Asbestos Surveys Lancashire
Reddish Vale’s dedicated team of specialist asbestos contractors has over 30 years of experience in safely and efficiently surveying asbestos, in line with UK regulations, within commercial and industrial buildings across Lancashire and the surrounding areas.
- BOHS P402 qualified
- Multi-discipline, family-run business
- Covering the North West
Contact our qualified asbestos surveyors today for your free, no-obligation quote.
“Sampling asbestos materials should be carried out by a suitably trained person. If in doubt, use a competent surveyor.”
~ The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals that have crystallised and formed fibres. Asbestos has many beneficial properties, which is why it was used in the construction industry so much in the past, such as heat and fire resistance, mechanical strength and flexibility.
Asbestos fibres can be split into two main groups – serpentine and amphibole. There is only one type of serpentine asbestos (chrysotile or white asbestos), and the rest fall under the amphibole category, e.g. crocidolite (blue) asbestos, amosite (brown) asbestos, tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite.
Serpentine asbestos fibres are soft, curved and flexible. Whereas, amphibole fibres are characterised by their needle-like appearance and thin, sharp fibres that tend to be more hazardous.
Despite its beneficial properties, there are many serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
Which Health Risks Are Associated With Asbestos Exposure?
As the HSE states, asbestos only becomes a risk to human health when it is inhaled. It can also be a risk if you eat or drink an asbestos-containing material (ACM), or the substance comes into contact with your skin.
If you are exposed to asbestos, this can pose serious health risks. These health risks can include mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and pleural thickening. All of which take a long time to develop in your system, meaning you could only start to see the impacts of these health risks years after exposure.
When is an Asbestos Survey Required?
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2012), it is legally required for all ACMs to be removed (as far as reasonably practicable) before major refurbishment or demolition. But, before asbestos removal can take place, a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey (or R&D survey, previously regarded as a Type 3 asbestos survey) will be needed in order to identify and locate all ACMs prior to any structural work.
Alternatively, an Asbestos Management Survey (AMS) may be required if the dutyholder of the building has been asked to produce an asbestos register or asbestos management plan. An asbestos register forms part of an asbestos management plan, which helps the dutyholder fulfill their legal obligations by setting out the process in which they will ensure people who use their building do not become exposed to asbestos.
But, before this can happen, an Asbestos Management Survey is needed in order to locate all ACMs that could be disturbed during the normal occupancy of the building. This will provide the information that will be used to produce the asbestos register and asbestos management plan.
A Brief History of Asbestos in Lancashire
During the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840), cotton mills spread across Lancashire. As a result, the county evolved into a hub for coal mining, textile production and fishing. Even before this period, Lancashire was already home to a host of highly-skilled workers within the wool industry. This led to the area becoming a perfect place for the rise of cotton factories.
However, with the rise of cotton factories, came the rise of asbestos. At the time, asbestos was commonly used to make boiler and pipe lagging which surrounded factory buildings in order to add a layer of insulation.
Who is Susceptible to Asbestos Exposure in Lancashire?
Workers likely to come across asbestos in Lancashire include, but are not limited to:
- Construction workers
- Engineers
- Environmental consultants
The above professions face a higher risk due to the major problem of asbestos in soils that has been affecting the county for many years. The majority of this contamination happens at brownfield sites and is usually as a result of previous demolition waste being used as back-fill, or the illegal dumping of asbestos.
Qualified Asbestos Surveyors in Lancashire
Not only is our specialist team of asbestos surveyors BOHS P402 qualified, but our multi-discipline asbestos survey company has also been providing a wide range of asbestos identification, management and removal services for over 30 years now. Our long-standing experience in the industry spans several sectors, including:
- Commercial
- Government
- Industrial
- Leisure
- Education
- Construction
As well as being BOHS qualified, we also hold the Achilles, ISO 9014 and ISO 14001 accreditations. So you can rest assured your Lancashire-based property is in good hands.
Get A Free Asbestos Survey Quote
If you’re looking for great-value asbestos surveys in Lancashire, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team for your free, no-obligation quote today.
As well as Asbestos Surveys, we also offer a wide range of comprehensive asbestos, lead, and mercury management services, including:
- Asbestos Removal
- Asbestos Remediation
- Soft Strip Demolition
- Lead Paint Management
- Mercury Abatement
Our experts cover several areas across the North West, including but not limited to: Manchester, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Areas We Cover in Lancashire
With our Lancashire office based in Lytham St. Annes, our asbestos experts are able to offer our professional services across Lancashire and beyond, including but not limited to:
Barrow in Furness, Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Carlisle, Chorley, Fleetwood, Fylde, Hyndburn, Kirkham, the Lake District, Lancaster, Morecambe, Ormskirk, Pendle, Penrith, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, Sefton, South Ribble, Southport, West Lancashire, Wrea Green, Wyre and more.
For the full list of areas we cover, please click here.
Asbestos Surveys Lancashire: FAQs
How much do asbestos surveys in Lancashire cost?
The cost of an asbestos survey in Lancashire varies. This is because no two buildings or projects are ever the same. The exact price of your survey will usually depend on what is required for your specific building, the location of any suspected ACMs, whether any specialist surveying equipment is needed, etc.
Do Lancashire County Council remove asbestos?
No, Lancashire County Council offers services for asbestos disposal, but you will need to contact a licensed asbestos contractor for the removal.
Is it a legal requirement to have an asbestos survey in Lancashire?
If your Lancashire-based property is due to undergo major refurbishment or demolition, or perhaps significant maintenance works, it is a legal requirement for the dutyholder to have a Refurbishment & Demolition Survey carried out under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR), 2012.
By the same token, if your Lancashire-based property is not domestic and pre-dates the year 2000, an Asbestos Management Survey is also legally required under CAR, 2012.
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