Description
Alec Smith outlines the vital importance of asbestos management in construction and property inspections, emphasising RICS guidance, legal responsibilities under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and the need for proactive survey strategies to prevent health risks, project delays, and financial penalties.
Key Points:
- Legal Duties and Health Hazards:
- Asbestos exposure causes serious health issues such as lung disease and cancers.
- The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 mandates asbestos surveys, registers, and risk assessments, with legal obligations falling on duty holders (e.g., building owners, managers).
- Non-compliance can lead to prosecution, heavy fines, or enforcement actions.
- Survey Types and Project Risk:
- Management surveys monitor ACMs in-use; refurbishment/demolition surveys are intrusive and tailored to planned work.
- Failing to conduct the correct survey early can lead to unexpected discovery of asbestos, halting works and raising remediation costs.
- Surveys should be planned proactively, not reactively, last-minute inspections can miss hidden risks.
- Practical Compliance and Financial Relief:
- Buildings with RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) often overlap with asbestos risk, requiring integrated survey planning.
- Tax relief (up to 50%) is available for asbestos remediation, claimable retroactively for up to 3 years, boosting project viability.
- Proper air monitoring, removal protocols, and training for licensed/non-licensed work are essential for compliance and safety.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand legal and health obligations regarding asbestos under UK law and the consequences of mismanagement.
- Identify and distinguish between asbestos survey types and their relevance to different stages of construction and renovation.
- Apply practical strategies such as combined RAAC-asbestos inspections and tax relief claims to manage risks, reduce costs, and ensure safe working environments.
