Asbestos - Frequently Asked Questions

The law; Every non-domestic property owner has a duty of responsibility to know if and where there are ACMs, as well as the type of asbestos the building has and if possible what volume and condition it is in. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Regulation 4) requires every industrial or commercial property owner of a building (constructed before the year 2000) to assume a legal responsibility to have an up to date asbestos register, policies for dealing with asbestos and the management processes for dealing with asbestos remediation projects.

We are finding increasingly that there are a number of other non legislative requirements behind instructing West Four to carry out Asbestos Management Surveys. It may be a prerequisite of your Insurer, Lender, or for general valuation purposes.

The Asbestos Register is a document that lists all identified (or presumed) asbestos in a workplace. The Asbestos Register must record any asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACM) that has been identified or is likely to be present at the workplace from time to time.The Asbestos Register is not a general database that everyone can access. The information within the report is specifically for the use of our clients and is not shared with any other party.

West Four’s Asbestos Surveyors/Consultants are well seasoned, usually with 10+ years or above in the industry. We follow guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSG 264) working in a professional and safe manner. Small samples may be collected during the survey process. It has been proven and well documented that the collection of samples in a controlled and safe method do not cause any risk to the Surveyor of inhabitants if the property. If necessary occupants may be asked to vacate an area for a short period to enable our staff to carry out their duties in a safe manner. It’s always very hard to tell how long a survey will take.

The law; Every non-domestic property owner has a duty of responsibility to know if and where there are ACMs, as well as the type of asbestos the building has and if possible what volume and condition it is in. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Regulation 4) requires every industrial or commercial property owner of a building (constructed before the year 2000) to assume a legal responsibility to have an up to date asbestos register, policies for dealing with asbestos and the management processes for dealing with asbestos remediation projects.

In the case of domestic properties it must be considered is that when you (as the employer) send a maintenance worker over the threshold of a domestic property, it ceases to be a home, and becomes a place of work.

Regulation 5 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 which clearly states that:

An employer must not undertake work in demolition, maintenance or any other work which exposes or is liable to expose employees of that employer to asbestos in respect of any premises unless either:

(a) that employer has carried out a suitable and sufficient assessment as to whether asbestos, what type of asbestos, contained in what material and in what condition is present or is liable to be present in those premises; or
(b) if there is doubt as to whether asbestos is present in those premises, that employer—
(i) assumes that asbestos is present, and that it is not Chrysotile alone, and
(ii) observes the applicable provisions of these Regulations.

The Asbestos Register is a document that lists all identified (or presumed) asbestos in a workplace. The Asbestos Register must record any asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACM) that has been identified or is likely to be present at the workplace from time to time.The Asbestos Register is not a general database that everyone can access. The information within the report is specifically for the use of our clients and is not shared with any other party.

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys are intrusive and aggressive in nature. The building should be in an unoccupied state. It’s always very hard to tell how long a survey will take. We allow a minimum of a day for most R&D surveys.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the national accreditation body for the United Kingdom. UKAS is recognised by government, to assess against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. All of West Four’s sample analysis is always carried out by an external UKAS accredited lab. West Four itself does not hold UKAS accreditation on the basis that it is a highly expensive accreditation to achieve and maintain. All of our Asbestos Surveyor/Consultants have worked for UKAS accredited firms within our career paths. We continue to use these skill sets, maintaining integrality and professionalism at all times. We are regularly audited by leading external auditors (who Audit for UKAS and UKATA). We can pass on these large cost savings to our clients as the asbestos survey does not have to be carried out by a UKAS accredited firm. We are affiliate members of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). Our references and referrals speak for themselves as I am sure you will see.

If you have any unanswered questions the Health and Safety Executive Website is an excellent resource. You can also feel free to give us a call or drop us a line with your query.

There is a specific requirement in CAR 2012 (Regulation 7) for all ACMs to be removed as far as reasonably practicable before major refurbishment or final demolition. Removing ACMs is also appropriate in other smaller refurbishment situations which involve structural or layout changes to buildings (e.g. removal of partitions, walls, units etc.). The survey report should be supplied by the client to designers and contractors who may be bidding for the work, so that the asbestos risks can be addressed. West Four have the resources and ability to assist you with all of your Asbestos remediation requirements.

If you own or are responsible for a commercial building and you fail to manage the asbestos correctly you could expose individuals to asbestos fibres resulting in a prosecution and imprisonment.