Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question about dealing with asbestos? Read on to view our answers to some commonly asked questions. If we haven’t answered your query here, or if you’d like more information, please contact us.
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I am responsible for managing our buildings. I understand that I now have a duty to manage asbestos at the sites. What does this mean for me?
If you’re a landlord or you manage buildings for commercial or industrial use, you need to be aware that your duty to manage asbestos is a legal requirement under the control of CAR 2012 regulation 4.
This means that as well as assessing the presence and condition of any asbestos-containing materials, you must also effectively manage any asbestos which is found. While this may appear daunting, with the right support it is more straightforward than you might think. Contact us to book a free no-obligation on-site appointment. -
I’ve just bought a property – how likely is it that it contains asbestos?
Asbestos can potentially be found in any commercial or domestic building built or refurbished before the year 2000. Asbestos may have been used in pipes, lagging, water tanks, ceilings, floor tiles and other areas.
While the risks are significant, it is easier than you might think to identify and deal with asbestos.
The key is to get the right professional help as soon as possible. We can tell you more about asbestos surveys and other management services in a free consultation. Please get in touch to find out more. -
What is an asbestos survey and how do I know if I need one?
An asbestos survey is an effective way to help you manage asbestos at your premises.
The survey will provide you with accurate information about the presence, type, condition and quantities of asbestos.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, there is now a duty to manage the risk from asbestos. You are not legally obliged to have an asbestos survey, but it is highly recommended. -
I have heard about recent changes to the laws around asbestos. How does this affect our organisation?
Under the 2012 Control of Asbestos regulations, organisations are required to legally comply with and address issues such as risk management, assessing risks to employees and asbestos awareness. We can advise you on the most cost effective and risk-free way to achieve this, from the control of asbestos regulations to ways to reduce the cost of managing asbestos in your properties.
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Do I have to have a survey done every year?
No, this is not required, providing that you manage the asbestos in accordance with CAR 2012 Regulations. You should ensure that you have a clear plan for managing the asbestos and use appropriate labelling, permit to work and regular inspection.
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I’ve been asked to assess potential asbestos-related issues for our company. Where do I start?
With the right help, dealing with asbestos is more straightforward than you might think. The starting point is to get advice from qualified, experienced professionals. If you think this would benefit you, please contact us today for a free no-obligation appointment.
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Is an asbestos survey expensive?
There are two ways to look at this. Asbestos surveys, whether undertaken for ongoing management of the property, or as a asbestos refurbishment or asbestos demolition survey that exists to identify Asbestos materials in advance of refurbishment or demolition works do have a finite cost which clearly adds to the ongoing costs of a building. This cost can be into the thousands if a large or complex building or site, or as little as £200 or so for a small domestic property.
However the true cost that should be looked at is the cost of NOT undertaking a survey. If an asbestos survey is not undertaken and subsequent works are undertaken without a suitable asbestos report in place, the costs could vary from delays from non identified asbestos containing materials to prosecution from the Health and Safety Executive or accidental exposure to asbestos dusts. This may even apply when an asbestos management survey is used instead of a refurbishment / demolition survey in advance of these works.
So the question is not how expensive it is to do an asbestos survey, its how expensive it could be if an asebstos survey is not undertaken! -
Do i need to do an asbestos survey in my post 2000 built property?
Commercial property: responsibilities of business tenants
It is a commonly held belief that an asbestos survey is required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (or CAR for short). This is untrue, as the Regulations, last enacted in April 2012, are quite specific that the duty is to MANAGE asbestos in premises. This of course may be achieved through the use of a survey, however the survey should be a part of the undertakings necessary to achieve compliance with the Regulation.
Duty to manage asbestos in premises
Whoever is responsible for maintaining all or part of business premises must also manage any asbestos in the premises.
Depending on the terms of your lease, this could be you or your landlord or managing agent. In the event that maintenance responsibilities aren't clearly specified, the legal duty rests with the party which has the greatest degree of control over the premises.
If you hold this legal duty, you must:
1. Take reasonable steps to determine the location and condition of materials likely to contain asbestos. You may need to use the services of an external surveyor, alternately you should presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not.
2. Keep an up-to-date record of the location and condition of the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) or presumed ACMs in the premises, including an assessment of the risk of the likelihood of anyone being exposed to fibres from these materials. Make sure that material is analysed for asbestos content in accordance with ISO17025, which sets standards for both quality management and technical requirements in laboratories
3. Prepare a plan setting out how the risks from the materials are to be managed, and take the necessary steps to put the plan into action. You should also review and monitor the plan periodically.
4. Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.
Remember that even if you aren't legally responsible for managing asbestos risks in your premises, you have a duty to co-operate with the party who is. You must allow the landlord or managing agent access to the premises to conduct inspections. If you have the responsibility, your landlord must disclose relevant information.
So for a post 2000 constructed building, the need for a survey is unlikely, but there is a requirement to have a management plan detailing the age and construction methods used in the building, which can then be provided to contractors etc when they access a site to undertake their work. This may seem a strange document to create, but as an example here in Derby the Pride Park region was commenced construction in the 1990's and is still being developed, so it is possble that some buildings have the potential to have asebstos and yet appear very similar in construction to more modern structures.
Alverprise Limited employs consultants with the skills, competencies and experience to achieve these requirements with minimal disruption to the business. This includes the actual survey, plus assisting in creation of management plans, developing training programmes thus ensuring such risks are managed out.
