Asbestos was once heralded as a versatile and durable material, widely used in building construction and manufacturing throughout the 20th century. However, as scientific understanding of the material grew, so did awareness of its deadly health risks. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is now known to cause life-threatening diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Given these dangers, the importance of asbestos surveys cannot be overstated. Asbestos surveys are essential for identifying the presence of asbestos in buildings, managing the risks it poses, and ensuring the safety of workers, residents, and visitors.
This article will explore the key reasons why asbestos surveys are critical, from legal compliance and health protection to preventing future hazards.
Protecting Health and Safety
The most critical reason asbestos surveys are important is the protection of human health. Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and can become airborne when asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are disturbed. Once inhaled, these fibers can lodge in the lungs and remain there for years, causing irreversible damage to respiratory tissues. Diseases caused by asbestos exposure often take decades to manifest, and by the time they are diagnosed, treatment options may be limited.
The health risks associated with asbestos include:
Mesothelioma: A rare but aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. It is almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure and has a poor prognosis.
Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, especially in individuals who smoke.
Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, which leads to scarring of lung tissue and difficulty breathing.
Pleural Thickening: A condition in which the lining of the lungs thickens, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Conducting an asbestos survey can prevent exposure to these harmful fibers by identifying where asbestos is present and determining if it poses a risk. Buildings constructed before the 1980s are more likely to contain ACMs, making surveys in these older structures essential for anyone involved in construction, renovation, or demolition projects.
Legal Compliance
Many countries have enacted stringent regulations to control the use and management of asbestos, particularly in commercial and public buildings. In the UK, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 mandates that duty holders (such as property owners, employers, or building managers) must manage asbestos risks in non-domestic buildings. This includes conducting regular asbestos surveys to identify and assess the presence of asbestos-containing materials and taking steps to prevent exposure.
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have regulations that require asbestos surveys in buildings before renovation, demolition, or any activity that might disturb ACMs. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in heavy fines, legal liabilities, and even criminal charges, particularly if asbestos exposure leads to illness or death.
Asbestos surveys are essential for meeting legal requirements and avoiding these penalties. They provide documented evidence that a building has been inspected for asbestos and that appropriate measures are in place to manage any risks. By conducting surveys and adhering to regulations, property owners can demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to protect workers, occupants, and visitors from asbestos exposure.
Preventing Future Hazards
Asbestos surveys do more than address current risks—they also help prevent future hazards by identifying asbestos-containing materials that could become dangerous over time. While asbestos in good condition may not pose an immediate threat, it can deteriorate over the years, leading to the release of fibers into the air. Asbestos surveys provide valuable information about the location, condition, and type of ACMs in a building, allowing for proactive management to prevent future exposure.
For example, a management survey is designed to assess the condition of ACMs in a building and monitor them over time. If the asbestos is intact and unlikely to be disturbed, it may be left in place, with regular reinspection to ensure it remains safe. However, if the material is damaged or could be disturbed during future maintenance work, a more invasive survey, such as a refurbishment and demolition survey, may be required. This survey would involve inspecting hidden areas, such as behind walls or under floors, to identify any asbestos that could be released during construction.
By conducting regular asbestos surveys, property owners and managers can make informed decisions about asbestos management, whether that involves encapsulating the material to prevent fiber release or removing it entirely. These actions help to minimize future risks and ensure the safety of building occupants for years to come.
Watch the video above to learn more about why asbestos surveys in Kent are so important!
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