How to Perform an Asbestos Risk Assessment

Asbestos assessment is essential when work on a property is likely to disturb asbestos-containing materials (ACM). The person in charge of a building must ensure that an asbestos risk assessment is performed to prevent workers or residents from being exposed to asbestos. By undertaking this process, workers can feel safe and do not have to worry about experiencing severe health conditions.

Asbestos risk assessments should always be carried out by asbestos professionals who are aware of the dangers of asbestos. These know the Control of Asbestos regulations 2012 and what precautions are needed to keep the workplace safe. Plus, they are well-versed in using suitable risk prevention methods.

The Crucial Steps of Asbestos Assessment

Step 1 – Identify Risks

The most important aspect of any asbestos assessment is identifying the potential risks to people’s health. This includes detecting various risk factors such as manual handling, working at height, and using hazardous substances or abrasive wheels, all of which could cause serious harm to someone.

Hence, an asbestos expert must visit the workplace and identify the risks, while reviewing records for the building and speaking to employees. Not to mention, gathering information about any previous asbestos surveys.

Step 2 – Identify Who Is Most at Risk

The asbestos specialist then needs to pinpoint who is most likely to be exposed to asbestos. This part of the asbestos risk assessment includes identifying the expected level of asbestos exposure in each area of the property.

Step 3 – Figure Out Prevention Strategies

Next in the asbestos assessment, the qualified professional will be in charge of selecting controls that help to remove the risks or decrease the risks to a low level. Some prevention strategies may include installing local ventilation, protective clothing and equipment, controlled wetting of specific areas and enclosing areas of the premises.

Step 4 – Keep A Record of the Assessment

A trusted asbestos company will make sure that each stage of the risk assessment is recorded, electronically on a computer or manually written. This consists of listing the control measures to help reduce the risks as well as noting down all identified hazards.

Step 5 – Review the Asbestos Risk Assessment

Finally, the risk assessment must be always kept up to date. If something changes in the property, the asbestos expert must ensure that the risk assessment is reviewed and updated where necessary.