Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. It is a category 1 human carcinogen – a substance that is known to cause cancer.

If you breathe in asbestos fibres, you may increase the risk of several serious diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos is the biggest workplace killer with over 5000 asbestos related deaths each year at the time of writing*

Management survey – An asbestos management survey is used to locate the presence and extent of ACMs in a building for normal occupational and building maintenance.

Refurbishment survey – A pre-refurbishment asbestos survey is required before you carry out any refurbishment work such as removal of walls, ceilings or floors, intrusive works such as drilling, grinding, roof works or waterproofing etc.

Demolition survey – you will need to have a pre-demolition asbestos survey completed before any demolition work takes place whether full or partial demolition.

ACMs should only be removed if absolutely necessary – for example; If they are in poor condition and cannot be repaired or made safe, if they are likely to be disturbed as part of a refurbishment or demolition project, or if they are being disturbed by building dilapidation such as subsidy or exposure to weather.

If you need to dispose of asbestos from your own domestic property please contact your local waste and recycling centre – most local waste and recycling centres accept bonded asbestos waste. Asbestos must be double wrapped in heavy duty plastic wrapping (ideally 1000gauge polythene) – or heavy-duty rubble sacks if the cement-bonded asbestos is contained, double wrapped and sealed within the bags. Asbestos must disposed of correctly and must not be disposed of with general building waste.

There are 6 types of Asbestos usually split into 2 groups; Asbestos is generally divided into two sub-groups; serpentine and amphiboles. Serpentine asbestos (chrysotile or white asbestos) was the most commonly used type of asbestos. The 6 types of asbestos are;

· Actinolite

· Amosite

· Anthophyllite

· Chrysotile

· Crocidolite

· Tremolite

If you own or are in charge of a property built before the year 2000, it may have asbestos containing materials (ACMs). An asbestos survey aims to:

· provide accurate information on the location, amount and condition of ACMs.

· assess the level of any damage or deterioration of the ACMs and whether remedial action is required

· provide information to produce an asbestos register and an asbestos management plan for the premises

· identify hidden ACMs to be removed before refurbishment work or demolition

A thorough inspection of the premises will take place as part of your asbestos survey.

The survey has to provide sufficient information for a risk assessment, asbestos register and management plan to be prepared, including photographic images to support our inspection data. The survey is likely to involve sampling and analysis to confirm the presence or

absence of ACMs. This means that depending on the type of survey you require, controlled damage to the premises will be likely.

It is not advised that you attempt to remove asbestos yourself unless you have the correct training and experience do so. Asbestos only poses a risk when it becomes airborne by being disturbed or damaged. If your asbestos is in good condition, it is safer (if it will not be disturbed) to leave the asbestos in situ and simply manage & monitor it.

If you are concerned about possible exposure to asbestos from work activities, you are advised to consult your GP and ask for a note to be made in your personal record about possible exposure, including date(s), duration, type of asbestos and likely exposure levels (if known). In some circumstances, your GP may refer you to a specialist in respiratory medicine. Asbestos-related damage to the lungs takes years to develop and become visible on chest X-rays. X-ray examinations cannot indicate whether or not asbestos fibres have been inhaled.