Concern about harmful repercussions that asbestos exposure can have on people has resulted in a stern regulatory regime regarding the use of this substance. All forms of asbestos other than white are forbidden by most governments. Even white asbestos is allowed only in some high priority areas. In the UK, the law makes it mandatory to conduct asbestos surveys of all buildings constructed or refurbished before the year 2000.
Asbestos surveys aim to detect the presence of asbestos in different parts of the building, especially inside the building materials. After the survey, it is critical to find a way to avoid contact with any materials that have been found to have asbestos. Materials, which are likely to degrade, are the most dangerous. These surveys also ensure that dangerous asbestos fibres are not allowed to escape into the atmosphere, thus posing a risk to the public.
Asbestos surveys falls under three major categories. In Type 1, all reasonably accessible areas (including lift shafts, service ducts etc) of a structure are assessed for presence of asbestos, assuming that all locations where asbestos has not been found absent must contain it.
The aim of a Type 2 survey is similar to the first type, but it often features a detailed analysis of any suspected materials in a lab.
In the third type of survey, the motive is to remove building parts that are found to contain asbestos. It is performed before any demolition or major refurbishment takes place, so that asbestos containing debris can be handled safely, without putting workers and nearby residents in danger.
Not conducting an asbestos survey where it is required by law can lead to a heavy fine for building owners and contractors in the UK. Moreover, for construction companies, not making efforts to minimise exposure to asbestos can lead to other problems like a loss of goodwill in the market.
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