Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Paragraph: 120
Asbestos surveyors have an important role in helping dutyholders to identify and manage asbestos in...
Conclusion
Asbestos surveyors have an important role in helping dutyholders to identify and manage asbestos in premises. We have heard concerns about the variable quality of surveys. It is not clear to us why the regulatory and quality requirements for asbestos surveyors should be less stringent than for analysts who must be UKAS- accredited.
Paragraph Reference:
120
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
In GB an asbestos survey (which includes taking material samples) must be undertaken by a person competent to do so as set out in HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide. Whilst the survey guide is goal setting in nature HSE strongly recommend the use of surveying organisations which are UKAS accredited (RG8 Accreditation of Bodies Surveying for Asbestos). HSE engages regularly with the British Occupational Hygiene Society’s (BOHS) Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FAAM); the professional group for all practitioners who manage and assess asbestos, local authorities, UKAS, surveyor groups, IOSH, trade associations and training bodies to ensure activity remains focused on ensuring standards and competence are maintained. Recognising the evidence presented at the inquiry in this area, HSE will now engage with stakeholders to consider this further and how we can collectively ensure that competence is enabled throughout the system.