Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Asbestos Management Services
Safeguard people and the environment with our comprehensive Asbestos Management solutions
At BES Group, we’re proud to assist duty holders and landowners with our comprehensive asbestos services. We’ll work with you to manage the presence of asbestos safely and legally, in compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, while protecting people, assets and the environment.
We provide professional and tailored Asbestos Services compliant with HSG 264
Our comprehensive Asbestos Management solutions include:
- Risk assessment: Safety compliance is our priority, at every step of the process – for people and the environment.
- Asbestos Management plans: Tailored asbestos planning for your commercial premises or infrastructure, including closed access.
- Asbestos surveys: We can lead and support with management, refurbishment, demolition, and reinspection surveys.
- Asbestos sampling: We can provide data-driven insights on samples with the asbestos testing service in our laboratory.
Planning a demolition project? Ensure you have taken precaution from Asbestos exposure
Get in touch for an Asbestos Survey with BES Group Get in touch for an Asbestos Survey with BES Group Get in touch for an Asbestos Survey with BES Group
What is a commercial Asbestos Survey?
An asbestos survey is used to determine the location, type and condition of asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) present in a particular area. ACM’s can be found within many places or products such as highways bridges, railway structures, pipes, cavity walls, ceilings, vinyl flooring and much more.
Asbestos is a hazardous substance and needs to be carefully maintained in compliance with HSG 264
Disturbances such as remedial work or demolitions may expose asbestos fibres and cause further damage, which can lead to severe health consequences for people that may inhale these fibres. This contamination can also spread to the environment, which can pollute surrounding soil and water sources.
At BES Group, we plan and manage a range of Asbestos Surveys
Management Surveys
Utilises soil or bulk sampling methods to help locate and identify the presence of ACM’s, which could potentially be disturbed or damaged by occupants, natural erosion, or maintenance. This method involves minor work and is less invasive, which means it can be carried out during normal work operations. Inaccessible areas are marked as being presumed to have ACM’s.
Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys
Involves a destructive inspection to gain necessary access to any area suspected to have ACM, including locations with difficult access. R&D surveys are an invasive method, to ensure that hidden asbestos can be fully identified in any area where there is planned refurbishment, demolition, or plant dismantling.
Re-inspection Surveys
This is a maintenance survey, which monitors the ongoing condition of any identified asbestos materials. A re-inspection will also involve a full review of data from previous surveys. They should be conducted every 6-12 months depending on how high-risk the asbestos was recorded, in previous survey documentation.
Management Surveys
Utilises soil or bulk sampling methods to help locate and identify the presence of ACM’s, which could potentially be disturbed or damaged by occupants, natural erosion, or maintenance. This method involves minor work and is less invasive, which means it can be carried out during normal work operations. Inaccessible areas are marked as being presumed to have ACM’s.
Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys
Involves a destructive inspection to gain necessary access to any area suspected to have ACM, including locations with difficult access. R&D surveys are an invasive method, to ensure that hidden asbestos can be fully identified in any area where there is planned refurbishment, demolition, or plant dismantling.
Re-inspection Surveys
This is a maintenance survey, which monitors the ongoing condition of any identified asbestos materials. A re-inspection will also involve a full review of data from previous surveys. They should be conducted every 6-12 months depending on how high-risk the asbestos was recorded, in previous survey documentation.
What are the different types of sampling in an Asbestos Management survey?
Sampling is an integral part of Asbestos Management surveys, as this data can be used to provide valuable insights into key factors such as the location, type, percentage level and condition of ACM’s.
Our asbestos sampling methods include:
- Soil sampling: This method involves taking several samples from an area of soil where asbestos is suspected, which is then tested to determine the percentage of asbestos fibres within the environment.
- Bulk sampling: This sampling process involves testing bulk materials (materials that are visible but may not be fully identifiable) and testing to see what asbestos materials are present, including whether it is amphibole or serpentine.
Who is responsible for the management of asbestos?
For industrial and commercial premises, duty holders are legally responsible for ensuring that ACM’s are properly managed, under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. A duty holder is an individual that is responsible for health and safety of a building. Highway and railway infrastructure owners also require a duty holder that is accountable for health and safety, which includes the duty to manage asbestos.
Employers hold a legal responsibility for ensuring that their workforce is following strict safety protocols if they are in contact with ACM’s, including training and correct personal protective equipment (PPE). Asbestos must be continually monitored, maintained, and documented, to ensure safety and abide by legal requirements.
Why choose BES Group for Asbestos Management planning and surveys?
Infrastructure specialists
We pride ourselves on our expertise and advanced skill for Asbestos Management across the infrastructure and transport sector. We hold certifications in Personal Track Safety (PTS) for railways and a National Highways safety passport.
Bespoke planning
We will work with you to establish a detailed and actionable Asbestos Management plan to help you assess and mitigate risks, manage asbestos removal safely and stay compliant with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Access solutions
Our highly qualified team have dedicated experience to access challenging environments and confined spaces, using advanced access solutions such as diving, pontoon and safety boat access operated by a RYA certified boat handler, rope access working to Industrial Rope Access Association (IRATA) guidelines, mobile tower access with the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA) and powered access with the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).
Infrastructure specialists
We pride ourselves on our expertise and advanced skill for Asbestos Management across the infrastructure and transport sector. We hold certifications in Personal Track Safety (PTS) for railways and a National Highways safety passport.
Bespoke planning
We will work with you to establish a detailed and actionable Asbestos Management plan to help you assess and mitigate risks, manage asbestos removal safely and stay compliant with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Access solutions
Our highly qualified team have dedicated experience to access challenging environments and confined spaces, using advanced access solutions such as diving, pontoon and safety boat access operated by a RYA certified boat handler, rope access working to Industrial Rope Access Association (IRATA) guidelines, mobile tower access with the Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA) and powered access with the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).
Our Credentials
View all our accreditationsUKAS - ISO/IEC 17020:2012
XEIAD Ltd
UKAS - ISO/IEC 17020:2012
XEIAD Ltd
Asbestos Management FAQs
What are the most common types of asbestos?
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Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral which is heat and corrosion resistant.
There are 3 main common types of asbestos, which can be differentiated based on the colour of the mineral and composition of fibres. When asbestos is mixed within various other materials, it can be difficult to identify the colour of fibres without testing a sample to determine exactly what type of asbestos is present.
- Chrysotile – Also known as white asbestos, this type of asbestos has serpentine fibres which are soft and flexible. It’s considered to be less hazardous than amphibole fibres but is still dangerous.
- Amosite – Also known as brown asbestos, this type of asbestos has amphibole fibres which are needle-like in appearance. Amphibole fibres are found to be carcinogenic and more hazardous to health.
- Crocidolite – Also known as blue asbestos, it’s composed of amphibole fibres and was the most common type of asbestos used within construction to build factories, town halls, schools, and many public buildings.
Where can asbestos be found in commercial buildings?
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Asbestos was a commonly used material in commercial settings, especially as it was widely renowned for its insulation properties and resistance to fire. ACM’s can be detected in a variety of areas within non-domestic premises, such as:
- Insulation: Walls, mattresses, soundproofing, pipes, and boiler lagging.
- Sprayed coatings: Underside roofs, steel and concrete beams, and underside flooring.
- Textiles: Ropes, yarns, cloths used for gloves and aprons, gaskets, and strings to seal hot water radiators.
- Cement: Profiled sheets, partition boards, fully compressed sheets used for tiles and slates.
- Flooring: Thermoplastic floor tiles, staircases, industrial flooring.
- PVC: Panels and cladding, reinforced plastic for cisterns, window seals and benchtops.
- Friction products: Conveyor belts, drive belts, machinery, and lifts.
When was asbestos banned in the UK?
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The importation of amphibole asbestos, known as Amosite (brown) and Crocidolite (blue) asbestos, was made illegal in the UK during 1985. Chrysotile (white) asbestos was still imported and used, until it was also outlawed in 1999.
The use of asbestos in construction and production lines was made illegal due to the severe negative impact it has on health, safety, and the environment. It’s a legal obligation for non-domestic buildings and infrastructure to have a compliant asbestos plan in place, if planned remedial or demolition work is planned, and asbestos is present.
Contact us today for asbestos planning and management.
What is HSG 264 in relation to Asbestos Management?
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HSG 264 are legal guidelines which legally outline how asbestos should be managed in non-domestic, commercial or industrial premises, under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. This is provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who are the regulator for workplace health and safety in Britain.
The HSE strongly recommends using an accredited surveyor when conducting Asbestos Surveys. This reinforces the importance of choosing a provider that meets the highest standards of quality and reliability. XEIAD, part of BES Group, are proud to be UKAS ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accredited for Asbestos Surveying. UKAS is the UK’s leading accreditation body, recognised by the government for ensuring the highest standards of technical competence.
Why are Asbestos Surveys important for commercial premises?
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Asbestos surveying is crucial for testing potentially contaminated areas before it is disturbed by any occupants, remedial work, and planned demolitions. Within a commercial or non-domestic environment, this is even more important as there are more people at risk and likely to be a greater amount of ACM’s present.
If asbestos is disturbed, it can release fibres, which is when it poses a greater risk. ACM’s can contaminate the surrounding environment, such as soil and water. It can also become airborne and be inhaled, causing adverse health effects which can be permanent.
What is an R and D asbestos Survey?
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A refurbishment and demolition survey is sometimes referred to as an ‘r and d survey’.
An R&D survey is typically used to find ACM’s in area’s that may be hidden within a structure or difficult to access. It’s important to find and locate ACM’s in these areas, as any disturbance caused by maintenance, refurbishment or demolitions can cause asbestos fibres to be released into the air and have subsequent harmful effects to people and the surrounding environment.
At BES Group, we’re specialists in accessing remote areas during R&D asbestos surveys.
Contact us for asbestos surveying, planning and maintenance today.
Why is asbestos a risk during highway maintenance?
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A large proportion of UK highway infrastructure is over 20 years old, which means that the likelihood of ACM’s present is very high. Asbestos exposure is one of the biggest risk factors for highways personnel involved in highway maintenance or repairs, therefore an appropriate asbestos survey should be carried out before work is taken place.
Asbestos surveys for highways can cover:
- Buildings
- Depots
- Tunnels
- Compounds
- Bridges
- Lamp columns
- Communication cabinets
- Pavement drainage pipes
- Ducts
- Chambers
- Made ground
For highway infrastructure, Highways England details legal compliance for Asbestos Management in trunk road assets with GG 105 guidelines.
Related Services
Infrastructure Engineering Solutions
Engineering Consultancy and Infrastructure Asset Management
Infrastructure Monitoring
Bridges and Structures
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