Asbestos surveys are a legal requirement in many circumstances. This means working or occupying a building without one could be breaking the law. When do you need one, and when don’t you need one? You can find out when you need an asbestos survey, and why, in this blog post.
Asbestos surveys are a legal requirement in many circumstances. This means working or occupying a building without one could be breaking the law. You can find out when you need an asbestos survey, and why, in this blog post.
Knowing if there is asbestos is a building, and where, is the whole point of an asbestos survey. And knowing this could save your life. Asbestos kills thousands of people every year in the South Africa. Accidental exposure to asbestos usually happens when you didn’t know asbestos was there. And, once you have been exposed, it’s too late.
Whether you are just occupying a building, managing a building, using it for work, or carrying out construction work. You should first check if there has been an asbestos survey. If there hasn’t been one, you may need to get one carried out.
While there are legal requirements surrounding asbestos surveys, a survey might not always be required. So, what are the criteria for needing an asbestos survey? When do you need one, and when don’t you need one? According to the
- Asbestos Regulations GN R 155 dated 10 February 2002
An asbestos survey will be required if:
Scope of application
2. (1) Subject to subregulation (2), these Regulations apply to every employer and self-employed person who may expose any person to asbestos dust at the workplace.
(2) Regulations 5(2), 8(1), 9(4), 12(3)(d), 16(4), 17 and 23 do not apply to self-employed persons.
During an asbestos survey, an asbestos surveyor, who is an expert in knowing where asbestos is likely to be hidden, will look for asbestos materials. Samples can be taken and inspected at a laboratory, to determine exactly the type and quantity of asbestos present.
