If you own a building, you are responsible for the maintenance, repairs or modifications. Further to that you are also in charge of managing any health hazards. Part of that could be an asbestos risk assessment, depending how old your structure is and what types of materials were used when it was built. The following article is supposed to shed some light on what an asbestos risk assessment is and how it can be done in an effective way.

Asbestos is a hazardous substance. Specifically, its fibers are highly carcinogenic and if inhaled by a person, they can trigger a variety of different respiratory diseases and cancers, such as kidney cancer, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Unfortunately, asbestos was widely used in construction materials before and even after its hazardous properties became known. Therefore, we still find asbestos products in many old commercial and residential buildings, factories, offices and even schools.


Image Courtesy of risk-assessment-products.co.uk

Let's have a closer look at the steps that are necessary - and maybe even legally required - to assess your properties on a potential asbestos risks. The goal of an asbestos risk evaluation is to identify where asbestos may be found and who may be at risk of exposure to fibers. This process should be carefully planned to ensure the safety of everybody involved.

Step 1: Assess whether or not there are actually asbestos containing materials present in your building. This can be done by obtaining building plans and might require the expertise of an architect. Theoretically, if the construction was built after 2000, no ACMs (asbestos containing materials) should be found. Otherwise, we usually find asbestos in ceiling and floor tiles, pipe-insulation and gutters. To be on the safe side and maybe even required by law, you may have to hire an asbestos surveyor or asbestos testing company to examine the property thoroughly.

Step 2: Identify and assess the condition of the asbestos containing material
This task clearly belongs in the hands of asbestos experts. They can conduct a thorough investigation and testing. The testing may involve to take samples and have them further examined in a specialized asbestos testing lab.
There are three types of surveys that can be performed:
  • Location and Assessment Survey: gives an indication of potential problems and is generally used prior to a property be bought/sold.
  • Standard sampling, identification and assessment study: only the examination of samples can ensure that any suspected material is being either cleared or confirmed as a potential health hazard. Taking samples can cause damage to decorative finishes, but it is sometimes the only way of getting clarification on as to whether or not the product is free of asbestos.
  • Access to all sampling, identification and evaluation of the survey - this survey is usually only conducted when the buildings are being renovated or demolished.
Step 3: Keeping track of the location of the ACM. Accurate documentation of where the ACM was found is necessary to complete an asbestos risk assessment.

Step 4: Evaluation and prioritization of potential risks associated with the ACM. The following factors determine the level of priority:
  • The kind of ACM and its degree
  • The amount and impact the work needed to resolve a potential asbestos risk
  • The number of people that might be affected
Step 5: Create a asbestos risk mitigation project management plan with detailed time lines and tasks to be completed.