When Did Domestic Asbestos Surveys Commence In Devon?

Asbestos is a hazardous material that was widely used in construction in the UK from the 1950s until it was banned in 1999. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Consequently, the UK government introduced regulations to control and manage asbestos in buildings. This includes the duty to undertake an asbestos survey before carrying out any demolition or refurbishment work on buildings built before 2000. In this article, we will discuss the history of asbestos surveys in Devon and how Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon can help you with your asbestos survey requirements.

The Danger of Asbestos

Asbestos is the term used for a group of naturally occurring minerals that were used in construction for their strength, flexibility and thermal insulation properties. Asbestos was used in a wide range of building materials, including insulation, tiles, roofing, and pipes. When building materials containing asbestos are disturbed, either through cutting, drilling or other means, asbestos fibres are released into the air.

When these fibres are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs, causing serious health problems such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Asbestos-related diseases can take years, even decades, to develop, and there is no cure. This is why managing asbestos in buildings is so important.

Asbestos Surveys: A Legal Duty

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) states that it is the responsibility of the building owner or occupier to manage asbestos in their premises. For those who are planning demolition or refurbishment work, it is a legal requirement to have an asbestos survey conducted before any work commences.

The purpose of the survey is to identify the presence, location and condition of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in your building. This information is then used to create an asbestos management plan, which outlines how to manage asbestos safely in the building.

Types of Asbestos Surveys

There are two types of asbestos surveys: management surveys and refurbishment/demolition surveys.

Management Surveys

A management survey is required to identify, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and location of any ACMs in a building that could potentially be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance and installation work.

Refurbishment/Demolition Surveys

A refurbishment/demolition survey is required before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. This type of survey is a more intrusive inspection and is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place.

History of Asbestos Surveys in Devon

Asbestos was widely used in construction throughout the UK and, as a result, many buildings in Devon still contain asbestos. The first regulations to control asbestos were introduced in the 1980s, but it was not until the late 1990s and early 2000s that asbestos surveys became more widespread. In 2004, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) introduced the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR), which made it a legal requirement to manage asbestos in all non-domestic premises.

In 2012, the HSE introduced the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012). These regulations replaced the previous regulations and expanded the duty to manage asbestos to include all non-domestic and residential premises. The regulations also introduced new requirements for refurbishment and demolition surveys.

Asbestos Survey Management

Asbestos survey management is a critical process in ensuring the safety of those working on or inhabiting a building. Asbestos surveys provide vital information on the location and condition of any asbestos-containing materials. This information can then be used to create a management plan that outlines how to manage asbestos safely.

The management plan should include details of any ACMs in the building, their condition, and any risks associated with them. It should also include details of any work that needs to be carried out to manage or remove the asbestos. Regular inspections and updates to the management plan should be conducted to ensure that the plan remains current and effective.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon

Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is an asbestos survey company in Devon that provides high-quality asbestos survey services at affordable prices. Our team of experienced surveyors are equipped with the latest equipment and training to carry out management and refurbishment/demolition surveys.

We understand the importance of managing asbestos in buildings to ensure the safety of those within them. That is why we provide comprehensive asbestos survey reports that are easy to read and understand. Our reports include detailed information on any ACMs found in the building, their location, and condition. We also provide recommendations on how to manage or remove the asbestos and can assist with the management process if required.

Contact us today to discuss your asbestos survey requirements. Our phone number is 01962 458066, and our email is [email protected]. Our website, affordable-asbestos-removal-devon.co.uk, provides further information on our services, including our competitive pricing. Let us help you manage asbestos in your building so that you can have peace of mind knowing that the safety of those within it is assured.