MDHS

Methods for the Determination of

Hazardous Substances
100
Surveying, sampling
and assessment of
Health and Safety Laboratory
asbestos-containing
materials

July 2001

CONTENTS

Introduction 2

Overview of requirements for surveying and

sampling 3

Aim, purpose and type of survey 3

Survey planning 5

Health and safety risks 7

Surveying 7

Bulk sampling strategy 9

Bulk sampling procedures 15

Assessment 17

Documentation 19

Quality assurance procedures 20

References 20

Acknowledgements 21

Annex 1: What ACMs look like and where to find

them 24

Annex 2: Example of a survey and sampling

equipment checklist 43

Annex 3: Asbestos warning label 44

1
INTRODUCTION ■ monitor the condition of asbestos and
presumed asbestos materials;
1 This MDHS sets out how to survey workplace
premises for asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) ■ assess the risk of exposure from the asbestos
and how to record the results in a usable form. It and presumed asbestos materials and
also gives advice on how to recognise and sample document the actions necessary to manage the
suspected ACMs. The MDHS has been produced as risk; and
part of guidance issued by the Health and Safety
Executive for people carrying out surveys. It will also ■ take steps to see that the actions above are
be of interest to those who commission surveys. carried out.

Regulations To manage the risk from asbestos-containing

materials you will need to:
2 The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 19741
requires an employer to provide a safe workplace. ■ keep and maintain an up-to-date record of the
Work with asbestos is covered by its own set of location, condition, maintenance and removal of
regulations – the Control of Asbestos at Work all asbestos-containing materials on the
Regulations (CAWR).2 There are duties to prepare a premises;
risk assessment and to make written arrangements
to protect those at risk in the Management of Health ■ repair, seal or remove, if there is a risk of
and Safety at Work Regulations 1999,3 and to exposure due to its condition or location;
maintain workplace buildings/premises to protect
occupants and workers under the Workplace ■ maintain it in a good state of repair and
(Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.4 regularly monitor the condition;
Arrangements to deal with asbestos during
refurbishment may also be required by the ■ inform anyone who is likely to disturb it about
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
the location and condition of the material;
1994.5 It is intended that CAWR6 be amended by
introducing a specific duty to manage the risk from
■ have arrangements and procedures in place, so
asbestos-containing materials in premises. This
that work which may disturb the materials
specific duty will be supported by an approved code
complies with CAWR; and
of practice (ACOP) and associated guidance.
■ review the plan at regular intervals and make
Managing asbestos
changes to the plan and arrangements if
circumstances change.
3 The new regulation will create an explicit duty to
assess and manage the risks from asbestos in
premises. The risks will vary with circumstances, Health and safety issues
ranging from normal occupation of a building to the
repair, refurbishment and demolition of the 4 Surveying and sampling ACMs can give rise to
premises, and they will each need to be assessed. exposure to asbestos and is covered by CAWR,
This assessment will be used to produce a which require an assessment and plan of work to be
management plan which details and records the made, setting out the control measures and
actions to be undertaken to manage and reduce the personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used. It
risks from asbestos. The broad requirements on also requires that adequate information, training and
employers are to: refresher training have been given to the sampling
personnel. Sampling ACMs is, however, exempt
■ take reasonable steps to determine the location from the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations (1983) as
of materials likely to contain asbestos; amended,7 but is covered by the CAWR ACOP on
unlicensed work.8 As other hazards may be present,
■ presume materials to contain asbestos, unless such as working at heights and electrical hazards, a
there are good reasons not to do so; risk assessment will need to be carried out before
commencing work on site (see paragraph 25). It
■ make and maintain a written record of the should include any safety aspects and record any
location of the asbestos and presumed safety protocol to be observed on site. Fire
asbestos materials; alarm/evacuation procedures should be included.

2
OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS FOR Several of the management options apply to all
SURVEYING AND SAMPLING ACMs and are required by CAWR. Others are
appropriate for ACMs which have a high material or
5 Anyone undertaking surveys or sampling risk assessment score. Guidance on risk
should: assessment and the management of asbestos will
be available from HSE. Advice from the Department
■ have appropriate training and experience; of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
(DETR) is also available.9
■ be able to demonstrate independence,
impartiality and integrity; and Asbestos surveys

■ have an adequate quality assurance procedure 7 An asbestos survey has three main elements:
(see paragraphs 67-69).
■ firstly, it must as far as reasonably practicable
Appropriate training, for example, is provided by locate and record the location, extent and
courses organised through the British Institute of product type of any presumed or known ACMs;
Occupational Hygiene (BIOH) (see paragraph 67 for
contact information). ■ secondly, it must inspect and record
information on the accessibility, condition and
Asbestos management programmes surface treatment of any presumed or known
ACMs;
6 In order to have an effective asbestos
management programme, it is necessary to ■ thirdly, it should determine and record the
establish clear lines of responsibility for the asbestos type, either by collecting
programme’s management and implementation. A representative samples of suspect materials for
survey of the premises must be undertaken to locate laboratory identification, or by making a
and assess the ACMs. The results of the survey presumption based on the product type and its
must be recorded in an easily retrievable form, appearance etc.
which can then be used to make a risk assessment
and draw up a management plan. The management This information must be held in a suitable
plan may include some or all of the following (upgradable) form and should be accessible to and
options: understandable by all relevant personnel.

■ clean up debris; Material assessment

■ repair; 8 The purpose of the material assessment is to

establish the relative ability of various types of
■ encapsulate (paint or seal); ACMs to release fibres into the air, should they be
disturbed. The type of fibre is also taken into
■ enclose; account. This assessment can be carried out as an
integral part of the survey, as it requires no
■ remove; knowledge about the building use etc. A simple four
parameter additive algorithm is used to assess the
■ maintain and update log of ACMs; likely magnitude of release from the material, given
a standard disturbance. This is evaluated using four
■ monitor condition (applies to all presumed or categories: high, medium, low and very low.
identified ACMs);
AIM, PURPOSE AND TYPE OF SURVEY
■ restrict access/isolate;
Aim and purpose
■ label or colour code;
9 The type of survey undertaken may vary,
■ inform; depending on the aim and purpose for which it is to
be used. Surveys before demolition and
■ train; refurbishment will continue to be required under
CAWR and the CDM regulations.5 However, it is
■ define and use safe systems of work; anticipated that most surveys will be undertaken
initially to comply with the duty to manage asbestos
■ operate a permit-to-work system.

3
in premises. In these cases, the aim of an asbestos ■ non-asbestos substitute materials were
survey is, as far as reasonably practicable, to locate specified in the original architect's/quantity
and assess all the ACMs present in the building and surveyor’s plans or in subsequent
its purpose is to present the information collected in refurbishments;
a way which allows the employer to manage the
risk. In situations where a surveyor is used, the aim, ■ the product was very unlikely to contain
purpose, type of survey and report format required asbestos or have asbestos added (eg
should be clearly established in the original invitation wallpaper, plasterboard etc);
to tender, or agreed with the client at a preliminary
meeting or site visit before starting the survey. One ■ post-1985 construction (for amphibole
of the main issues is to decide when samples should asbestos-containing materials such as asbestos
be taken to prove that ACMs are not present. insulation board, see Table 1);

■ post-1999 construction (some chrysotile

Presumption or identification of ACMs
products were prohibited in 1993 and nearly all
were prohibited in 1999).
10 An experienced, well-trained surveyor, familiar
with the range of asbestos products, can usually, by
12 The conclusion that ACMs are not present
inspection alone, say that a material can be
cannot always be easily reached. The regulations
‘presumed’ to contain asbestos. This presumption require that reasonable steps are taken. It may in
can only be tested by laboratory analysis of some circumstances not be reasonable to decide
representative samples of the material. A low- wholly on age and/or original specifications, which
magnification stereo microscope examination of the may have been circumvented during the
sample followed by polarised light microscopy (PLM) construction of the building. There are also
of selected fibres, as outlined in MDHS 77,10 is the examples of poor removal practice leaving
most widely used and cost-effective method in asbestos-containing debris and residues, and areas
current use. In the absence of analytical evidence, where asbestos has been removed previously will
many non-asbestos materials will also be presumed need to be inspected.
to contain asbestos, unless there is other strong
evidence to support a reasoned argument that they Type of survey
are highly unlikely to contain asbestos.
There are three types of survey referred to in this
11 This therefore creates two levels of MDHS.
presumption: one where there is a 'strong
presumption' that the material does contain Type 1: Location and assessment survey
asbestos but a laboratory identification has not been (presumptive survey)
undertaken to confirm this; and a default situation
where it must be 'presumed' to contain asbestos 13 The purpose of the survey is to locate, as far as
because there is insufficient evidence to suggest reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of
that it is not an ACM. An example of a 'strong any suspect ACMs in the building and assess their
presumption' would be thermal insulation on a pipe condition. This survey essentially defers the need to
where fibres are clearly visible and have the sample and analyse for asbestos (or the absence
appearance of asbestos but no sample analysis has thereof) until a later time (eg prior to demolition or
been undertaken. Where similar construction exists major refurbishment). The duty holder bears
potential additional costs of management for some
and laboratory analysis of one of the materials has
non-asbestos-containing materials. All areas should
confirmed the presence of asbestos, there is a
be accessed and inspected as far as reasonably
strong presumption that the other similar materials
practicable (eg above false ceilings and inside
also contain asbestos. Materials where no asbestos
risers, service ducts, lift shafts, etc) or must be
fibres are visible but asbestos is known to have
presumed to contain asbestos. Any material which
been commonly used in the manufactured product can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos
at the time of installation (eg floor tiles, ceiling tiles must be presumed to contain asbestos, and where it
and insulating boards) will be presumed to contain appears highly likely to contain asbestos, there
asbestos. A reasoned argument to suggest that a should be a strong presumption that it does. All
material does not contain asbestos would be: materials which are presumed to contain asbestos
must be assessed.

4
Type 2: Standard sampling, identification and Type 1 survey. Therefore it is important that there is
assessment survey (sampling survey) a clear statement and record of the type of surveys
that are to be carried out, including the reasons for
14 The purpose and procedures used in this type selected, where they are to be carried out, and
survey are the same as for Type 1, except that an estimate of the number of samples to be
representative samples are collected and analysed collected.
for the presence of asbestos. Samples from each
type of suspect ACM found are collected and SURVEY PLANNING
analysed to confirm or refute the surveyor’s
judgement. If the material sampled is found to Procedure
contain asbestos, other similar homogeneous
materials used in the same way in the building can 17 Once the type of survey has been established,
be strongly presumed to contain asbestos. Less it is important to gather information and plan the
homogeneous materials will require a greater survey. Survey planning should include the following
number of samples. The number should be sufficient five steps:
for the surveyor to make an assessment of whether
asbestos is or is not present. Sampling may take ■ preliminary site meeting and walk-through;
place simultaneously with the survey, or as in the
case of some larger surveys, can be carried out as a ■ desk-top study to plan survey;
separate exercise, after the Type 1 survey is
complete. ■ survey plan (including details of sampling
strategy, if appropriate);
Type 3: Full access sampling and identification
survey (pre-demolition/major refurbishment ■ risk assessment for the conduct of the survey;
surveys) and

15 This type of survey is used to locate and ■ specification of the method for recording and
describe, as far as reasonably practicable, all ACMs presenting data.
in the building and may involve destructive
inspection, as necessary, to gain access to all At some sites it may not be necessary or possible to
areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. include all of these steps (eg small premises, fire
A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify damaged premises and pre-purchase surveys etc).
possible ACMs and estimates of the volume and
surface area of ACMs made. The survey is designed Preliminary site meeting and walk-through
to be used as a basis for tendering the removal of
ACMs from the building prior to demolition or major 18 If a third party is carrying out a survey for the
refurbishment so the survey does not assess the employer, a preliminary meeting is important to
condition of the asbestos, other than to note areas establish how to record and use the results of the
of damage or where additional asbestos debris may survey, so the employer can manage the risk. It is
be expected to be present. also an opportunity to explain further the type of
survey and assessments which will be undertaken.
16 Although different types of survey can be Every site will have its own specific problems
specified and used depending on the circumstances, relating to safety issues and hazards, the availability
it is important that the building owner, employer and of original and up-to-date plans, entry limitations to
the surveyor know exactly what type of survey is to certain areas etc. Whenever possible, current
be carried out, what the specifications for each type accurate plans of the building and the floor layout
are, and in which areas they are to be used. It is should be made available at an early stage. If
recommended that the type of survey used current or older plans are not available, a sketch
conforms to a standard (eg this MDHS), otherwise plan will need to be made. All plans should be
interpretation of the survey reports will be difficult checked for accuracy. These plans will be used to
and the management plan produced may not refer to and record the whereabouts of any suspect
adequately minimise the risks involved. It is possible material and the location of any samples taken for
that at larger premises a mixture of survey types will identification. They should also be used to locate
be appropriate – eg a boiler house due for and record any sensitive or restricted areas and
demolition will require a Type 3 pre-demolition hazards.
survey, while offices at the site may only have a
Type 1 presumptive survey. Similarly, a system-built 19 A walk through the site should be made with a
property may start with several Type 2 surveys, but person who knows the premises which are to be
other similar premises may be evaluated using a surveyed. The purpose is to get a better overall

5
picture of the site and the problems involved. The Survey plan and sampling strategy
walk-through can be used to check that any site
plans are up-to-date and room numbering/coding is 23 After the preliminary site visit and desk study
adequate. It also allows any specific hazards which have been completed, a written plan for the main
the survey personnel may encounter to be survey can be produced. The plan will normally
recognised and discussed to minimise any risks. specify the following:
Potential problems for access to ceiling voids and
crawl spaces can also be assessed, along with other ■ the buildings and areas to be included in the
potential sampling problems (eg sampling only when survey and any areas to be excluded;
the area is otherwise unoccupied, materials or
decorations which cannot be disturbed, labelling of ■ the type of survey to be used (and where other
sample locations, future placement of asbestos types may be applicable);
warning labels, measures used to reduce dust
release and clean-up, etc). ■ any possible or known ACMs not to be included
in the survey;
Desk-top study to plan survey
■ the survey procedure;
20 The aim of the desk-top study is to gather
■ the assessment method and the parameters to
information on the types, construction and ages of
be assessed (eg product type, location, extent,
premises to be surveyed and current or former condition and accessibility of ACMs);
equipment and types of processes carried out in
them (eg buildings constructed after 1974 are ■ the information to be recorded and the method
unlikely to contain sprayed asbestos fireproofing). and format to be used;
Architects’ original plans and specifications and
subsequent plans for major changes or ■ the quality assurance checks and procedures to
refurbishment should also record where ACMs were be undertaken;
installed for fire protection, heat insulation or
decorative purposes. Previous plans, as well as ■ any area where access was not possible; and
current plans, should be obtained where possible.
■ sampling method, number of samples and
21 However, low density insulating board and other agreed arrangements for making good.
asbestos-containing products are often used to give
increased fire protection to structural beams and Specification of the method for recording and
pillars, fire doors, risers, service ducts, stairwells, presenting data
ceilings, lift shafts and also around heaters. These
boards may not be readily observable as they may 24 Both the form of the survey records and final
be concealed or over-clad with other materials. Any report format should be documented and agreed
equipment requiring heat insulation such as boilers, with the client before starting the survey.
furnaces, ovens, fires, storage radiators, heat Consideration should be given to:
exchangers, calorifiers as well as any connecting
pipes, are the obvious places where asbestos ■ what data will be reported;
insulation is likely to have been used. Also, large
■ how they will be presented;
machinery may have asbestos-containing friction
components such as clutches and brakes. Some of
■ the way the survey data will be stored,
the products and product names of ACMs are listed
accessed and updated (eg a paper copy in the
in Table 1.
site manager’s office or a computer database
accessible on a network or the Internet);
22 The current plans can be used to refer to and
record the whereabouts of any suspect material and ■ the way photographic or video records and
the location of any samples taken for identification. marked-up plans will be stored and reported;
The plans should also be used to locate and record
any sensitive or restricted areas. If no plans are ■ whether each room/area inspected should be
available, additional work will be necessary to record individually recorded; and
the survey information accurately. There will also be
a need for information on any previous asbestos ■ whether asbestos lookalike materials should be
removal. recorded.

6
The survey report or abstracts from it should be dangerous locations (eg derelict buildings or items
presented in a form that can be used as the basis identified in paragraph 25), a team of two should be
for an updatable register or log of ACMs. This log specified as a safety requirement. Teamworking
will need to be readily accessible (eg in the estates also allows field training of new surveyors to be
or building manager’s office) so it can be consulted carried out in a supervised practical environment
prior to the authorisation of maintenance or remedial and gives a better chance of finding ACMs. Further
work. A register or log can be more easily accessed information on safe working procedures can be
and updated if it is stored electronically. found in paragraphs 44-45.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS Personal protective equipment

Risk assessment for conduct of survey 27 Disposable overalls, overshoes and gloves
should be worn when there is a likelihood of
25 Before carrying out a site survey, it is important asbestos contaminating the surveyor's clothing and
that an assessment of the risks to the health and during bulk sampling. The overalls should be of the
safety of surveyors, sampling personnel and other type normally used for asbestos work and should
occupants is carried out. Risk assessments should have a hood and elasticated cuffs and ankles. They
be documented and must be available to the site can be worn over normal clothing but should be
surveyors. Often surveyors will be seeing the site for carefully removed after use by turning inside out,
the first time so will have little chance to evaluate the and be disposed of as asbestos waste. Care should
site-specific hazards that are involved and will rely be taken to prevent the spread of asbestos. For
on the risk assessment made based on information some dirty or contaminated sites, Wellington boots
gathered during the preliminary site meeting and will be required, and these should be wiped or
walk-through. The client should be asked to provide washed clean if they become contaminated and/or
information relating to any hazards specific to the after sampling is completed. For some sites, more
site. In addition to the hazards of asbestos, hazards stringent decontamination procedures may be
which may be associated with asbestos surveying necessary (see paragraph 29).
include:
28 Appropriate respiratory protective equipment
■ working at heights, in ceiling voids or on fragile (RPE) should be worn during sampling or when
roofs;11, 12 surveying areas where the asbestos is likely to be
disturbed during the inspection (eg crawl tunnels
■ working on operable machinery or plant; and above false ceilings). The survey and sampling
personnel must have been properly trained in the
■ working in confined spaces;13 selection, use and maintenance of respiratory
protective equipment and follow the guidance given
■ chemical hazards;14 in INDG288.11

■ electrical hazards; Decontamination and disposal arrangements

■ biological hazards;14 29 If the surveyor has to enter areas where there

is a lot of contamination (eg thermal insulation in
■ noise hazards;15 and crawl tunnels, spray insulation in ceiling voids),
clothing is likely to be particularly contaminated, so
■ lone working. additional safety precautions and decontamination
procedures will be necessary. This may involve the
The risks to surveyors, sampling personnel and use of positive pressure respirators, transit
other occupants should be reduced to as low as procedures and a hygiene facility, and these
reasonably practicable. In assessing the risks, the requirements should be identified in the initial walk-
appropriate HSE guidance should be consulted. round of the site. Alternatively, the area should be
presumed to be heavily contaminated with asbestos.
Safe work procedures
SURVEYING
26 Ideally a survey should be conducted with
team(s) of two persons. This has a number of Requirements
advantages, for example, in assisting with carrying
equipment such as step ladders, labelling of sample 30 The success and usefulness of a survey is
bags and documentation. In cases of remote or dependent on the specification and planning

7
carried out and the training, experience and products which are used for or require significant
diligence of the surveyor. When an area is not heat insulation should be considered during the
inspected, this must be recorded and presumed to survey. This will include simmering mats, iron
contain asbestos until it can be proven that ACMs stands, fire curtains and blankets, catalytic gas
are not present. It is important that the surveyor has heaters, gas coal or log effect fires, all types of
a good understanding of which products and warm air, storage or radiant heaters, and cooker
materials are likely to contain asbestos and where door seals. Older industrial machines and plant are
ACMs are likely to be located. Experienced more likely to contain asbestos owing to their age or
surveyors may discriminate between potential higher performance requirements and are more
asbestos and non-asbestos-containing materials in likely be serviced and subject to maintenance.
situ. This initial judgement will be tested by sampling Therefore, parts of machinery or plant which provide
and analysis in a Type 2 survey, but previous heat and electrical insulation, high performance
experience is used to make a presumption in a Type seals and frictional performance (driving belts,
1 survey. The surveyor should have strong clutches, brakes and bearings) should be inspected
evidence to support a reasoned argument for if readily accessible. It is not recommended that the
presuming a material does not contain asbestos. surveyor should sample or work on any machinery,
The surveyor must also look out for evidence of unless qualified to do so. If sampling is not carried
asbestos debris released by previous work, or even out, they should be presumed to contain asbestos
during installation or removal work (eg over-spray unless there is evidence to suggest they are non-
from sprayed asbestos applications). asbestos materials.

31 The survey will need to be carried out in a What to assess and record
methodical and systematic way to ensure that all
visible or accessible areas are inspected. This will 34 A Type 1 and 2 survey must assess and record
usually involve using either a top-down or bottom-up the following, for each suspect or presumed
approach for surveying the building and each asbestos material found:
individual area or room for ACMs. The outside of the
building should also be inspected. Larger premises ■ product type;
will require more detailed survey procedures,
particularly if there are several surveyors at work. It ■ location;
may also be appropriate to carry out a separate
survey on the building services, machinery and any ■ extent (or quantity);
large floor and ceiling voids.
■ asbestos type;
Types, location and appearance of asbestos-
containing building products ■ accessibility;

32 Table 1 and Figure 1 summarise the main types ■ amount of damage or deterioration; and
and uses of ACMs in the fabric of a building and in
fixed installations such as heating, water and ■ surface treatment (if any).
electrical systems. The table lists the main product
types, their location and use, asbestos content, date The last three will not usually be required for a Type
last used and common trade or product names. The 3 pre-demolition survey.
product types are listed approximately in order of
their ability to release fibres assuming no surface Presumed ACMs
treatments have been applied. The appearance of
these products and where and how they are likely to 35 If a sample is not taken, there must also be a
appear in situ in buildings have been given in an presumption made whether the material is asbestos
illustrated annex (Annex 1) as an aid to identifying or non-asbestos. Surveyors may visually assess the
potential asbestos-containing materials. edges and damaged areas of suspect materials and
record the following:
Other products containing asbestos
■ whether visible fibres are present on close
33 Older consumer electrical products may also inspection (see MDHS 7710);
contain some ACMs (eg hairdryers, irons, toasters,
washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers), but ■ the colour of the fibres, if visible; and
the asbestos is not readily accessible and it is not
practical to inspect or sample for such asbestos ■ whether fibres are visually consistent with
which would constitute a very low risk. However, asbestos (eg form bundles with splayed ends).

8
Some materials like textured plasters, paints and larger premises there is often an advantage in
vinyl floor tiles may contain very fine dispersed sampling after a Type 1 survey has been completed,
chrysotile asbestos which may not be seen by eye so the numbers and locations of the samples
or with a magnifying glass, and these materials (if required can be specified. In general, for
old) will have to be presumed to contain asbestos homogeneous manufactured products containing
unless they are sampled and carefully analysed by a asbestos, it can be assumed that the asbestos is
competent laboratory. As imported materials may uniformly distributed throughout the material, and
have contained chrysotile asbestos until 1999 and one or two samples will suffice, eg boards, sheets,
laboratories often miss the fine asbestos, some cement pipes, textiles, ropes, friction products,
additional checks may be necessary with these plastics and vinyls, mastics, sealant, bitumen roofing
types of materials. Other useful characteristics (eg felt and gaskets. Insulation materials are generally
surface texture, sound when knocked, warmth to less homogeneous as they were applied on site and
touch, surface hardness/deformation with a probe) their composition depended on the availability of
may also be used by experienced surveyors to help supply. Subsequent repairs and patching may add
compare the material to other materials they have to this variability and increase the number of
previously encountered and had samples identified. samples required. In addition, substantial over-spray
Unless the surveyor is convinced that there is contamination and debris may have been produced.
adequate evidence to support a reasoned Often a single sample may be all that is required to
argument that the material is non-asbestos- confirm the suspicion that a homogeneous material
containing (eg plaster, plasterboard, wood etc), a is asbestos and to make a presumption that it
presumption or strong presumption is made that it is applies to other material of the same type. However,
an ACM. for non-homogeneous materials and for some
presumed non-asbestos materials, additional
Asbestos type sampling may often be needed, to reduce the
possibility of false negatives which may lead to
36 It is also necessary to decide which types of uncontrolled exposures. The following sample
asbestos are present for the material assessment. If numbers are suggested, but may be adapted
a material is not sampled and a similar product has depending on the site and the circumstances
not been identified in the survey, the most likely prevailing.
asbestos type must be allocated based on the
product types and age in Table 1. Close inspection Spray coatings, encapsulated sprays and bulk
of the fibres, if visible in the product, will give some materials
additional clues to the type of asbestos (see MDHS
7710). In general, there should be a reasoned 39 These are usually, but not always,
argument for it not being crocidolite or another homogeneous (under any encapsulate) and usually
amphibole asbestos. two samples should be sufficient if taken at either
end of the sprayed surface, unless the installation is
BULK SAMPLING STRATEGY particularly large or there are areas of repairs or
alterations.
37 Bulk sampling may be carried out
simultaneously with the survey or carried out later as Pipe/thermal insulation
a separate sampling exercise. Often for small
surveys it is convenient to take samples while 40 Pipe insulation is often highly variable in
surveying, while for larger buildings sampling may composition, especially where there is a change in
be carried out as a separate exercise when the colour, size and texture or there is evidence of
building is empty. After a visual examination to repairs or modifications. The number of samples
assess any apparent areas of different material, collected will be dictated by the planned and
samples of about 3-5 cm2 area and through the subsequent activities. If a plant room is due for
entire depth of the ACM should normally be taken complete refurbishment, a few samples of proven
with the aim of collecting one or more samples asbestos materials may be sufficient to condemn the
which are representative of the whole material. entire plant room to be stripped as asbestos. If,
Sampling should not be carried out where there is however, most of the insulation is apparently non-
an electrical hazard or if it will damage the critical asbestos, it may require more than a few samples to
integrity of a roof, gutter, pipe etc. An equipment list ‘prove’ that all the insulation is asbestos-free. For
is given in Annex 2. individual pipe runs or boilers needing repair or
replacement, two samples may be sufficient,
38 The sampling strategy (see paragraphs 39-43) provided that there is no sign of earlier repairs or
will be based on the types of ACMs present, and for changes to the insulation.

9
 Table 1: Asbestos-containing materials in buildings (listed in approximate order of ease of fibre release)

Asbestos product Location/use Asbestos content and type/date last used Ease of fibre release and product names

Loose insulation Bulk loose fill insulation is now rarely Usually pure asbestos except for lining/bag. Loose asbestos may readily become
Bulk loose fill, bulk fibre- found but may be encountered Mattresses and quilts were usually filled airborne if disturbed. If dry, these materials
filled mattresses, quilts unexpectedly, eg DIY loft insulation crocidolite or chrysotile. Acoustic insulation can give rise to high exposures.
and blankets. Also 'jiffy and fire-stop packing around cables may contain crocidolite or chrysotile.
bag'-type products used between floors. Mattresses and quilts Covers may deteriorate or be easily

10
for sound insulation used for thermal insulation of damaged by repair work or accidental
industrial boilers were filled with contact.
loose asbestos. Paper bags/sacks
were also loose-filled and used for
sound insulation under floors and in
walls.

Sprayed coatings Thermal and anti-condensation Sprayed coatings usually 55%-85% The surface hardness, texture and ease of
Dry applied, wet applied insulation on underside of roofs and asbestos with a Portland cement binder. fibre release will vary significantly
and trowelled finish sometimes sides of industrial Crocidolite was the major type until 1962. depending on a number of factors. Sprays
buildings and warehouses. Mixture of types including crocidolite until have a high potential for fibre release if
Acoustic insulation in theatres, halls mid-1971. Asbestos spray applications were unsealed, particularly if knocked or the
etc. Fire protection on steel and used up to 1974. surface is abraded or delaminates from the
reinforced concrete beams/columns underlying surface. Dust released may then
and on underside of floors. Over- accumulate on false ceilings, wiring and
spray of target areas is common. ventilation systems.

'Limpet' (also used for non-asbestos

sprays).

Thermal insulation Thermal insulation of pipes, boilers, All types of asbestos have been used. The ease of fibre release often depends on
Hand-applied thermal pressure vessels, calorifiers etc. Crocidolite used in lagging until 1970. the type of lagging used and the surface
lagging, pipe and boiler Amosite was phased out by the treatment. Often will be encapsulated with
lagging, pre-formed pipe manufacturers during the 1970s. Content calico and painted (eg PVA, EVA, Latex,
sections, slabs, blocks. varies 6-85%. Various ad hoc mixtures were bitumen or propriety polymer emulsions or
Also tape, rope, hand-applied on joints and bends and pipe PVC, Neoprene solutions), eg 'Decadex'
corrugated paper, quilts, runs. Pre-formed sections were widely used, finish is a propriety polymer emulsion. A
felts, and blankets eg '85% magnesia' contained 15% amosite, harder chemical-/weather-resistant finish is
'Caposil' calcium silicate slabs and blocks known as 'Bulldog'.
contained 8-30% amosite while 'Caposite'
sections contained ~85% amosite. Blankets,
felts, papers, tapes and ropes were usually
~100% chrysotile.
 Asbestos boards
'Millboard' 'Millboard' was used for general heat Crocidolite was used in some millboard Asbestos 'Millboard' has a high asbestos
insulation and fire protection. Also manufacture between 1896 and 1965; content and low density so is quite easy to
used for insulation of electrical usually chrysotile. Millboards may contain break and the surface is subject to abrasion
equipment and plant. 37-97% asbestos, with a matrix of clay and and wear.
starch.
'Millboard'.

Insulating board Used for fire protection, thermal and Crocidolite used for some boards up to AIB can be readily broken, giving significant
acoustic insulation, resistance to 1965, amosite up to 1980, when fibre release. Also significant surface
moisture movement and general manufacture ceased. release is possible by abrasion, but surface
building board. Found in service is usually painted or plastered.
ducts, firebreaks, infill panels, Usually 15-25% amosite or a mixture of Sawing and drilling will also give significant
partitions and ceilings (including amosite and chrysotile in calcium silicate. releases.
ceiling tiles), roof underlay, wall Older boards and some marine boards
linings, external canopies and porch contain up to 40% asbestos. 'Asbestolux', 'Turnasbestos', 'LDR',
linings. 'asbestos wallboard', 'insulation board'.
Marine boards known as 'Marinite' or
'Shipboard'.

Insulating board in cores Found in fire doors, cladding infill Crocidolite used for some boards up to Can be broken by impact; significant
and linings of composite panels, domestic boiler casings, 1965, amosite up to 1980, when surface release possible by abrasion, but
products partition and ceiling panels, oven manufacture ceased. usually painted or plastered. Sawing and
linings and suspended floor systems. drilling will also give significant releases.
Used as thermal insulation and 16-40% amosite or a mixture of amosite and
sometimes as acoustic attenuators. chrysotile. 'Asbestolux'.

Paper, felt and Used for electrical/heat insulation of Asbestos paper can contain ~100% Paper materials, if not
cardboard electrical equipment, wiring and chrysotile asbestos but may be incorporated encapsulated/combined within vinyl,
plant. Also used in some air as a lining, facing or reinforcement for other bitumen, or bonded in some way, can
conditioning systems as insulation products, eg roofing felt and damp-proof easily be damaged and release fibres when

11
and acoustic lining. courses, steel composite wall cladding and subject to abrasion or wear (eg worn
Asbestos paper has also been used roofing (see asbestos bitumen products flooring surface with paper backing).
to reinforce bitumen and other below), vinyl flooring.
products and as a facing/lining to Asbestos paper is also sometimes found Asbestos paper, asbestos felt, ‘Novilon’
flooring products, combustible under MMMF insulation on steam pipes. flooring, Durasteel laminates, vinyl asbestos
boards, flame-resistant laminate. tile, roofing felt and damp-proof course etc.
Corrugated cardboard has been
used for duct and pipe insulation. 'Pax felt'. 'Viceroy' (foil-coated paper).
'Serval'.
 Asbestos product Location/use Asbestos content and type/date last used Ease of fibre release and product names

Textiles
Ropes and yarns Used as lagging on pipes (see Crocidolite and chrysotile were widely used Weaving reduces fibre release from
above), jointing and packing due to length and flexibility of fibres. Other products, but abrading or cutting the
materials and as heat-/fire-resistant types of asbestos have occasionally been materials will release fibres, likely to
boiler, oven and flue sealing. used in the past. Chrysotile alone since at degrade if exposed, becoming more friable
Caulking in brickwork. least 1970. with age. If used with caulking, fibres will be
Plaited asbestos tubing in electric Asbestos content approaching 100% unless encapsulated and less likely to be released.

12
cable. combined with other fibres.

Cloth Thermal insulation and lagging (see All types of asbestos have been used in the Fibres may be released if material is
above), including fire-resisting past. abraded.
blankets, mattresses, and protective Since the mid-1960s the vast majority has
curtains, gloves, aprons, overalls etc. been chrysotile.
Curtains, gloves, etc were Asbestos content approaching 100%.
sometimes aluminised to reflect heat.

Gaskets and washers Used in domestic hot water boilers to Variable but usually around 90% asbestos, May be dry and damage easily when
industrial power and chemical plant. crocidolite used for acid resistance and removed. Mainly a problem for
chrysotile for chlor-alkali. Some gasket maintenance workers.
materials will continue to be used after
asbestos prohibition takes effect. 'Klingerit', 'Lion jointing', 'Permanite', 'CAF' -
compressed asbestos fibre or 'It' in German
gaskets.

Strings Used for sealing hot water radiators. Strings have asbestos contents approaching
100%.

Friction products

Resin-based materials Transport, machinery and lifts, used 30-70% chrysotile asbestos bound in Low friability, dust may build up with friction
for brakes and clutch plates. phenolic resins. Used up to November 1999. debris.

Drive belts/conveyor belts Engines, conveyors. Chrysotile textiles encapsulated in rubber. Low friability, except when worn to expose
textile.
 Cement products
Profiled sheets Roofing, wall cladding. Permanent 10-15% asbestos (some flexible sheets Likely to release increasing levels of fibres
shuttering, cooling tower elements. contain a proportion of cellulose). if abraded, hand sawn or worked on with
Crocidolite (1950-1969) and amosite (1945- power tools. Exposed surfaces and acid
1980) have been used in the manufacture of conditions will remove cement matrix and
asbestos cement, although chrysotile (used concentrate unbound fibres on surface and
until November 1999) is by far the most sheet laps. Cleaning asbestos-containing
common type found. roofs may also release fibres.

Asbestos cement, Trafford tile, 'Bigsix',

'Doublesix', 'Supersix', 'Twin twelve',
'Combined sheet', 'Glen six', '3'' & 6''
corrugated', 'Fort', 'Monad', 'Troughsec',
'Major tile and Canada tile', 'Panel sheet',
'Cavity decking'.

Semi-compressed flat Partitioning in farm buildings and infill As for profiled sheets. Release as for profiled sheets.
sheet and partition board panels for housing, shuttering in Also 10-25% chrysotile and some amosite Flat building sheets, partition board,
industrial buildings, decorative for asbestos wood used for firedoors etc. ‘Poilite’.
panels for facings, bath panels, Composite panels contained ~4% chrysotile
soffits, linings to walls and ceilings, or crocidolite.
portable buildings, propagation beds
in horticulture, domestic structural
uses, fire surrounds, composite
panels for fire protection, weather
boarding.

Fully compressed flat As above but where stronger As for profiled sheets. Release as for profiled sheets.
sheet used for tiles, materials are required and as Asbestos-containing roofing slate (eg
slates, board cladding, decking and roof slates (eg 'Eternit', 'Turners', 'Speakers'), 'Everite',
roller-skating rinks, laboratory 'Turnall', 'Diamond AC', 'JM slate', 'Glasal
worktops). AC', 'Emalie, Eflex', 'Colourglaze',
'Thrutone', 'Weatherall'.

13
Pre-formed moulded Cable troughs and conduits. Cisterns As for profiled sheets. Release as for profiled sheets.
products and extruded and tanks. Drains and sewer 'Everite', 'Turnall', 'Promenade tiles'.
products pressure pipes. Fencing. Flue pipes.
Rainwater goods.
Roofing components (fascias, soffits,
etc). Ventilators and ducts. Weather
boarding. Windowsills and boxes,
bath panels, draining boards,
extraction hoods, copings,
promenade tiles etc.
 Asbestos product Location/use Asbestos content and type/date last used Ease of fibre release and product names

Other encapsulated
materials
Textured coatings Decorative/flexible coatings on walls 3-5% chrysotile asbestos. Generally fibres are well contained in the
and ceilings. matrix but may be released when old
Chrysotile added up to 1984 but non- coating is sanded down or scraped off.
asbestos versions were available from the 'Artex', 'Wondertex', 'Suretex', 'Newtex',
mid-1970s. 'Pebblecoat', 'Marblecoat'.

14
Bitumen products Roofing felts and shingles, semi-rigid Chrysotile fibre or asbestos paper Fibre release unlikely during normal use.
asbestos bitumen roofing. (approximately 100% asbestos) in bitumen Roofing felts, dpc and bitumen-based
Gutter linings and flashings. matrix, usually 8% chrysotile. sealants must not be burnt after removal.
Bitumen damp-proof courses (dpc). Used up to 1992. See felts and papers.
Asbestos/bitumen coatings on
metals. [Car body underseals.]

Bitumen mastics and adhesives Adhesives may contain up to a few per cent
(used for floor tiles and wall chrysotile asbestos. Used up to 1992.
coverings).

Flooring Thermoplastic floor tiles. Up to 25% asbestos. Fibre release is unlikely to be a hazard
under normal service conditions. Fibre may
PVC vinyl floor tiles and unbacked Normally 7% chrysotile. be released when material is cut, and there
PVC flooring. may be substantial release where flooring
Paper backing approximately 100% residue, particularly paper backing, is
Asbestos paper-backed PVC floors. chrysotile asbestos. Used up to 1992. power-sanded. 'Novilon', 'Serval asbestos'.

Magnesium oxychloride flooring used About 2% asbestos. Very hard, fibre release unlikely.
in WCs, staircases and industrial
flooring.

Reinforced PVC Panels and cladding. 1-10% chrysotile asbestos. Fibre release is unlikely.

Reinforced plastic and Used for toilet cisterns, seats, Plastics usually contain 1-10% chrysotile Fibres unlikely to be released, limited
resin composites banisters, window seals, lab bench asbestos. Some amphiboles were used to emissions during cutting.
tops. give improved acid resistance, eg car 'Sindanyo', 'Siluminite', 'Feroasbestos'.
batteries.
Brakes and clutches in machines. Resins were reinforced with woven Minor emissions when braking, most
chrysotile cloth, usually contain 20-50% asbestos degrades with frictional heat.
asbestos.
Insulating board/ceiling tiles determined by the risk assessment under CAWR
(eg disposable overalls, overshoes/Wellington boots
41 Insulating board is usually homogeneous, but and a suitable respirator). The type of material
repairs and replacement boards and tiles may have sampled and the amount of disturbance of asbestos
been fitted. One sample per room or every 25 m2 is material will dictate the type of respirator. Airborne
usually adequate. If there is evidently more than one emissions should normally be controlled by pre-
type of panel, then representative samples of each wetting the material to be sampled, with water
should be taken. Larger installations completed at and/or a suitable wetting agent. This may involve
the same time may require only a few tile samples to spraying the surface (eg boards and sheets) or
be taken. Some replacement panels may look the injecting (eg lagging and sprays). Shadow
same. Inspection of the hidden side of the board or vacuuming (holding the suction inlet close to the
tile may, where access permits, reveal the trade area where dust is being produced) with a Type H
name of the materials and/or differences in colour (BS 5415) vacuum cleaner should be used if wetting
which indicate variations in the material. is likely to be incomplete (eg A/C, AIB boards, ropes
and gaskets) or if it is not safe to do so (eg it may
Asbestos cement materials drip into electrical installations). Special sampling
precautions are used for pipe lagging (see below).
42 These are homogeneous materials which are
commonly encountered as corrugated and flat 45 The areas to be sampled inside buildings
sheets or as various moulded products. In older should as far as possible be unoccupied. Sampling
buildings, most pre-formed exterior cement sheets should not be undertaken in normally occupied
can be strongly presumed to be asbestos, and only areas, but if in constant use, periods of minimal
limited sampling is needed to confirm the occupation should be chosen. The nature of the
presumption. The risk from falls through asbestos area, the likely release of dust and the proximity and
cement roofs usually means that sampling is nature of future work will dictate the precautions
restricted. If sampling is required, one sample of required to prevent the spread of asbestos. Entry of
each type of sheet or product (eg gutters, down- other people to any sampling area should be
pipes, etc) should be taken. Repeated sampling is restricted or suitable warnings posted (eg a notice
not usually necessary unless areas of replaced with wording such as ‘Asbestos sampling in
sheets are found. Asbestos cement (A/C) sheets are progress – keep out’). Care should be taken to
visually very similar to their non-asbestos (fibre- minimise the disturbance to the ACMs and any dust
cement) replacement. Fibre-cement replacement or debris that might be present. Surfaces onto which
sheets are identifiable by a code ‘NT’ placed near asbestos debris may fall should be protected with a
the edge of the sheet, where they overlap. Some sheet of impervious material such as polythene
newer asbestos sheets have the code ‘AT’ in a which can be easily cleaned by wet-wiping or using
similar position. a suitable type 'H' vacuum cleaner. All samples must
be individually sealed in their own container or a
Other materials sealable polythene bag which is then sealed in a
second container or polythene bag. The sample
43 Where there are distinct types of materials, then area should be left clean with no evidence of debris
one or two samples from each separate source will from the sampling operation and any sampling
usually be adequate. Two samples are points sealed to prevent the release of fibres. A
recommended if there is more than a few square variety of methods are used to reseal the sampling
metres of material. point (eg tapes and fillers).

BULK SAMPLING PROCEDURES Sample and site labelling

Safe systems of work 46 Whenever a sample is collected, it should be

labelled with a unique identifier that is also recorded
44 All work to be carried out must have an in the survey documentation, records and site plans
adequate risk assessment of the survey site (see so that the sample origin can be traced at a later
paragraph 25) and the work must be carried out date. The sampling position at the site may also be
according to the procedures defined in the risk labelled with the same identifier. Visual records such
assessment. The work should minimise the as marked-up plans and/or photographic records
disruption to the client’s operations and must protect showing the location and extent of the sample are
the health and safety of all persons who may be at also effective ways of recording the sampling
risk (see CAWR). Sampling personnel must wear position and the location of the ACMs.
adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), as

15
Bulk sampling should be inspected for areas of existing damage,
where a sample can be collected more easily.
Spray coatings and bulk materials Otherwise, a small sample should be taken from a
discrete location at the corner or edge of the panel,
47 If the coating is encapsulated, it can be pre- with a sharp knife or chisel blade to lever off a
injected with liquid around the sampling area then sample.
carefully cut with a sharp knife or scalpel in order to
lift a small flap to retrieve a sample. If the spray is Asbestos cement
uncovered, both wetting (spraying surface and
injection) and shadow vacuuming may be necessary 51 Asbestos cement is usually very hard and it is
to reduce airborne emissions. As sprays are preferable to seek a damaged portion where it will
generally homogeneous, a surface sample which be easier to remove a small sample. The sample
will cause only a small disturbance should suffice. size should be about 5 cm2 as it will be necessary to
search for traces of amphibole asbestos such as
Pipe insulation crocidolite. The sample should be obtained using
the pliers or a screwdriver blade to remove a small
48 The area to be sampled should be fully wetted section from an edge or corner. (Samples should
first; injection techniques are recommended. not be collected from roofs without special
Samples are taken with a core sampler which safety precautions to prevent falls through the
should penetrate to the full depth of the pipe fragile sheets.)
insulation. Proprietary types are available, but
laboratory cork borers are also suitable. It should Gaskets, rope, seals, paper, felts and textiles
include a plunger to remove the sample from the
borer. The sample point hole should be made safe 52 Samples can be taken using a sharp knife to cut
after sampling (eg covered with tape or filled with a a representative portion from the material.
suitable inert filler), if the pipe is to remain in place
and the surface was originally intact. This helps to Floor and wall coverings
keep the insulation in good condition and to prevent
dispersal of asbestos. The borer should have a ‘wet- 53 Samples should be cut out with a sharp knife,
wipe’ pushed down to form a plug inside the borer usually taking one sample from tiles of each type or
and another wrapped around the outside. The borer colour present. The area should be cleaned after
is then used to take a full-depth sample of the sampling but the fibre release is likely to be very
insulation. The inner wet-wipe is used to seal the low, unless the asbestos is present as a lining or
surface of the insulation where the borer enters and backing material.
disturbs the insulation. The outer wet-wipe is used to
clean the outside of the borer as it is withdrawn, and Textured coatings
the contaminated wet-wipe can be placed in the
sample bag. The sample is removed by using a 54 Samples should be obtained by carefully
plunger to push the sample out into the polythene scraping the coating with a screwdriver, directing the
bag, complete with the wet-wipe. Further cleaning material into the sample container held below the
will be required to completely clean the sampling sampling point.
equipment between sampling.
Air sampling
49 An alternative approach is to use core sampling
tubes in which the sample is retained. Again the 55 Personal air sampling can be carried out to
core tube can be withdrawn through a wet-wipe and measure the exposures of survey and sampling
then capped both ends and placed in a bag until it personnel. Occasionally there may be a request for
reaches the laboratory. Chicken-wire was often air sampling if the ACMs are a matter of sensitivity
included within pipe insulation. This may hamper to the occupants. Such requests need careful
sampling, and a thin core sample may need to be appraisal, as the area may already be contaminated,
taken. Where there is pipe insulation which is even before the bulk sampling is carried out. The
obviously new and non-asbestos, the possibility of procedures for reassurance air sampling as
debris from an earlier asbestos strip beneath the described in MDHS 39/417 should be used.
new insulation should be investigated.
Sample analysis and reporting
Insulating board
56 Analysis of the samples collected should be
50 Materials such as ceiling tiles or wall panels carried out and reported in accordance with the

16
method given in MDHS 7710 or an equivalent assessment approach suitable for a Type 1 or Type
method. The laboratory report should for each 2 survey is given below, based on a simplified
sample give a clear statement of whether asbestos additive algorithm. For pre-demolition Type 3
was found and the types of asbestos identified. surveys, no assessment is necessary.

Survey report format Material assessment algorithm

57 There are a number of ways the survey results 59 The four main parameters which will determine
may be reported and presented. However, the report the amount of fibre release from an ACM when
must clearly identify the: subject to a standard disturbance are:

■ location (eg building identifier, floor number or ■ product type;

level, room identifier and position);
■ extent of damage or deterioration;
■ extent (area, length, thickness and volume, as
appropriate); ■ surface treatment; and

■ product type (see Table 1); ■ asbestos type.

■ level of identification (presumed, strongly Each parameter is scored as: high = 3, medium = 2
presumed or identified); and or low = 1; two categories also allow a nil score. The
value assigned to each of the four parameters is
■ asbestos type (chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite added together to give a total score of between 2
etc). and 12. Presumed or strongly presumed asbestos-
containing materials are scored as crocidolite (3),
If an assessment is carried out for a Type 1 or Type unless analysis of similar samples from the building
2 survey, the following will also be recorded: shows a different asbestos type, or if there is a
reasoned argument that another type of asbestos
■ accessibility; was almost always used (see paragraph 30 and
Table 1). Examples of scoring for each parameter
■ amount of damage or deterioration; and are given in Table 2.

■ surface treatment (if any). 60 Materials with assessment scores of 10 or more

are regarded as having a high potential to release
Laboratory results should be appended. Materials fibres, if disturbed. Scores of between 7 and 9 are
which have been sampled and found not to contain regarded as having a medium potential, and
asbestos after analysis also need recording as between 5 and 6 a low potential. Scores of 4 or less
‘ASBESTOS NOT DETECTED’, as the asbestos have a very low potential to release fibres. Non-
content of these materials may be questioned in asbestos materials are not scored. The material
future and it will save a great deal of time and cost if assessment score should be calculated and
this has been clearly recorded in the first instance. recorded as part of the survey.
The survey report or abstracts from it should be
presented in a form that can be used as the basis of Risk assessment and management plans
a register or log of ACMs and therefore should be
both accessible and updatable. 61 The material assessment identifies the high-risk
materials, that is, those which will most readily
ASSESSMENT release airborne fibres if disturbed. It does not
automatically follow that those materials assigned
58 The new duty to manage under CAWR will the highest score in the material assessment will be
require a written plan to be produced, specifying the the materials that should be given priority for a
measures to be taken to control and manage the remedial action. Management priority must be
risk from identified and presumed ACMs. An determined by carrying out a risk assessment which
important stage of this process is to assess the will take into account factors such as:
potential for fibre release of each ACM found. To
help make the assessment, in a structured and ■ the location of the material;
recordable way, various tools have been developed.
Algorithms and decision diagrams (decision ■ its extent;
trees/flow charts) have been widely used with
various degrees of success. A standardised ■ the use to which the location is put;

17
Table 2: Material assessment algorithm

Sample variable Score Examples of scores (see notes for

more detail)

Product type 1 Asbestos-reinforced composites

(or debris from product) (plastics, resins, mastics, roofing
felts, vinyl floor tiles, semi-rigid paints
or decorative finishes, asbestos cement etc).

2 Asbestos insulating board, mill

boards, other low density insulation
boards, asbestos textiles, gaskets,
ropes and woven textiles, asbestos
paper and felt.

3 Thermal insulation (eg pipe and boiler

lagging), sprayed asbestos, loose
asbestos, asbestos mattresses and
packing.

Extent of damage/deterioration 0 Good condition: no visible damage.

1 Low damage: a few scratches or surface

marks; broken edges on boards, tiles etc.

2 Medium damage: significant breakage of

materials or several small areas where
material has been damaged revealing loose
asbestos fibres.

3 High damage or delamination of materials,

sprays and thermal insulation. Visible
asbestos debris.

Surface treatment 0 Composite materials containing asbestos:

reinforced plastics, resins, vinyl tiles.

1 Enclosed sprays and lagging, AIB (with

exposed face painted or encapsulated),
asbestos cement sheets etc.

2 Unsealed AIB, or encapsulated lagging and

sprays.

3 Unsealed lagging and sprays.

Asbestos type 1 Chrysotile.

2 Amphibole asbestos excluding crocidolite.

3 Crocidolite.

Total

18
■ the occupancy of the area; ■ the name and address of the organisation
carrying out the survey;
■ the activities carried on in the area; and
■ the names of the surveyors;
■ the likelihood/frequency with which
maintenance activities are likely to take place. ■ the name and address of the person who
commissioned the survey;
62 The risk assessment can only be carried out
with the detailed knowledge of all the above. ■ the name and address of the premises
Although a surveyor may have some of the surveyed;
information which will contribute to the risk
assessment and may be part of an assessment ■ the date of the report;
team, the duty holder under CAWR is required to
make the risk assessment, using the information ■ the date of the survey;
given in the survey and their detailed knowledge of
the activities carried out within the premises. The ■ the purpose, aims and objective of the survey;
risk assessment will form the basis of the
management plan (see paragraph 6). Further ■ a description of the areas included in the
information on risk assessments and management survey;
of asbestos will be available as separate HSE
guidance. ■ a description of any areas excluded from the
survey;
DOCUMENTATION
■ the survey method used (this MDHS and/or
Presentation of results other documented procedures);
63 The results must be recorded in a clear,
■ the type of survey undertaken (Type 1, Type 2
comprehensible, readily accessible and usable form.
or Type 3) and, if more than one type is used,
For all but the simplest survey, a computer database
where they apply within the premises;
of suitable form is useful, as it enables the records
to be kept up-to-date and to be readily accessible by
■ any variations or deviations from the method;
various means (eg intranets, the Internet and other
and
data transfer technologies). A database can be used
to record all the remedial work carried out and to
■ agreed exclusions and inaccessible areas.
prompt the building manager to carry out and record
any further inspections which are required. Some
databases can also link digital picture images of a 66 The survey report should include a set of
sample and CAD plans. marked-up plans (quality will depend on what was
available) and a table, spreadsheet or database
Reporting requirements containing the following descriptors:

64 The final report, depending on the type of ■ location (eg building identifier, floor number or
survey undertaken, may contain the following level, room identifier and position);
sections:
■ extent (area, length, thickness and volume, as
■ general site and survey information; appropriate);

■ survey report; ■ product type (see Table 1);

■ bulk analysis report; ■ level of identification (presumed, strongly

presumed or identified); and
■ material assessment/report.
■ asbestos type (chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite
If it is to be used as an integral part of the etc).
management plan, it will also require sections for
review and update. For a Type 1 or Type 2 survey, the following
descriptors should also be used:
65 General site and survey information should
include: ■ accessibility;

19
■ amount of damage or deterioration; and 68 All surveying organisations should have and
implement policies for quality control and quality
■ surface treatment (if any); assurance procedures. Quality control checks, such
as re-inspection (and, if necessary, corrective
and the material assessment score or category action) should be carried out on work in progress.
(high, medium, low or very low) given. The numbers of repeat samples should be adequate
to detect errors and will vary with the complexity and
For Type 2 and 3 surveys, a bulk analysis report variety of the materials being surveyed. All the
should also be attached and include: procedures of a surveying organisation should be
quality assured by carrying out audits of completed
■ the name and address of the laboratory carrying surveys.
out the bulk identification;
69 The laboratory should be able to demonstrate
■ a reference to the method used; its competence to carry out bulk asbestos analysis
(eg staff training records, certificates from external
■ the laboratory’s current United Kingdom training providers, testing programmes, participation
Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation for in quality assurance schemes, satisfactory
bulk asbestos analysis/sampling and performance in national proficiency testing
accreditation number; programmes, accreditation to ISO 17025 or be able
to demonstrate equivalence). The Asbestos in
■ a table or appendix summarising the results of Materials Scheme (AIMS) is the UK national
the bulk analysis, including asbestos found or proficiency testing programme for bulk asbestos
not found and types identified, by sample analysis. Individual analysts can also demonstrate
identifier; competency through training records and
satisfactory performance in a quality assurance
■ dates the bulk analysis was carried out and scheme. It is recommended that samples or
reported by the laboratory; and representative sub-samples are kept after analysis
for at least six months to allow checks to be made.
■ the names and signatures of the analyst and
any countersigning person. REFERENCES

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURES 1 Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 HMSO
1974 ISBN 0 10 543774 3
67 The person or persons responsible for
surveying the premises have to use a high level of 2 Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations
subjective assessment, and need adequate training, 1987 SI 1987/2115 The Stationery Office
experience and time to carry out the survey. It is ISBN 0 11 078115 5; Control of Asbestos at Work
important that procedures used for conducting the (Amendment) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/3068 The
survey, assessing and documenting the findings are Stationery Office ISBN 0 11 025738 3; and Control
clearly recorded. Organisations offering an asbestos of Asbestos at Work (Amendment) Regulations
survey service should be able to comply with the 1998 SI 1998/3235 The Stationery Office
standard set out in EN 45004 (General criteria for ISBN 0 11 080277 2
the operation of various types of bodies performing
inspection). Accreditation to EN 45004 for 3 Management of health and safety at work.
organisations undertaking asbestos surveys will be Management of Health and Safety at Work
available from UKAS. Accreditation to ISO 17025 for Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and
organisations sampling and/or analysing asbestos- guidance L21 (Second edition) HSE Books 2000
containing materials is currently available from ISBN 0 7176 2488 9
UKAS. Please address enquiries to UKAS, 21-47
High Street, Feltham, Middlesex TW13 4UN (tel: 4 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
020 8917 8555). An individual proficiency module Regulations 1992. Approved Code of Practice and
(P402) on building surveys and bulk sampling is guidance L24 HSE Books 1992 ISBN 0 7176 0413 6
currently offered through the British Institute of
Occupational Hygiene (BIOH), Suite 2, Georgian 5 Construction (Design and Management)
House, Great Northern Road, Derby DE1 1LT (tel: Regulations 1994 SI 1994/3140 The Stationery
01332 298087). Individuals can seek personal Office 1994 ISBN 0 11 043845 0
certification to undertake asbestos surveys from
certification bodies accredited to EN45013 by
UKAS.

20
6 Proposals for amendments to the Control of 17 Asbestos fibres in air: Sampling and evaluation
Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987: A new by phase contrast microscopy (PCM) under the
Approved Code of Practice and a minor amendment Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations MDHS
to the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) 39/4 HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1113 2
Regulations 1998 CD 159 HSE Books 2000
18 Managing asbestos in workplace buildings
7 Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 INDG223 HSE Books 1998
SI 1983/1649 The Stationery Office
ISBN 0 11 037649 8; Asbestos (Licensing) 19 Work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating
(Amendment) Regulations 1998 SI 1998/3233 The and asbestos insulating board. Control of Asbestos
Stationery Office ISBN 0 11 080279 9; A guide to at Work Regulations 1987. Approved Code of
the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 as Practice L28 (Third edition) HSE Books 1999
amended L11 (Second edition) HSE Books 1999 ISBN 0 7176 1674 6
ISBN 0 7176 2435 8
20 Controlled asbestos stripping techniques for
8 The control of asbestos at work. Control of work requiring a licence HSG189/1 HSE Books
Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987. Approved 1999 ISBN 0 7176 1666 5
Code of Practice L27 (Third edition) HSE Books
1999 ISBN 0 7176 1673 8 21 Working with asbestos cement HSG189/2
(Second edition) 1999 ISBN 0 7176 1667 3
9 Asbestos and man-made mineral fibres in
buildings: Practical guidance DETR (Fourth edition) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thomas Telford 1999 ISBN 0 7277 2835 0
This document was produced with the assistance of
10 Asbestos in bulk materials: Sampling and Working Group 2 of the Committee of Fibre
identification by polarised light microscopy MDHS 77 Measurement. The members who contributed were:
HSE Books 1994 ISBN 0 7176 0677 5 John Addison (John Addison Consultancy); Tracey
Boyle (HSE); Garry Burdett* (HSL); Laurie Davies
11 Selection of suitable respiratory protective (Institute of Occupational Medicine); Andy Martin
equipment for work with asbestos INDG288 HSE (United Kingdom Accreditation Service); Jean
Books 1999 ISBN 0 7176 2456 0 Prentice (McCrone Scientific Ltd); Bill Sanderson
(Casella Science and Environment Ltd); Damian
12 Health and safety in construction HSG150 HSE Stear (HSE); and Barry Tylee (HSL). Contributors of
Books 1997 ISBN 0 7176 1143 4 images to Annex 1 included: British Gas, Casella
Science and Environment Ltd, HSE, HSL, McCrone
13 General COSHH ACOP (Control of substances Scientific Ltd and SP Shutler Associates Ltd.
hazardous to health) and Carcinogens ACOP
(Control of carcinogenic substances) and Biological *Contact for queries. Health and Safety Laboratory,
agents ACOP (Control of biological agents). Control Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ.
of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
1999. Approved Codes of Practice L5 (Second
edition) HSE Books 1999 ISBN 0 7176 1670 3

14 Construction site health and safety checklist

CIS17(rev) HSE Books 1996

15 Reducing noise at work: Guidance on the Noise

at Work Regulations 1989 L108 HSE Books 2000
ISBN 0 7176 1511 1

16 Safe work in confined spaces. Confined Spaces

Regulations 1997. Approved Code of Practice,
Regulations and guidance L101 HSE Books 1997
ISBN 0 7176 1405 0

21
 Figure 1 Asbestos building
Typical locations for the most common asbestos-
containing materials
●
31 ●
14

ROOF AND EXTERIOR WALLS

KEY
●12 Roof sheets, slates and tiles
●3 Wall cladding
Guttering and drainpipe
●4 Soffit boards
●5 Panel beneath window
●6 Roofing felt and coating to metal wall cladding
●
BOILER, VESSELS AND PIPEWORK
●7 Lagging on boiler, pipework, calorifier etc.
●8 Damaged lagging and associated debris
●9 Paper lining under non-asbestos pipe lagging
●
10 Gasket in pipe and vessel joints
●
11 Rope seal on boiler access hatch and between
cast iron boiler sections
● 12 Paper lining inside steel boiler casing
● 13 Boiler flue

CEILINGS
●
32

●
14 Spray coating to ceiling, walls, beams/columns ●
33

●
15 Loose asbestos in ceiling/floor cavity
●
16 Tiles, slats, canopies and firebreaks above ceilings
●
25
●
17 Textured coatings and paints
●
34
INTERIOR WALLS/PANELS ●
26

●
18 Loose asbestos inside partition walls ●
37

●
19 Partition walls
●
20 Panel beneath window
●
21 Panel lining to lift shaft ●
24

●
22 Panelling to vertical and horizontal beams
●
23 Panel behind electrical equipment
●
24 Panel on access hatch to service riser
●
25 Panel lining service riser and floor
●
26 Heater cupboard around domestic boiler
●
27 Panel behind/under heater ●
20
●
28 Panel on, or inside, fire door
●
29 Bath panel

FLOORING MATERIALS
●
36

● 30 Floor tiles, linoleum and paper backing,

lining to suspended floor

AIR HANDLING SYSTEMS

●
31 Lagging
●
32 Gaskets
●
33 Anti-vibration gaiter

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES
●
34 Gaskets, rope seals and panels in domestic boilers
●
35 ‘Caposil’ insulating blocks, panels, paper,
string etc in domestic heater Note: This diagram does not show
●
36 String seals on radiators all possible uses and locations of
asbestos-containing materials.
OTHER A detailed survey will be required to
● 37 Fire blanket identify all asbestos-containing
● 38 Water tank materials present in a building.
● 39 Brake/clutch lining

22
●
16 ●
39 ●
38 ●
18 ●
22 ●
17 ●
5 ●
1 4 ●
● 3 ●
2

●
19 ● 7 ●
29 ● 21 ●
9 ● 28 ●
35 ●
27 ● 30 ●
7 15 ●
● 23 ●7 ●
10●
8 ● 11 ●
12 ● 13 ●
6

23
ANNEX 1: WHAT ACMs LOOK LIKE AND WHERE
TO FIND THEM

Examples of the main types, locations and uses of

ACMs in premises are given below to help people
recognise materials which may contain asbestos.
This is only a small selection of the range of
asbestos-containing materials used, but should
cover many of the main uses of asbestos in
premises.

Product types

1 Loose asbestos insulation

Some fire doors contained loose asbestos insulation

sandwiched between the wooden or metal facings to
give them the appropriate fire rating. Loose
asbestos was also packed around electrical cables,
1b Loose insulation with paper cover degraded under a dance
sometimes using chicken wire to contain it. floor.
Mattresses containing loose asbestos were widely
manufactured for thermal insulation. Acoustic 2 Sprayed asbestos coatings
insulation has been provided between floors by the
use of loose asbestos in paper bags, and in some These are normally homogeneous coatings sprayed
areas near asbestos works it is not unknown for or trowelled onto reinforced concrete or steel
loose asbestos to have been used as a readily columns or beams as fireproofing. Sprays were also
available form of loft insulation. commonly used on the underside of ceilings for
fireproofing and sound and thermal insulation in
many high-rise premises. Warehouses and factories
commonly had sprayed asbestos applied to walls,
ceilings and metal support structures for fireproofing
and thermal/anti-condensation insulation purposes.
In some larger spaces, sprays were also applied to
walls and ceilings for acoustic and decorative
purposes (theatres, cinemas, studios, halls etc). The
depth of the spray depended on the fire rating and
substrate, and may vary from 10 to 150 mm thick.
The dry sprayed coatings may have a candyfloss
appearance if left untamped (rarely found in the UK).
The wet sprayed/trowelled coatings are usually
denser, and those with higher proportions of
Portland cement that have been well tamped can be
quite hard. Surfaces may be sealed with an
elasticised paint or proprietary encapsulant,
sometimes reinforced with calico or man-made fibre
mesh, or left completely unsealed. Spray coatings
are vulnerable to accidental damage and also to
1a Acoustic insulation in a ceiling void with a 'Jiffy bag'-type
delamination due to water leakage releasing debris
construction, with paper container punctured for electrical wiring.
onto the floor and other horizontal surfaces.
Overspray onto areas and recesses surrounding the
object that was being coated is common. Spray
coatings may have deteriorated significantly since
installation and must be treated with caution.

24
2a Cementitious sprayed chrysotile asbestos on a ceiling for 2c Sprayed amosite fireproofing on steel roof support beams in
decorative and fireproofing purposes, showing evidence of a return air plenum showing signs of damage and wear at the
previous damage and repair. bottom caused by access for maintenance.

2b Poorly tamped sprayed chrysotile fireproofing on a 2d Sprayed crocidolite asbestos (100 mm thick) applied as
structural steel beam holding up a concrete floor showing some thermal insulation to the underside of an asbestos cement roof.
overspray onto the concrete and damage by electrical work. From top to bottom, the encapsulated spray, the spray without
encapsulant and removed spray from the A/C cement sheets.

25
 instead of the pre-formed sections. For bends, joins,
small sections of pipe and repairs, an asbestos-
containing plaster was wet-mixed on-site and hand-
applied to the areas. Larger installations were also
insulated with asbestos-containing plaster which
was marketed as 'plastic', but various local names
were used for this hand-applied insulation (eg
‘muck’). Larger thicknesses of insulation would use
pre-formed blocks (eg 'Caposil') which would be
wired in place and various other coatings or layers
applied, depending on the insulation required. Very
hard-wearing coatings were known as 'Bulldog'
finishes and may contain metal sheets and/or
chicken wire reinforcement beneath a hard plaster
finish. External pipes may also be clad with sheet
metal or painted with bitumen to give additional
weatherproofing. As installers would often use
whatever materials were available to hand or in
stock, it is very common to find variations on the
2e Close-up of the surface of sprayed amosite insulation
same pipe or boiler. Particular attention must be
(~40 mm thick) on the underside of an asbestos cement roof.
paid to bends and valves, or where it is evident that
repairs have been made.

2f Sprayed crocidolite thermal insulation applied to external 3a Asbestos-insulated water pipes in a loft, sealed and in good
wall cladding and enclosed behind non-asbestos wallboard. condition.

3 Thermal insulation

Asbestos was widely used for thermal insulation of

pipes, boilers and heat exchangers. There are a
number of different types and forms of insulation,
often with multi-layer construction. The simplest
form to apply was pre-formed sections of asbestos
insulation made to fit the diameter of the pipe. These
would be strapped on and calico-wrapped and
sometimes painted (eg ‘Decadex’ finish), or sealed
with a hard plaster (often asbestos-containing) to
give protection against knocks and abrasion. Other
types of asbestos-containing felts, blankets, tapes,
ropes and corrugated papers were also used

26
3b Asbestos-insulated water pipes in a loft, showing evidence 3d Asbestos pipe lagging on central heating pipes at the
of maintenance work damage, with detached pre-formed sections entrance of an underground crawl tunnel to adjacent premises.
and calico wrapping.

3c Asbestos pipe lagging in a service riser, with calico 3e Asbestos-lagged pipe with a polymeric encapsulant
wrapping and straps. 'Decadex’ finish.

27
3f Asbestos-lagged boiler with a hard plaster coating. 3h Badly degraded external asbestos-lagged pipe in an
industrial plant, with asbestos rope wound around the bends.

3g High-pressure steam pipes in a power station with a 3i Example of hand-applied ‘hard set’ insulation, partially
‘Bulldog’ finish over 'Caposil' insulation blocks. removed from a pipe.

28
4 Millboard

Millboard was used when a low-cost, relatively soft

low-density board with modest mechanical
properties but with good fire, insulation, thermal and
electrical properties could be specified. Generally
found in industrial premises, but has been used as
exterior lining to ventilation ducts and was
commonly used inside fire doors.

5a Typical use of AIB in system-built flats. The internal AIB

panel is visible behind a broken flat sheet (possibly asbestos
cement) with textured coating (possibly chrysotile asbestos-
containing) with MMMF insulation in between.

4a Removal of a piece of low density millboard from an

electrical cable box.

5 Asbestos insulating board (AIB)

Widely used in premises for internal partition walls

and linings and for fire protection, acoustic and
thermal insulation. Suspended ceiling tiles were
often made from AIB. Insulating boards come in a
range of densities and can be subject to damage by
the use of moderate force (eg kicking). There may
be variations due to later construction of partition
walls as part of a redevelopment or refurbishment.
All kinds of combinations may be found and
5b Painted AIB on ceiling.
surveyors must be alert for all possibilities. Areas
around lift shafts, stairwells and service risers in
multi-storey buildings were commonly lined or faced
with AIB or composites. Similarly, areas around gas
fires and central heating boilers were also
constructed from AIB. Fire doors were also faced
with AIB to achieve the appropriate fire rating. AIB is
usually found inside premises, but weather-
protected exterior areas such as porches and soffits
may contain AIB.

29
5c Painted AIB partition wall in a factory. 5e Painted AIB fire surround.

5d AIB around a service riser shaft (showing cut and uncut 5f Painted AIB soffits.
edges).

30
5g Painted AIB facing to a fire door with some damage around 5i Close-up of AIB with adhesive coating the top surface,
the door furniture. showing the fibrous nature of the material.

6 Asbestos insulating board (AIB) in

composite materials

Asbestos insulating board was used in composite

materials and may be sandwiched between or
surfaced with non-asbestos products such as straw
board, plywood, metal mesh, sheet metal and
plasterboard.

5h Perforated AIB ceiling tiles, showing a small area of

damage around a light fitting.

6a AIB inside an interior wall faced with plasterboard.

31
7 Asbestos papers, felts and cardboard

Air conditioning trunking may be insulated internally

with ‘Paxfelt’ or externally with other asbestos-
containing felt, cardboard and paper for acoustic
and heat insulation. Asbestos papers were widely
used to line the surfaces of other boards, ceiling tiles
and sheet materials.

7c Chrysotile paper-lined strawboard.

8 Asbestos textiles

Asbestos textiles were manufactured for primary

heat (eg insulation tapes and ropes) or fire
protection uses (eg fire blankets, fire curtains, fire-
resistant clothing). Textiles were also used widely as
a reinforcing material in friction products/composites
(see section 15).
7a Example of the use of asbestos cardboard.

7b Foil-backed asbestos cardboard insulation inside a warm air

8a Example of asbestos tape on a domestic water heater.
heater.

32
8b Asbestos gaiter between pipe flanges. 8d Asbestos rope seal in a domestic gas boiler.

8c Asbestos fire blanket. 8e Asbestos rope used as packing/seal where pipe passes
through a wall.

33
9 Asbestos gaskets, washers and strings

A wide range of asbestos gaskets have been

produced and used for sealing pipe and valve joints
in industrial plant, but they may also be found in
some older domestic boilers etc. Asbestos string
was widely used in the past by plumbers for sealing
various screw thread joints.

9c Gasket material adhering to a pipe flange.

10 Asbestos cement sheets and tiles used for

roofing and cladding

Asbestos cement (A/C) has been extensively used

for roofing and exterior cladding on industrial, public
and some domestic premises. Corrugated/profile
sheets are commonly found, but flat sheets have
also been widely used for exterior and some interior
cladding (eg panels below windows and on walls in
older prefabricated housing).

9a Asbestos tape, string, rope and gasket in a maintenance

repair cabinet (note also the shiny vitreous appearance of a non-
asbestos MMMF replacement tape to the left).

10a Asbestos cement roof (seen from inside).

9b Asbestos string.

34
10b Asbestos cement roof (weathered exterior). 10d Asbestos cement roofing slate.

10e View of the broken edge of an asbestos cement slate

showing chrysotile asbestos fibres embedded in the cement
matrix.

10c Asbestos cement vertical cladding.

35
11 Moulded asbestos cement products

A wide range of moulded compressed A/C products

have been used inside premises (eg waste pipes,
cold water tanks, flues etc) and outside premises
(eg gutters, downpipes, flues, cowls, etc). Many
other items have been moulded from asbestos
cement. Asbestos cement pipes are also used
underground (eg from local drainage to regional
water supply systems).

11c Asbestos cement external flue, rain water gutter and profile
roofing sheet.

11a Asbestos cement water tank.

11b Asbestos cement flue from a domestic boiler. 11d Asbestos cement downpipe, hopper and profile sheet.

36
 13 Bitumen products

Bitumen-based roofing felts and damp-proof courses

have been widely reinforced by the addition of
asbestos, usually in the form of chrysotile paper.
Bitumen-based wall and floor coverings were also
produced. Some mastics used to stick the bitumen
products commonly had asbestos added to them to
provide flexibility. Other sealants also had asbestos
added to improve the performance of the product.

11e Asbestos cement pipes.

12 Textured coatings, paints and plasters used

for decorative effects

These were often manufactured containing up to a

few per cent of asbestos. 'Artex', 'Wondertex',
'Suretex', 'Newtex', 'Pebblecoat' and 'Marblecoat'
are examples of typical trade products, which
usually contained a few per cent of chrysotile
asbestos.
13a Weathered asbestos-containing roofing felt (less weathered
material is black).

12a Example of painted chrysotile textured coating on a ceiling.

37
14 Flooring products

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) tiles were

manufactured with added asbestos to meet a British
Standard and often contain a few per cent (5-7%) of
very fine chrysotile. Black and brown thermoplastic
tiles containing larger amounts and often visible
clumps of chrysotile were also produced. Sheet floor
coverings were sometimes backed with a thin layer
of chrysotile paper (eg 'Novilon', a vinyl flooring,
which was more common in Europe). Some
underfelts for carpets and linoleum were also
manufactured containing asbestos. The mastics
which were used to bond the floor covering to the
surface could also contain asbestos. Some hard-
wearing composite floors (eg magnesium
oxychloride) also contain about 2% of mineral fibres
which could be asbestos.
14c Asbestos paper-backed vinyl floor covering.

15 Asbestos-reinforced plastic/resin
composites and friction products

Asbestos-reinforced plastics and resin composite

material were used for windowsills, capping for
banisters, school and laboratory worktops, toilet
cisterns etc. The material is often black and has a
high density and scratch resistance. Asbestos
textiles were widely used as a reinforcing material in
friction products (eg conveyor and fan belts, brake
and clutch linings). Older asbestos-containing
components may still be in use or present in vehicle
repair and maintenance workshops and stores.

14a Asbestos-containing vinyl floor tiles.

15a Asbestos-reinforced plastic toilet cistern.

14b Cross-section of a broken thermoplastic floor tile showing
significant chrysotile asbestos bundles. PVC/vinyl asbestos tiles
contain short grades of finely divided chrysotile which may be
difficult to detect.

38
15b Asbestos-reinforced windowsill. 16b A ‘Durasteel’ panel.

16 Metal-asbestos composites 17 Wall jointing tapes and fillers

Flues for wood-burning stoves were commonly Chrysotile textile tapes and webbing were used to
constructed from a metal-asbestos where the reinforce wall joints before plastering. Several types
asbestos was added as insulation between the inner of wall plugs and some wall repair fillers had
and outer layers of stainless steel to give a high asbestos added to give additional strength and
degree of insulation when passing through floors flexibility. These are very difficult to locate as they
and on the outside to prevent sudden cooling of the are integrated into the plaster finish.
flue gases. 'Durasteel' metal panels were used to
provide a strong construction with a certain degree
of insulation, by incorporating a layer of asbestos
paper.

17a Examples of chrysotile ‘scrim’ tapes.

16a Metal-clad asbestos flue pipe.

39
18 Domestic appliances and products

Many domestic appliances and products contain

asbestos insulation materials for thermal or electrical
insulation, including ironing boards, hairdryers, oven
seals, simmering plates etc. Some older electric
fires and storage radiators and old gas fires with
catalytic elements or coal or log effect gas fires also
contained ACMs.

18c Asbestos tape flash guards in a fuse box.

19 Industrial sites, factories and plant

Industrial sites (eg refineries, power stations,

warehouses and factories) often contain substantial
18a Ironing board with asbestos cement sheet for iron rest. amounts of asbestos. Many of the examples given
for spray, thermal insulation and pipe lagging come
from industry. Higher-performance ACMs were
usually specified to cope with the higher
temperatures and pressures prevalent at industrial
sites. Some machinery may also incorporate
asbestos gaskets and friction products (eg clutches,
brake pads, drive belts and conveyor belts). The
higher power requirements of industry also saw
increased use of asbestos insulation in electrical
cables and switchgear.

18b ‘Caposil’ insulation from inside an old electric storage

radiator.

19a Asbestos-insulated vessel and supply pipes in a factory.

40
19b Asbestos gasket in an industrial pipe join. 20a Asbestos debris in the bottom of a service riser.

19c Asbestos cloth and tape used as electrical insulation. 20b Asbestos debris left on a walkway.

20 Dust and debris

Damaged materials will release asbestos dust and

debris. Often the source of the debris is obvious, but
if poor removal and/or a poor level of clean-up has
taken place, only asbestos dust and debris will be
left. This will have accumulated on horizontal
surfaces and in difficult-to-clean areas. Poor
removal will also leave debris, either remaining in
situ from where it should have been removed, or as
scattered debris often in difficult-to-reach or clean
areas.

41
20c Fibrous debris in a cable tray. 21a Glasswool insulation usually has a distinctive yellow colour,
even after many years of gathering dust in lofts and roof spaces.
A black layer of asbestos-containing roofing felt is, however,
visible where the insulation has been removed and the wooden
roof purling is encased in AIB. Rockwool and slagwool are also
widely used and their darker brownish or grey colour may
possibly be confused with amosite, although the texture and fibre
size is very different from asbestos. These wools may occur in
blanket form, pre-formed bats and blown as loose insulation in
cavities. MMMF textiles have a vitreous shiny appearance (see
9a) compared to asbestos textiles.

20d Sprayed asbestos debris released onto a suspended ceiling

from cable installation work.

21 Non-asbestos replacement materials

Many materials in a building will be non-asbestos,

and many of these can be readily recognised as
such. Later premises will often contain substitute
non-asbestos materials, which cannot be
differentiated without analysis. Some examples are
given below.
21b Fibre cement sheets are now widely produced as a
replacement for asbestos cement sheets and are visually similar.
However, each non-asbestos will be marked with a code
containing the letters EUR NT (new technology). Some of the
newer A/C sheets are also marked with AT (asbestos
technology).

42
ANNEX 2: EXAMPLE OF A SURVEY AND PPE for sampling
SAMPLING EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
■ Disposable overalls (hooded)
Survey equipment
■ Disposable booties or Wellington boots
■ Site plan
■ Disposable gloves
■ Log book, organiser, computer
■ Respiratory protective equipment (as per
■ Step ladder assessment)

■ Camera (film or digital) with flash and preferably

with a date and number facility

■ Torch

■ Access keys to rooms and covers

■ Screwdrivers

Bulk sampling equipment

■ Pliers

■ Screwdrivers

■ Core samplers or cork borers

■ Aluminium foil or cloth tape

■ Stanley knife with spare blades

■ Hand-spray with diluted PVA or surfactant

■ Sample bags (polythene self-seal bags)

■ Sample point labels

■ Type H vacuum

■ Asbestos waste bags of the approved type

■ Warning signs: ‘Asbestos Sampling - Keep

Clear’

■ Wet-wipes and tissues

■ Polythene sheeting

43
ANNEX 3: ASBESTOS WARNING LABEL

a
WARNING
CONTAINS
ASBESTOS
Breathing asbestos
dust is dangerous
to health

Follow safety
instructions

©Crown copyright 2001 First published 2001

Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to: Copyright Unit, Reprinted 2001,
Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ 2002 (three times)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval £18.00
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
ISBN 0-7176-2076-X
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Website: www.hse.gov.uk 9 78071 7 620760

44 Printed and published by the Health and Safety Executive

C25 08/02