Asbestos for Surveyors

For the last quarter of a century asbestos in buildings has been the single largest cause of ill-health and death in the workplace. It will continue to be a problem for at least another decade and probably longer. Those most at risk are maintenance workers, who may disturb asbestos-containing materials in their premises. Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 require employers to assess whether asbestos is likely to be present in their buildings, and, if so, to produce a management plan which will ensure that asbestos containing materials in their premises are kept in a safe state and are not disturbed. To enable employers (or dutyholders) to produce an effective asbestos management plan for their premises, they need surveyors to provide accurate and comprehensive records and assessments of the asbestos materials in their premises. This book provides practical assistance to surveyors, with technical information on asbestos and its properties and applications in building materials. It discusses some of the reasons why the Health and Safety Executive are anxious to see asbestos materials in buildings managed properly and covers the current legislation on asbestos. It reviews aspects of the training for surveyors and accreditation by UKAS which will almost certainly become a requirement when the current regulations are revised. In addition it contains information on the preparation for surveying buildings, the procedures for conducting surveys for asbestos and the sampling techniques which produce representative samples collected in a safe manner. The book offers theoretical and practical assistance which supplements the technical guidance from the HSE, such as MDHS 100 and HSG 227.Sanderson, Bill is the author of 'Asbestos for Surveyors ', published 2004 under ISBN 9780728204522 and ISBN 0728204525.