The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 requires asbestos to be identified and assessed. There is an explicit duty on the owner and the employer in occupation to manage the risks from asbestos in their premises.

Key to managing asbestos is to assess the extent to which the property is contaminated by asbestos containing materials (ACMs). This is performed through a specialist asbestos survey identifying the location, type, volume and condition of any ACMs.

Silverdell’s sister company Redhills is one of the UK’s leading asbestos consultancies with unsurpassed surveying and laboratory analytical capabilities. Recognised for the integrity, professionalism and independence of its approach, Redhills asbestos survey services are UKAS accredited to ISO 17020 for inspection and 17025 for testing and analysis.

HSE guidance note HSG 264 describes the two principal types of asbestos survey:

• Management Survey – undertaken to identify, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence, extent and condition of any suspect ACMs in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance and installation.
• Refurbishment and Demolition Survey - required before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. This survey locates and describes, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place, or in the whole building if demolition is planned. Such surveys are fully intrusive and involve destructive inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all areas. A refurbishment and demolition survey may also be required in other circumstances, e.g. when intrusive maintenance and repair work will be carried out or for plant removal and dismantling.

The type and scope of the survey most appropriate to your project will be decided with you during the survey-planning process. Whichever form of survey is decided upon, Redhills surveyors are highly experienced in managing all sizes of project from large developments to small-scale, soft strip-outs and equipment replacement works.

Redhills asbestos surveyors all hold a BOHS P402 certificate of competency and work collaboratively alongside your refurbishment or demolition team to ensure that the cost and impact on project timescales of managing asbestos risk are minimised – while ensuring your peace of mind and compliance with current regulations.

For further information on our asbestos survey services or to discuss your project contact Redhills on 01306 631820.