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
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings for people to come home to... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”