surveying

• Details of how the location and condition of known or presumed asbestos containing materials is recorded
• Priority assessments including priority assessment scores if algorithms have been used
• A table of priority for action
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• Decisions about management options including the rational
• A timetable for action
• Monitoring arrangements
• Employees and their responsibilities
• Training arrangements for employees and contractors
• A plan of implementation of new procedures, including those for external contractors
• The technical mechanisms for passing information about the location and condition of asbestos containing materials to those who need it
• Who will oversee the quality of the entries made on the management plan
• A procedure for review of the plan, including timetables

You also need to assess how often materials need to be monitored. Monitoring would involve a visual inspection looking for signs of disturbance, scratches, broken edges, cracked or peeling paint and debris. It is recommended that these inspections take place no more than one year apart for materials that are not likely to be disturbed, for instance within a building that is not in regular use or materials that are less likely to cause fibre release, such as floor tiles, toilet cisterns, cement based products etc. Other materials such as pipe insulation and boarding within rooms that are accessed more frequently should be monitored on a more regular basis such as six monthly periods.

The following steps need to be taken:

• Finding out if you have any asbestos in the premises, its amount and condition.
• Presuming materials to be asbestos unless you have strong evidence to suggest otherwise.
• Making and keeping an up to date record of the location and condition of asbestos containing materials or presumed asbestos containing materials.
• Assessing the risk from the material.
• Preparing a management plan that sets out in detail how you will manage the risk from the materials.
• Taking the steps needed to put your plan into action.
• Reviewing and monitor your plan and the arrangements made to put your plan into place.
• Providing any information regarding the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb the asbestos containing materials.

Anyone with any interest in the property will have a duty to co-operate with employees to enable them to manage the risk.

You can employ a competent person to carry out all or part of the work involved to meet the requirements of this new duty. You will, however have to be involved in the final assessment of the potential risk. This is because it is you who will know how the premises are used and what disturbance is likely to occur.

Remember, the responsibility for complying with the new duty to manage the potential risk remains yours.