New Asbestos Survey Guide Issued By HSE

The HSE has published the long awaited survey guide to replace MDHS 100. Released on the 29 January 2010, and is available for download ass well as purchase from the HSE website.

This heavily illustrated publication replaces and expands on MDHS100, surveying, sampling and assessment of asbestos-containing materials.

It is aimed both at people carrying out asbestos surveys and people with specific responsibilities for managing asbestos in non-domestic premises under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, as well as others commissioning asbestos surveys, such as social housing providers.

The guidance expands MDHS 100, in that it now covers competence and quality assurance as well as surveys, including: survey planning, carrying out surveys, the survey report and the dutyholder's use of the survey information.

Some specific changes include:

Renaming of survey types.  Types 1 & 2 are now known as 'management' surveys and Type 3 known as 'pre-demolition and refurbishment surveys'.   Also increased, is the details on these survey types and when they should be commissioned. 

The guidance is more user focussed and explains surveys to those commissioning them, rather than just the surveyor. 

Contents: Introduction; Competence and quality assurance procedures; Asbestos surveys; Survey planning; Carrying out the survey; Survey report; Dutyholder's use of survey information; Appendix 1-8.

Competency is strengthened.  This document expressly states that organisations with UKAS accreditation to ISO17020 and individuals with ABICS accreditation should be used, plus surveys should be carried out by BOHS P402 qualified people, with at least 6 months experience (which is currently a UKAS and ABICS requirement).

Union Safety Reps will find this useful when it comes to ensuring that the employer is using a compatent service to provide their Asbestos survey. For example, further information is contained on employing competent surveyors without any conflict of interest i.e. surveying companies, and highlights risks, such as work at height which should only be carried out by 2-man survey teams, rather than individuals.

You can dopwnload the on-line version from the E-Library Database here

A hard copy can be ordered from the HSE here

Source: HSE

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