Ensuring Safety: How Often Should You Schedule an Asbestos Survey?

Adam Fox • 20 April 2023

Once an asbestos register has been created, it is important to keep it up to date.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and other industries for its heat-resistant properties. However, it is now well-known that exposure to asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. As a result, it is essential that businesses and property owners take steps to ensure the safety of their workers and residents by conducting regular asbestos surveys.

What is an Asbestos Survey?

An asbestos survey is a comprehensive inspection of a building or property to determine the presence and condition of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These materials can include insulation, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, roofing materials, and many other products that were commonly used in construction before the dangers of asbestos were widely known.

The survey is typically conducted by a qualified asbestos surveyor who will collect samples of suspected ACMs and send them to a laboratory for analysis. Based on the results, the surveyor will create an asbestos register, which is a document that details the location, condition, and extent of any ACMs found in the building.

The Importance of Updating Your Asbestos Register

Once an asbestos register has been created, it is important to keep it up to date. This means adding any new ACMs that are discovered during renovations or repairs, as well as removing any materials that have been safely removed or encapsulated.

Updating your asbestos register is essential for maintaining a safe working or living environment, as it ensures that anyone who may come into contact with these materials is aware of their presence and can take appropriate precautions to avoid exposure. Failure to update your asbestos register can result in serious consequences, including fines and legal action.

How Often Should You Schedule an Asbestos Survey?

The frequency of asbestos surveys will depend on a number of factors, including the age and condition of the building, the type of materials used in construction, and the level of risk associated with the work being done in the building. As a general rule, it is recommended that a full asbestos survey be conducted at least once every five years, with register updates or ‘reinspection’s’ undertaken as a minimum of every 12 months.

However, there are some circumstances where more frequent surveys may be necessary. For example, if the building is undergoing extensive renovations or repairs, or if there have been any changes in the building's use, such as a change in occupancy or the installation of new equipment that may disturb ACMs. In these cases, it may be necessary to conduct a survey before work begins to ensure that any ACMs are properly identified and managed.

Factors to Consider When Scheduling an Asbestos Survey

When scheduling an asbestos survey, there are several factors that should be taken into account. One of the most important is the qualifications and experience of the surveyor. It is essential to choose a surveyor who is properly trained and certified to conduct asbestos surveys, as well as someone who has experience working in your particular industry or type of building.

Another important factor to consider is the scope of the survey. A full asbestos survey will provide the most comprehensive information about ACMs in the building, but it may not be necessary or practical in all cases. A surveyor may recommend a more limited survey, such as a management survey, which is designed to identify and manage any ACMs that may be present but do not pose an immediate risk.

The Consequences of Not Scheduling Regular Asbestos Surveys

Failure to schedule regular asbestos surveys can have serious consequences, both for the health and safety of workers and residents and for the legal and financial well-being of the property owner. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems, and failure to properly manage ACM's can result in legal action, fines, and even criminal charges.

In addition to the health and legal risks, failure to conduct regular asbestos surveys can also have financial consequences. If ACM's are not properly identified and managed, they can lead to costly repairs and renovations, as well as increased insurance premiums and decreased property values.

How to Choose a Qualified Asbestos Surveyor

Choosing a qualified asbestos surveyor is essential for ensuring that your asbestos survey is conducted properly and that your asbestos register is accurate and up to date. When looking for a surveyor, it is important to consider their qualifications, experience, and reputation.

Look for a surveyor who is properly trained and certified to conduct asbestos surveys, and who has experience working in your particular industry or type of building. You may also want to ask for references or look for online reviews to get a sense of their reputation and the quality of their work.

Qualifications that should be held are either the BOHS p402 or the RSPH Level 3 Award in Asbestos Surveying. Due to the vast number of products that have been known to contain asbestos (between 3000 and 5000), there is no substitute for experience when it comes to asbestos surveying. Whilst a lot of asbestos surveying companies boast about their number of years experience, the question you really need to ask is how experienced is the surveyor that will be undertaking your survey be, because more often than not, they will only have a year or so of experience.

The Process of Conducting an Asbestos Survey

The process of conducting an asbestos survey will vary depending on the type of survey being conducted and the size and complexity of the building. However, there are some general steps that are typically involved in the process.

First, the surveyor will conduct a visual inspection of the building to identify any areas where ACMs may be present. They will then collect samples of suspected ACMs and send them to a laboratory for analysis. Based on the results, the surveyor will create an asbestos register, which is a document that details the location, condition, and extent of any ACMs found in the building.

What to Do if Asbestos is Found

If asbestos is found during an asbestos survey, it is important to take immediate action to ensure the safety of workers and residents. Depending on the condition and extent of the ACMs, the surveyor may recommend removal, encapsulation, or management of the materials.

It is important to follow the recommendations of the surveyor and to ensure that any work on ACMs is conducted by qualified professionals who have the proper training and equipment to minimize the risk of exposure. It is also essential to keep your asbestos register up to date and to provide appropriate training and information to workers and residents who may come into contact with ACMs.

Conclusion: The Importance of Prioritising Safety Through Regular Asbestos Surveys

In conclusion, ensuring the safety of workers and residents should be a top priority for any business or property owner. Regular asbestos surveys are an essential part of this process, as they provide critical information about the presence and condition of ACMs in the building.

By updating your asbestos register and conducting regular surveys, you can ensure that everyone who comes into contact with your building is aware of the risks and can take appropriate precautions to avoid exposure. Failure to conduct regular asbestos surveys can result in serious health and legal consequences, as well as financial costs from repairs and renovations.

If you need help scheduling an asbestos survey or updating your asbestos register, please reach out and contact us today. Your safety and the safety of others depends on it.

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Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem

by Adam Fox • 9 April 2025

Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem Twenty-five years after asbestos was banned in the UK, we’re still digging a hole—literally and metaphorically. Every day, across the country, asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, loaded into skips, and driven to landfill, where it will sit indefinitely, taking up valuable space, creating ongoing liability, and adding to our already bloated environmental burden. And yet, 2025 presents a different path. A smarter one. One that replaces disposal with repurposing, and turns a dangerous waste product into a useful, circular resource. The technology exists. So the question we should be asking isn’t “Can we recycle asbestos?” It’s “Why the hell aren’t we doing it already?” Landfill is Failing Us—But We’re Still Relying On It Let’s start with the basics. There are still over 1.5 million buildings in the UK that contain asbestos, most of them now approaching the end of their useful life. As these structures age or undergo refurbishment, the volume of asbestos waste is only going to increase. Right now, we handle that waste the same way we did decades ago: • Identify it • Remove it (usually under fully controlled conditions) • Seal it in heavy-duty plastic • Drive it to landfill • Bury it • Forget about it Except we don’t forget, do we? Because landfill space is running out. Disposal costs are going up. And the environmental cost? We’re only just starting to count it. There’s a Better Way—and It Already Works Here’s what most duty holders don’t realise: We no longer have to bury asbestos. Thanks to recent advances in thermal treatment technology, we now have a method that can safely denature asbestos, breaking down its fibrous structure and rendering it harmless. Companies like Thermal Recycling in the UK are already proving this is not science fiction. They’re using high temperatures to transform asbestos cement products—like corrugated roofing sheets—into an inert ceramic material that’s completely safe. But here's the best bit: That material isn’t just neutral. It’s useful. It can be crushed and graded into aggregate, which can be used in road construction, paving, and concrete mixes. Instead of creating a waste burden for the next generation, we’re creating a valuable, low-carbon building material. Why Aggregate Matters in the Carbon Equation The production of virgin aggregates—through mining and quarrying—is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. It contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and destroys natural landscapes. So by replacing some of that demand with recycled aggregate from denatured asbestos, we: • Cut carbon emissions • Reduce dependence on extraction • Shrink the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects • Extend the life of quarries and reduce waste tonnage That’s not just a win for waste management. That’s a win for the entire construction supply chain. And yet most people in the industry don’t even know it’s possible. Why Are We Still Burying What Could Be Reused? As someone who’s worked in asbestos compliance for over 20 years—and now helps business leaders manage risk more intelligently—I’ve seen the same patterns play out time and time again: • “We’ll just do what we’ve always done.” • “This project’s tight on budget—landfill’s cheaper, right?” • “We’re just following the usual route—it’s less risky.” Let’s be honest. That mindset is outdated, short-sighted, and lazy. Cost may always be a factor, but the belief that landfill is “cheaper” needs to be challenged. Once you factor in: • Long-term environmental costs • Reputational risk • Rising disposal fees • And the public pressure for sustainable practices Thermal recycling is already starting to make sense. Especially when the output is something usable, not something buried. Licensed Contractors: You Don’t Get a Free Pass Either This isn’t just about clients or duty holders. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC’s) have a moral obligation here too. And I say that not from a place of opinion—but from first-hand experience, day in and day out for over two decades. Too often, LARCs put profits over progress. They default to landfill because it’s faster, easier to price up, and keeps their margins clean. They know the alternatives exist—but they don’t explore them, let alone offer them to their clients. When you hold a licence from the HSE, you’re not just a business—you’re a guardian of public health. That comes with responsibility. Choosing the most sustainable, forward-thinking disposal route should be part of that. Especially when the technology is available, proven, and legal. It’s time for the industry to stop hiding behind what’s convenient and start leading from the front. A Moral Obligation for Everyone Involved Whether you’re a: • Local authority managing public buildings • Developer under pressure to go green • Commercial landlord looking to reduce liability • Or a licensed contractor with influence over disposal routes —you have a responsibility to look beyond the cheapest or fastest option. If there’s a proven, safe, and more sustainable way to manage asbestos, you have a duty to understand it before choosing to ignore it. Because let’s be honest: “We didn’t know” isn’t going to wash when the public starts asking why we’re still filling landfill sites with a problem we already have the technology to eliminate. So What Can You Do Differently? No one’s asking you to overhaul your entire waste strategy overnight. But you can—and should—start asking better questions: • “Is landfill our only option here?” • “Could this waste stream be recycled instead of buried?” • “What suppliers, contractors, or experts do we know who can help us explore this?” You don’t have to be a global pioneer. But if you’re in a position of responsibility, you should at least be aware that the old way isn’t the only way anymore. Final Thought: The Future Is Circular—Whether You Join In or Not Asbestos will be with us for decades to come. That’s a fact. But how we handle it—and whether we choose to keep repeating the past or do something smarter—is up to us. Thermal recycling and other denaturing technologies offer a rare opportunity to do something that actually moves the industry forward. Not just ticking the compliance box. Not just burying the problem. But solving it—and turning it into something useful in the process. If you’re involved in asbestos management in even the slightest way, ask yourself this: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?