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The new regulation is flexible and allows for a variety of options to identify asbestos, depending on the circumstances. The first is the presumptive option, where you presume that all materials contain asbestos, unless there is strong evidence they do not. This option is suitable for smaller, less complex premises where no major maintenance or refurbishment work is planned. This would then require a full assessment and possible sampling of materials likely to be disturbed before any work could commence. Or alternatively materials would need to be worked on as if they contain asbestos and appropriate precautions taken. This could involve simple precautions for small jobs to more complex precautions involving licensed contractors.
The second option is to establish the identity of materials by sampling. Although experienced surveyors can often recognise most ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials) by sight, sampling and laboratory analysis is the only way to know for sure.
The third option is to conclude that you do not have ACMs, but this requires strong evidence. For example the building was constructed post 1999 by which time the use of all types of asbestos had been banned.
In most cases businesses are likely to use a combination of approaches. For example they might choose to survey and sample areas that are heavily populated or have high levels of maintenance, take the presumptive option for other areas and use strong evidence for others.
The Asbestos Group's surveying techniques meet all MDHS100 requirements and all samples are sent to UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited laboratories for independent impartial analysis, providing you with best possible service and results.
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