ASBESTOS SURVEYORS

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 were revised to ensure that employees working within premises containing Asbestos are adequately protected during their employment.

Employers are now required to Manage any Asbestos materials within their premises and control work on these materials.
There are currently more than 3000 deaths a year from Asbestos related illness.
Within the Regulation 4 of the above a New Duty has been placed upon persons responsible for Non Domestic Premises.

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 came into force on the 21st November 2002, with Regulation 4 in place on 21st May 2004.

This Regulation 4 places a Duty on owners\persons responsible for Non Domestic premises to manage Asbestos within the premises.

The Regulation states:-

In order to enable him (the duty holder) to manage the risk of Asbestos in non-domestic premises, the duty holder shall ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out as to whether Asbestos is or is liable to be present in the premises.

The Duty Holder is required to:

• Assess whether premises contain Asbestos.
• Assess the risk from Asbestos.
• Take action to manage the risk from Asbestos.
  

Examples of Asbestos containing materials

• Sprayed or hand applied insulation – pipe lagging and fire protection.
• Insulation boards – ceilings and walls.
• Asbestos Cement panels – roof, walls, rainwater down pipes and flue pipes.
• Textured coatings – Artex walls and ceilings.
• Bitumen\Vinyl products – Marley tiles & roofing felt.
• Reinforced PVC & plastics – Toilet cisterns and battery cases

IF YOU DON’T MANAGE THE ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS IN YOUR PREMISES YOU COULD BE PUTTING YOUR EMPLOYEE’S AND OTHER PEOPLES HEALTH AT RISK.

Many insurance companies are now requiring that employers can demonstrate that an Asbestos Assessment has been carried out on their premise.