Asbestos Surveys for Farmland and Agricultural Buildings
Much like various different domestic and commercial properties, agricultural land often includes older farming buildings which may make use of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), such as asbestos roofing, asbestos cement sheets, cladding and downpipes.
If your farm buildings were built before the complete banning of asbestos in 1999, there is a chance that you could have ACMs on-site which may need to be inspected to ensure the health and safety of all farmers, contractors, maintenance workers and more. Not only buildings, but agricultural equipment and machinery may also contain asbestos for parts, such as tractor brake linings and gaskets.
It is important that farmers are aware of their responsibilities and keep a close eye on their asbestos management, so to keep any farmworkers safe from the exposure of asbestos. Failure to do so could result in the unnecessary release of asbestos fibres, potentially leading to health issues, as well as hefty fines if your farm is deemed a commercial property.
At Pillars Environmental, we are expert asbestos consultants who have decades of experience working across various sectors. We undertake three types of asbestos surveys for farms across England, including: Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys (R&D), Asbestos Management Surveys (AMS) and Asbestos Re-Inspections.
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Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys For Farms
Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys, which are formally known as Type 3 asbestos surveys, are necessary when extensive building works are due to take place on your farmland, and any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are likely to be damaged or exposed in the process. Commonly referred to as an R&D survey, this could include either full or partial demolition and refurbishment works to your agricultural buildings.
In comparison with Asbestos Management Surveys, R&D surveys are a much more intrusive method of inspecting the ACMs within your farm premises. For R&D surveys, it is important that the suspected locations are clear whilst the survey is taking place as this will ensure the safety of all farm users. Our professional team of asbestos surveyors will sample any suspected ACMs within your agricultural buildings, inline with guidance set out by the HSG264 Asbestos: The Survey Guide. We will then package and send the potential ACMs on to a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited lab for asbestos testing. From here, it will then be clear whether your farmland materials are indeed asbestos-containing.
‘You must make everyone, working on the farm buildings, especially contractors, aware of the presence of asbestos and the possibility of the presence of previously unidentified ACMs.’
Asbestos Management Surveys For Farms
Asbestos Management Surveys for farmland utilise far less intrusive methods of investigations and sampling compared with an R&D survey. Formally regarded as a Type 2 asbestos survey, an AMS could be a better option for your farm buildings due to its more discreet methods of sampling – especially if no destructive works are due to be carried out.
The processing methods remain the same as an R&D survey, even though the method of sample extraction will vary as previously stated. Here at Pillars Environmental, we always work alongside the most reputable and reliable UKAS-accredited labs to both process and inspect the samples extracted from your agricultural land. Our expert asbestos contractors can then advise you on how to manage any ACMs through an Asbestos Management Plan or other asbestos removal management services should you decide to take action.
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Asbestos Re-Inspection Surveys For Farms
We also provide an asbestos re-inspection service for your farmland if the ACMs require regular checks. Should the ACMs remain in an agreeable condition, we may advise they remain in situ, but that they are examined periodically by an asbestos re-inspection service provider like us. In doing so, we can ensure the ACMs are in keeping with important health and safety legislation surrounding asbestos, and for your own peace of mind.
Asbestos re-inspections are often suggested as a course of action in an Asbestos Management Plan. The management plan will denote how to properly manage the ACMs within your agricultural land and may advise that asbestos re-inspection surveys are undertaken to ensure the condition of ACMs have not deteriorated since last inspected.
Asbestos Surveys For Farms FAQs
Where is asbestos commonly found on farms?
The Health and Safety Executive writes that common places for asbestos to be found on farmland include:
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- Compressed asbestos-cement roof sheets
- Cladding
- Building partitions
- Rainwater gutters
- Downpipes
How long will an asbestos survey take?
Depending on the areas where asbestos is suspected, the size and scale of the farming buildings and so on, it is difficult to give a straightforward answer. Whether it is one section, or the whole building, this can vary greatly depending on the size, condition and age of the wider building in question – as well as the type of survey required. Get in touch with us today for a free quote.
What is the cost of an asbestos survey?
The cost of an asbestos survey will also vary depending on the specific needs for your individual location(s), including: where the suspected ACMs are located, any specialist equipment needed and several other factors too. The best way to get an accurate price is to contact our friendly team today!
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Areas We Offer Asbestos Surveys
ASBESTOS
SURVEYS
We undertake Asbestos Management Surveys and Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys, both of which are HSG264-compliant…
ASBESTOS
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Our Asbestos Management Plans detail how you can manage asbestos in your property, in line with legislation…
ASBESTOS REMOVAL
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We can oversee Asbestos Removal projects to ensure a thorough, safe and compliant job is being undertaken…
