For
Is visual inspection enough
Management survey where no works are carried out
Yes.
You must get an asbestos surveyor to conduct visual inspection to identify suspected asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building and assess their conditions.
Management survey where works are carried out
No, visual inspection is not enough.
You must get an asbestos surveyor to:
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Take samples of suspected ACMs where the work will be carried out
- Send the samples for laboratory testing.
This is to determine if asbestos is present.
The result will have to be updated in the survey report.
Building refurbishment or demolition asbestos survey
No, visual inspection is not enough.
You must get an asbestos surveyor to:
- Take samples of suspected ACMs in the buiding.
- Send the samples for laboratory testing
Visual inspections can only rule out non-composite materials such as glass, metal or wood.
Asbestos surveyor must have successfully completed the WSQ Survey Asbestos and Other Fibres Risk Course before they can conduct asbestos survey.
More info:
- List of suspected asbestos-containing materials in Annex A of WSH Guidelines on Management and Removal of Asbestos
- Factsheet on Asbestos: The hidden hazard at workplaces