Non-domestic premises are required to manage the risk from asbestos. The duty holder must ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out as to whether asbestos is or is liable to be present in the premises.
There are two main types of survey:
More information is available via the following link Asbestos - Duty to manage (hseni.gov.uk)
Information from the survey reports should be used to create an asbestos register, the register should contain details of the locations of the ACMs, their extent and condition and their forms (e.g. the product type – tiles, boards, cement sheets) and what the ACM looks like. A management plan should also be documented detailing how the risks from asbestos are to be managed.
The asbestos register, should be available before any work commences and no work should start unless an up to date survey/asbestos register is available and checked.
Low risk asbestos containing materials, such as Asbestos cement, are only considered a low risk material provided it remains intact and in good condition. The asbestos fibres are tightly bound in the structural makeup and will not be released unless it becomes damaged or broken.
Other low risk materials include asbestos containing vinyl floor tiles, adhesive, roofing felt and textured paint (ARTEX) providing they remain intact and in good condition.
Low risk materials can be removed or handled by competent contractors providing they follow the guidelines within the Asbestos Essentials which will prevent release of airborne fibre.
If low risk asbestos containing materials need to be sealed, encapsulated or removed then an unlicensed but competent and trained contractor can carry out this work using the Asbestos Essentials guidance.
High risk asbestos containing materials such as sprayed asbestos/limpet, thermal insulation on pipe work, asbestos ropes and packing, asbestos insulating boards and ceiling tiles all contain a high percentage of asbestos fibres. The fibres are not tightly bound within the matrix and therefore there is a significant risk of fibres becoming airborne, especially when the material is damaged or disturbed. Further information is available at Asbestos: The licensed contractors’ guide.
The HSE have produced an interactive diagram which illustrates where asbestos may be found.
If high risk asbestos containing materials need to be sealed, encapsulated or removed this work must only be undertaken by a licensed contractor.
Remember, all asbestos waste is classified as hazardous and is required to be bagged, sealed and stored to specified standards and has to be brought to Licensed Landfill/transfer station for disposal.
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