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Asbestos Surveys – For Health and Safety

Numerous studies proving the harmful effects that asbestos can have on human health have meant that its use, even in commercial applications, is now governed by stringent laws. All forms of asbestos other than white are forbidden by most governments. Even white asbestos is allowed only in some high priority areas. In the United Kingdom, it is a legal requirement to conduct asbestos surveys for all structures built or renovated before 2000.

Asbestos surveys look into the possibility of asbestos presence in construction materials used in the building. After the survey, it is critical to find a way to avoid contact with any materials that have been found to have asbestos. Materials, which are likely to degrade, are the most dangerous. These surveys also ensure that dangerous asbestos fibres are not allowed to escape into the atmosphere, thus posing a risk to the public.

Asbestos surveys can be divided into three types. In Type 1, all reasonably accessible areas (including lift shafts, service ducts etc) of a structure are assessed for presence of asbestos, assuming that all locations where asbestos has not been found absent must contain it.

A Type 2 survey is conducted with the same objective as a Type 1 survey, but it often involves a laboratory examination of samples.

In the third type of survey, the motive is to remove building parts that are found to contain asbestos. It is carried out ahead of demolition or renovation of a structure, in order to manage the rubble carefully without risking the lives of workers or residents because of stray asbestos fibres.

Building owners in UK can face a huge penalty if they fail to conduct an asbestos survey where the law asks for it. The repercussions of not taking enough actions to minimize asbestos risk are not just monetary, as it can lead to irreparable damage to the brand and credibility of a company.

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