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Asbestos Services

Over half a million buildings in the UK contain a significant quantity of asbestos. Most of these are in need of continual maintenance, require extensive repairs, or are due for demolition.

Metro stake its reputation on integrity and professional expertise. With so much at stake, both in terms of safety and regulatory compliance, it's essential that you know you can trust the information you're given.

We have experienced surveyors and skilled asbestos removal staff, so can offer you a complete asbestos service from initial identification, through risk assessment, to making safe, repair, or full removal.

All staff hold the Asbestos Operative Training card or the Asbestos Operative Supervisor card, as appropriate. As part of our commitment to service, our Managing Director – with over 25 years of experience in the removal of hazardous waste – oversees every project we undertake.

Regulations

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires an owner or an employer to provide a safe workplace. Work with asbestos is covered by its own set of regulations – the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAR). There are duties to prepare a risk assessment and to make written arrangements to protect those at risk in the management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

There are duties to maintain safe buildings/premises to protect occupants and workers under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations.

Arrangements to deal with asbestos during refurbishment/demolition may also be required by the Construction (Design and management) Regulations 2007.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 have been amended to introduce a specific duty to manage the risk from asbestos containing materials (ACMs) in premises with training mandatory. The Health and Safety Executive have published an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and a range of guidance supporting the duty to manage asbestos.

An asbestos survey is the most effective method of assessing the risk present in a building. Surveys must be performed by experienced asbestos surveyors qualified to examine properties of all types and sizes. Here are just a few places where asbestos may be found in a typical building:

• lift motor rooms;
• thermal insulation on service pipes;
• corrugated asbestos cement sheeting on roofs;
• and electrical duct heater units

All Metro's surveys and subsequent risk assessments conform to the standards defined in the Health and Safety Executive document HSG264 Asbestos: The survey guide. (This document expands on and replaces MDHS 100). All samples are analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory.

Asbestos Surveys

Metro perform two different types of survey and we will advise you which type best suits your requirements and meets your legal obligations for identifying and, if required, removing any asbestos.

Management Survey

A management survey (formally known as type 1 and 2 surveys) is required on properties which contain or possibly contain ACMs. Its purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect ACMs in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance and installation, and to assess their condition. The survey will involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance. The Management survey will include an assessment of the condition of the various ACMs and their ability to release fibres in to the air if they are disturbed in some way.

Refurbishment and demolition surveys

Refurbishment and demolition surveys (formally known as type 3 surveys) are needed before any refurbishment or demolition work is carried out. This type of survey is used to locate and describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place or in the whole building if demolition is planned. The survey will be fully intrusive and involve destructive inspections, as necessary, to gain access to all areas.

There is a specific requirement in CAR 2006 (regulation 7) for all ACMs to be removed as far as reasonably practicable before refurbishment or final demolition.

Asbestos Removal

Comprehensive preparation is essential for the safe and successful removal of asbestos. If your asbestos survey or risk assessment has identified the need for removal, Metro will explain the scope of the project and proceed according to the specific requirements of your situation.

The nature of asbestos involved, combined with factors such as whether the building is occupied, will determine crucial aspects of the project. This may include asbestos encapsulation and disposal in accordance with current Health & Safety Executive and Environment Agency safety standards.

Health & Safety

We ensure all relevant Metro staff are fully trained in all areas of deconstruction. We also make it our business to study and conform to all the legislative requirements in the areas of recycling, waste disposal, and salvage.

You can read our full company health & safety policy document here.