Asbestos surveyor
To help develop this article, click 'Edit this article' above.
Asbestos surveys can be carried out by in-house personnel or by a third party. In each case, the surveyor must be competent to carry out the work required. This means that dutyholders should make reasonable enquiries as to whether the organisation or individual they appoint are technically competent to carry out the necessary works.
When selecting an asbestos surveyor to carry out a survey it is important the surveyor must be competent to carry out the work required.
To be competent, the ‘surveyor’ must:
- Have sufficient training, qualifications, knowledge, experience and ability to carry out their duties in relation to the survey and to recognise their limitations.
- Have sufficient knowledge of the specific tasks to be undertaken and the risks which the work will entail.
- Be able to demonstrate independence, impartiality and integrity.
- Have an adequate quality management system.
- Carry out the survey in accordance with recommended guidance ( HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide).
HSE (Health and Safety Executive) strongly recommends the use of accredited or certificated surveyors for asbestos surveys.
The survey will usually involve sampling and analysis to determine the presence of asbestos so asbestos surveys should only be carried out by competent surveyors who are able to clearly demonstrate they have the necessary skills, experience and qualifications.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Asbestos.
- Asbestos management.
- Asbestos register.
- Building survey.
- Failure to mention asbestos.
- Five signs you are at risk of asbestos poisoning at work.
- Managing risks in existing buildings: An overview of UK risk-based legislation for commercial and industrial premises (FB 86).
- Pre-construction information.
- Site appraisal.
- Site survey.
- Surveyor.
- The risk of asbestos on brownfield sites.
Featured articles and news
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.