Asbestos

Following amendments to the Control of Asbestos Regulations, 2006 which states that all non-domestic premises have a duty to manage asbestos, you will be aware that we have been in negotiation with a fully accredited company, Asbestos Surveying Industries Ltd, to secure discounts for such surveys for practices within the Wessex LMCs area (and many thanks to all of you for completing the questionnaire we sent out earlier in the year to assess the potential need). Buildings or building works after 1990 will not have included asbestos and should have a certificate from the developer or builder confirming this to be the case.

The major points of note are that from 2006, premises are required to have had an appropriate survey undertaken in order to manage asbestos and if inspected by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) and found to be lacking in this area, they may be subject to a substantial fine

There are two types of Asbestos survey:

Management Survey (T2): The Asbestos Management Survey aims to locate, as far as is reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos containing materials which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy of the areas surveyed. The survey process may require minor intrusive work to inspect, under floor coverings, above false ceilings, inside risers, service ducts and lift shafts. The level of intrusion will attempt to be in keeping with the type of maintenance or installation work likely in that area (e.g. installation of new cabling or equipment). The surveyor is required to record any access limitations. Relevant areas which could not be accessed (e.g. rooms or areas inside rooms) are recorded as such and presumed to contain asbestos. Any other areas not accessed must also be presumed to contain asbestos.
Refurbishment and Demolition Survey (T3): This survey aims to locate, as far as is reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspected asbestos containing materials in the area where major refurbishment work will take place or in the whole building if demolition is planned. In order to achieve the purpose of this type of survey it is usually necessary for the surveyor to use destructive inspection. This process will require destructive work using hand tools in order to gain access to and inspect areas which will be disturbed by the forthcoming work. The surveyor will ensure adequate treatment to seal sample points and ensure fibre release is prevented .

Practices who have undertaken major refurbishment programmes since 2003 where the work has included some demolition work to the existing premises should be in possession of a Refurbishment/demolition survey documentation.

In addition to a survey, the HSE have identified that to fulfill legal requirements, each practice will be required to have: