- admin
The asbestos surveyor needs to:
> make sure that all asbestos is located
and identified as appropriate for the
type of survey
> make sure the appropriate survey is
conducted for the client PCBU’s needs
> present the survey in a format that can
be used to prepare an asbestos
management plan, where applicable
> inform the client PCBU about how the
survey fits into the process for managing
asbestos risks
- admin
The Asbestos Regulations require all
asbestos likely to be disturbed by
refurbishment or demolition work to be
removed, so far as is reasonably practicable,
before the work commences.
The survey information may be used to help in
the tendering process for removing asbestos
and ACM from the building before the work
starts. The client PCBU should supply the
survey report to designers and contractors
who may be tendering for the work, so they
can address the asbestos risks. If the asbestos
is being identified so it can be removed, the
survey does not normally assess the condition
of the asbestos, other than to indicate areas
of damage or where additional asbestos
debris may be present. If the asbestos removal
may not take place for some time, the ACM’s
condition will need to be assessed and
managed
- admin
Refurbishment and demolition surveys
are technically more challenging than
management surveys, as their purpose
is to identify all ACM within a particular
building area or within the whole premises,
so this can be removed. Many buildings
have been individually designed with their
own layout and materials. There may have
been refurbishments and modifications
over the years, with changes and alterations
to the building structure and appearance
(eg false floors, ceilings and walls,
concealed and hidden areas, and surface
treatments). Building drawings may not
have been updated.
The level of competency and knowledge
needed for refurbishment and demolition
surveys is greater than for management
surveys, and the intrusive nature of these
surveys presents more health and safety risks.
- admin
The surveyed area must be fit for reoccupation
if people are to move back in. This will
require a thorough visual inspection and,
if appropriate (eg if there was significant
destruction), air monitoring. Under no
circumstances should workers remain in rooms
or areas of buildings when sampling occurs.
There may be some circumstances where
the building is still in use at the time a
refurbishment or demolition survey is
carried out. For example, in the educational
sector, refurbishment/demolition surveys
may be conducted in schools or colleges
during a closure period (eg holidays), and
the demolition or refurbishment work is not
conducted until the next holiday period.
A demolition survey may be conducted to
establish the economic future or viability of a
building. The survey results would determine
the outcome. The survey will need careful
managing, with personnel and equipment/
furnishings being moved or protected (as
necessary) while the survey progresses
through the building. Again, the survey
areas must be isolated, and the surveyed
areas must be fit for reoccupation before
people move back in.
