Who Is Responsible For Asbestos Removal In Devon?

If you own or manage a building or premises within Devon, South West England, it's important to understand your responsibilities when it comes to asbestos removal. Asbestos is a highly hazardous material that was once widely used in the construction industry due to its durable and flame-retardant properties. However, asbestos has been linked to serious health conditions, including mesothelioma and asbestosis, and has been banned in the UK since 1999.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is an asbestos removal company based in Devon, with a team of skilled professionals who are experienced in the safe removal and disposal of asbestos. We understand that asbestos removal can be a daunting and complex process, and our aim is to provide affordable and efficient services that put your mind at ease.

In this landing page, we will discuss who is responsible for asbestos removal in Devon and what duties must be fulfilled to ensure the safe management of asbestos in buildings and premises.

Duty to Manage Asbestos

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 stipulates that duty-holders are responsible for managing asbestos in non-domestic premises. A duty-holder is defined as anyone who has an obligation of control over the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises or has control over access to non-domestic premises. This includes:

• Building owners
• Building occupiers
• Property managers
• Facilities managers
• Landlords

The duty to manage asbestos requires duty-holders to take reasonable steps to identify and manage asbestos within the premises. This involves carrying out a thorough asbestos survey to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within the building or premises.

Asbestos Survey

An asbestos survey is a detailed inspection of a building or premises to identify any ACMs that may be present. Asbestos surveys should only be carried out by competent surveyors who have the necessary qualifications and experience.

There are two types of asbestos survey:

Management Survey

A management survey is the standard type of survey that is required for managing asbestos in non-domestic premises. The purpose of the survey is to identify any ACMs that may be present and to assess the risk of exposure to asbestos.

The survey report will include a record of the location, condition, and extent of any ACMs that were found, as well as a risk assessment of each ACM. The report will also provide recommendations for managing the asbestos, such as encapsulation, removal, or monitoring.

Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

A refurbishment/demolition survey is required when a building or premises is going to be refurbished or demolished. The purpose of the survey is to identify any ACMs that may be disturbed during the refurbishment or demolition works.

The survey report will include a record of the location, condition, and extent of any ACMs that were found, as well as recommendations for their safe removal prior to the refurbishment or demolition works.

Asbestos Removal

If ACMs are identified during an asbestos survey, the duty-holder has a legal obligation to manage the asbestos in a safe manner. Depending on the condition and extent of the ACMs, the duty-holder may consider encapsulation, removal, or monitoring as a management option.

Asbestos removal must only be carried out by a licensed asbestos removal contractor who has the necessary training, experience, and equipment to safely remove and dispose of the asbestos. The contractor must comply with strict guidelines and regulations regarding the safe removal and disposal of asbestos, including the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Duty to Manage Asbestos in Domestic Premises

While the duty to manage asbestos primarily applies to non-domestic premises, there is still a duty to manage asbestos in domestic premises. The duty-holder for domestic premises depends on the type of occupancy:

• Owner-occupied the owner of the property is the duty-holder
• Rented the landlord is the duty-holder
• Council-owned the local council is the duty-holder
• Housing association-owned the housing association is the duty-holder

The duty to manage asbestos in domestic premises requires the duty-holder to take reasonable steps to identify and manage asbestos within the premises. This involves carrying out an asbestos survey to identify any ACMs that may be present.

If ACMs are identified, the duty-holder has a legal obligation to manage the asbestos in a safe manner. This may involve encapsulation, removal, or monitoring of the ACMs.

Responsibility for Asbestos Management

Ultimately, the responsibility for asbestos management lies with the duty-holder. The duty-holder must take reasonable steps to identify and manage asbestos within the premises, including carrying out an asbestos survey and implementing an asbestos management plan.

If the duty-holder fails to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, they may be legally accountable for any harm caused by asbestos exposure on the premises. This can include prosecution and significant financial penalties.

Implementing Asbestos Management

If you are a duty-holder for a building or premises in Devon, it is essential to take reasonable steps to manage asbestos in a safe and efficient manner. This involves implementing an asbestos management plan that includes regular asbestos surveys, monitoring of any identified ACMs, and safe removal and disposal when necessary.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is a licensed and professional asbestos removal company that can provide you with affordable and efficient asbestos management services in Devon. Our team is dedicated to providing safe and reliable asbestos removal services that put your mind at ease.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you own or manage a building or premises in Devon, it is important to understand your responsibilities when it comes to asbestos removal. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 sets out clear guidelines for duty-holders to identify and manage ACMs within non-domestic and domestic premises.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is a trusted and reliable asbestos removal company that can help you to manage asbestos safely and efficiently in Devon. Contact us today to find out more about our affordable asbestos removal services.