How To Write A Risk Assessment For Asbestos Management

If you are the person responsible for the management of a commercial building, or you own a domestic (or commercial) property, and you are worried that asbestos might be present, it is important that you immediately look to rectify the problem. Asbestos has been banned in the UK for many years, but it is still present in a high number of buildings and structures, and if disturbed, asbestos fibres can cause life-threatening illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

If you are concerned about the presence of asbestos in a building you own or manage, the Artisan Surveyors team can conduct an extensive asbestos survey, putting together a risk assessment for your needs.

There are a few steps you can take with an asbestos risk assessment:

• Identify the health risks – look at previous asbestos surveys, talk to people who use the building every day, locate all instances of asbestos containing materials, list the condition of all asbestos containing materials, as well as the risk of exposure.

• Plan for Action – take into account the number of people potentially exposed and the condition of the asbestos containing materials. Decide which materials can be left alone, which materials can be repaired and covered up securely, and which materials need to be removed entirely from the building.

• Record and Act – Once the plan has been made it is important to write down an extensive account of the assessment and the planned action (including exact dates and locations for future reference), before moving on to the implementation of the plan, whether this is removal or repair of asbestos containing materials.

For more information contact Artisan Surveyors on 02380 982 598