Understanding the Importance of Conducting an Asbestos Survey
Asbestos is known to have a severe impact on the health of individuals who come in contact with it. Most buildings constructed before the year 2000 are likely to contain asbestos, and therefore, it is essential to conduct an asbestos survey before any demolition or refurbishment work. An asbestos survey is a thorough examination of a building or structure to identify whether or not asbestos-containing materials are present. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of conducting an asbestos survey and why it should never be overlooked.
To Ensure Safety and Health of Workers
The first and foremost reason for conducting an asbestos survey is to ensure the safety and health of workers involved in the demolition or refurbishment process. The presence of asbestos in a building can lead to serious health issues such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Workers who come in contact with asbestos-containing materials are at high risk of developing these diseases. Therefore, it is essential to conduct an asbestos survey to identify the presence of asbestos and take necessary safety measures to protect the workers on the site.
To Avoid Legal and Financial Liabilities
Conducting an asbestos survey is not just important for the workers’ safety but also to avoid legal and financial liabilities. Failing to identify the presence of asbestos in a building can lead to severe legal consequences and fines. If any worker develops an illness due to asbestos exposure and it is found out that asbestos surveys were not conducted, the company can be held liable. Therefore, it is essential to conduct an asbestos survey before starting any renovation or demolition project to avoid legal and financial liabilities.
To Ensure Responsibly Managed Asbestos Removal
Once an asbestos survey has been conducted and asbestos-containing materials are identified, a responsible removal process can be initiated. Asbestos removal should be carried out by trained and licensed professionals who can safely and effectively remove the asbestos from the building without posing any risk to the workers or the environment. By conducting an asbestos survey, a responsible and safe asbestos removal process can be ensured.
To Preserve the Environment
Asbestos is a hazardous material and must be disposed of safely to protect the environment. Conducting an asbestos survey can identify the presence of asbestos in a building and allow for proper disposal of the material. Failure to dispose of asbestos correctly can lead to soil and groundwater contamination, which can have a severe impact on the environment and public health. Conducting an asbestos survey can ensure that asbestos is safely removed and disposed of, thereby preserving the environment.
To Secure Property Value
Lastly, conducting an asbestos survey can help secure the value of the property. Failure to identify the presence of asbestos can lead to the delay of renovation or refurbishment work. Any delay in work can lead to increased expenses and a decrease in the property’s value. By conducting an asbestos survey, any asbestos-containing materials can be identified and removed before starting any renovation work. This ensures that the value of the property remains intact and any work can be carried out quickly and efficiently.
Asbestos is a material widely used in building construction until the 1970s. Unfortunately, it presents extreme health hazards to both humans and animals when inhaled or ingested. With the increasing concerns over its carcinogenic properties, governments have enacted laws to promote safe removal of asbestos from buildings or prevent exposure to it. Any building constructed before the 1980s may contain asbestos, so it’s essential to conduct an asbestos survey to identify its presence. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of asbestos surveys and why you should consider one for your properties.
Prevents exposure to asbestos
Asbestos has been responsible for numerous illnesses and deaths, mainly due to exposure to it over an extended period. When inhaled, asbestos fibers are known to accumulate in the lungs and lead to respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, among others. Identifying asbestos-containing materials through an asbestos survey ensures their safe removal and disposal, therefore, minimizing exposure to it and preventing these health effects.
Ensures compliance with laws and regulations
Asbestos surveys are mandatory requirements for commercial and industrial buildings and also for residential properties that are frequently renovated. The purpose of an asbestos survey is to assess the risk of exposure to asbestos fibers, identify areas that contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), assign priority to the materials that need immediate management, and produce a record of all ACM’s location and condition. Compliance with the laws and regulations is necessary to avoid legal action against property owners.
Saves money and time
Conducting an asbestos survey can be an upfront cost, but it saves you money in the long-term. Identifying and handling asbestos before carrying out a renovation or demolition project can prevent potential dangers, hence avoiding additional costs from improper disposal, rework, or legal action. Additionally, an asbestos survey enables property owners and contractors to anticipate asbestos situations and allow for the proper planning and management of asbestos-containing materials. This minimizes delays or unexpected costs during project implementation, resulting in increased efficiency, smooth project delivery, and cost savings.
Protects property users and workers’ health
As mentioned earlier, asbestos exposure poses significant health risks. It’s imperative to identify and manage the materials to prevent exposure among the building occupants and construction workers. By conducting an asbestos survey, it’s possible to develop management procedures such as encapsulation or removal to control and reduce the chances of asbestos exposure further. This ensures the safety of property users and workers and prevents the possibility of contamination to adjacent properties.
Facilitates informed decision-making
An asbestos survey provides comprehensive information regarding the presence, location, and condition of asbestos-containing materials in a building. This information is essential when making property management decisions such as renovation, demolition, sale, or leasing. With the data from the survey, property owners can make informed decisions that adequately address asbestos issues, ensure compliance with regulations, avoid legal action, and mitigate the health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, conducting an asbestos survey is an essential part of any demolition or refurbishment work. It helps ensure the safety and health of workers, avoid legal and financial liabilities, ensure a responsibly managed asbestos removal process, preserve the environment, and secure property value. The cost of conducting an asbestos survey is nothing compared to the impact it can have on the lives of people involved in a project and the environment. Therefore, it should never be overlooked or taken lightly. Safety is paramount, and an asbestos survey can help ensure the safety of everyone involved in the project.
In summary, carrying out an asbestos survey gives building owners and contractors relevant information regarding asbestos-containing materials and appropriate measures to take to control or remove them. The survey protects the health of building occupants and workers, saves time and money, ensures compliance with regulations, and facilitates informed decision-making. Asbestos is a highly dangerous material, and therefore, it’s crucial to consider an asbestos survey for any property constructed before the 1980s. Contact a licensed asbestos surveyor today to book a survey for your property and ensure safety for all.