Asbestos

Asbestos is the name given to naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are contained within rock and mined in many countries, asbestos has a number of valuable properties including physical strength, resistance to chemicals, non-combustibility and good thermal and electrical insulation.

It is due to these properties that asbestos has been widely used in industry for a range of applications. However, when asbestos is disturbed or damaged, the fibres can be released into the air and inhaled, which creates a risk to human health.

It is estimated that Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) may be present in up to half a million premises in the UK and could represent a health risk if the materials are not properly identified and managed. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAR) were introduced in order to address the risks involved.

Property owners, occupiers and managers have a legal duty to record the location and condition of asbestos and presumed asbestos containing materials (ACMs) under the CAWR.

This duty is currently restricted to non-domestic premises and the communal areas of tenanted domestic premises.

Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB) ceiling tiles

CL Voelcker have been involved in surveying and identifying materials within a wide range of commercial and industrial installations. We are able to provide a comprehensive asbestos surveying service.

Surveys are carried out to meet the growing demands of clients as well as relevant legislation. When producing an asbestos register, we include all the required information as well as a risk assessment of asbestos exposure and recommendations for management of materials. If required, we produce a management plan of ACMs, based on periodic re-assessment of materials.

For more information on our capabilities, please choose one of the following links;

	Asbestos, Uses and Applications
	Asbestos Surveying Activities
	Asbestos Risk Management