HSE publishes guidance on how to survey buildings for asbestos
HSE publishes guidance on how to survey buildings for asbestosKeywords: Health and safety,Information services, Asbestos
The Health and Safety Executive has published guidance on how to survey workplace premises for asbestos-containing materials and how to record the results.
Surveying, Sampling and Assessment of Asbestos-containing Materialshas been produced as a standard for people carrying out or commissioning asbestos surveys in buildings. The guidance is part of the Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances series and is known as MDHS 100. It is an important part of the HSE's overall strategy to prevent people from dying from asbestos-related diseases and will complement existing guidance on asbestos.
MDHS 100 contains advice on assessing a workplace.
The key elements are:
locating the extent and nature of any asbestos;
assessing the condition of the material in order to determine whether it presents a risk;
recording the information in a clear and easily usable form.
The guidance describes three different levels of survey of varying degrees of intensity, which can be carried out on a building. Some surveys may involve collecting representative samples of suspect materials for laboratory identification, whilst others may rely on studies of building plans or other information sources. To assist users of the guidance, it gives advice on which type of survey is most appropriate for particular situations.
Anyone undertaking asbestos surveys or samples should have appropriate training and experience, and be able to demonstrate independence, impartiality and integrity.
It also stresses the importance of adequate quality assurance procedures, for the individual or organisation carrying out the survey, in order to achieve consistently high standards.
The guidance contains a wealth of information about where asbestos can be found in buildings, and a number of photographs have been included to assist surveyors in carrying out their work.
Bill Macdonald, Head of HSE's Asbestos Policy Unit, said: "Regulations due to be brought in shortly require over a million commercial buildings in the UK to be surveyed for asbestos. It is vital that surveys carried out are done to a recognised standard if we are to ensure that money is not wasted on poor quality surveys that do little to protect people from the deadly effects of asbestos fibres. This guidance is a crucial part of the strategy to make sure that doesn't happen."
Copies of Surveying, Sampling and Assessment of Asbestos-contain Materials,Ref. MDHS 100, ISBN 0 7176 2076 X, price £18.00 can be ordered online at: http://hsebooks.co.uk or are available from:HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: +44 (0)1787 881165; Fax:+44 (0)1787 313995. HSE priced publications are also available from all good bookshops.
