Localised R&D Survey

We recently conducted yet another localised R&D survey at this single storey Victorian brick school building – Lee Brigg Primary School in Pontefract. This was carried out for one of our regular clients, a local building contractor who specialises in school refurbishment works.

Our job was to survey areas for ACMs that might be disturbed during upcoming refurbishment works to the school kitchen and surrounding areas. The survey was quick turnaround as the work needed to be carried out in the school holidays. Some significant asbestos-containing materials were found on the survey. As these needed to be removed prior to works being started, we advised the client to use our trusted asbestos removal contractor.

Asbestos-containing materials will commonly be disturbed during construction work, resulting in fibre release. When asbestos fibres enter your lungs, you are at risk of developing asbestos disease. How do you know if you have breathed asbestos in? There are no immediate effects, but there may be serious consequences in 20 years time.

We always recommend an asbestos R&D Survey (or in this case a localised R&D survey) if materials might disturbed as part of a refurbishment or demolition project. This includes refurbishment, maintenance, demolition, extensions and other construction activities.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 set out the Duty to Manage Asbestos in non-domestic properties. If you or your business are responsible for building maintenance and repairs, then you are the “Duty Holder”. Any commercial property built before the year 2000 may contain asbestos, and requires an asbestos register. This should be visible to employees or others who are working on site.