• General Asbestos Questions

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was widely used in buildings and construction products throughout the UK up until its full ban in 1999. It was popular because it is strong, heat-resistant, and a good insulator. However, when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, tiny fibres are released into the air. If these fibres are breathed in, they can cause serious and potentially fatal diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Asbestos fibres are microscopic - so small you cannot see them with the naked eye. When inhaled, they become lodged in the lungs and cannot be broken down by the body. Over many years, this can lead to serious illnesses including mesothelioma (a cancer of the lung lining), asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), and pleural thickening. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and diseases can take 20–60 years to develop after first exposure. Asbestos is currently the UK's single biggest cause of work-related deaths.

Yes. Asbestos was only fully banned in the UK in November 1999. That means any building constructed or refurbished before the year 2000 could contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). It is estimated that asbestos is present in around half a million non-domestic buildings in the UK, including offices, schools, hospitals, and factories. It may also be found in some residential properties, particularly those built between the 1950s and 1980s.

Asbestos was used in hundreds of construction products. Common locations in older buildings include:

  • Ceiling tiles and floor tiles
  • Pipe lagging and boiler insulation
  • Roof felt and corrugated roofing sheets
  • Textured wall and ceiling coatings (such as Artex)
  • Insulation boards (used around boilers, doors, and fire protection)
  • Gaskets and rope seals in older heating systems
  • Soffit boards and external wall cladding
  • Cement products including guttering and downpipes

There are six regulated types of asbestos: Chrysotile (white asbestos), Amosite (brown asbestos), Crocidolite (blue asbestos), Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite. Chrysotile belongs to the Serpentine family and historically accounted for more than 95% of all asbestos used worldwide. The other five belong to the Amphibole family and have needle-shaped fibres. Studies suggest that much less exposure to Amphibole asbestos is needed to cause cancer, compared to Serpentine asbestos. All six types are hazardous and all are banned in the UK.

Not necessarily. If asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are in good condition and are unlikely to be disturbed, it is often safer to manage them in place rather than remove them. Removal itself can release fibres if not done correctly. The key is to monitor the condition of ACMs regularly and remove them only when they are damaged, deteriorating, or when refurbishment or demolition work is planned. A qualified asbestos consultant can advise you on the best approach for your specific situation.

An Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is any product or material that contains asbestos fibres. Under UK regulations, a material is classified as an ACM if it contains more than 1% asbestos by weight. ACMs can range from highly dangerous friable (crumbly) materials that easily release fibres, to more stable materials like asbestos cement that pose less risk when undamaged.

  • Asbestos Surveys

An asbestos survey is a thorough inspection of a building carried out by a qualified surveyor to locate, identify, and assess the condition of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). The results are compiled into a survey report, which forms the basis of your Asbestos Register — a legal document required for all non-domestic premises built before the year 2000.

There are three main types of asbestos survey:

Asbestos Management Surveys

A management survey is the standard survey required on any building constructed before 2000. Its purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspected ACMs in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy (including foreseeable maintenance), and to assess their condition.

Re-inspection Surveys

Over time, ACMs can degenerate or be accidentally damaged, causing the level of risk to change substantially. The law requires that their condition be inspected regularly and records updated accordingly. Our surveyors can re-inspect premises and provide these updates to ensure compliance information is maintained. This also gives you the advantage of cost certainty, protecting your investment in the initial survey.

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

These surveys locate and describe ACMs in areas where intrusive maintenance and repair, refurbishment or demolition work is set to take place. The fully intrusive survey requires access to all areas, including those that may be difficult to reach. Asbestos refurbishment surveys should generally only be completed in unoccupied areas to minimise risks to personnel.

As a general rule: if your building is simply in normal use with no planned major works, you need a Management Survey. If you are planning any building works - such as fitting a new kitchen, installing partitions, or doing a full refurbishment - you need a Refurbishment Survey. If you are planning to demolish a building or a part of one, you need a Demolition Survey. If you already have an asbestos survey and just need to update it, you need a Re-inspection Survey. Scopus can advise you on the most appropriate survey type for your circumstances - just get in touch.

Yes. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) places a legal duty on anyone who manages or has responsibility for non-domestic premises built before 2000 to manage the risk from asbestos. This is known as the "Duty to Manage" (Regulation 4). The most common way to fulfil this duty is to commission an Asbestos Management Survey. Failure to comply can result in prosecution, fines, and most importantly - serious harm to people's health.

The Duty to Manage under Regulation 4 of CAR 2012 specifically applies to non-domestic premises (e.g., commercial buildings, schools, offices, factories, hospitals). However, landlords with residential properties do still have obligations - particularly for common areas of multi-occupancy buildings such as hallways, boiler rooms, and communal spaces. If you are a homeowner planning renovation work on a pre-2000 property, you are strongly advised to have the area surveyed before any work begins.

The time it takes depends on the size and complexity of the building. A small commercial unit may take just a couple of hours, while a large school, factory, or hospital could take several days. Scopus will advise you on the expected duration when providing a quotation. Because we have strategically located surveyors across the UK, we can respond quickly and efficiently.

All Scopus surveyors hold the BOHS P402 certificate (Surveying and Sampling for Asbestos) or the RSPH Level 3 Award in Asbestos Surveying. These are the industry-recognised qualifications required under HSG264 - the HSE's guide for asbestos surveying. Scopus is also UKAS accredited to ISO 17020:2012, which means our survey processes have been independently assessed and meet the highest quality standards.

An Asbestos Register is a live document that records all known or presumed asbestos-containing materials in a building - including their location, type, condition, and risk assessment. All duty holders (building owners and managers) of non-domestic premises built before 2000 are legally required to have and maintain an Asbestos Register. Contractors and maintenance workers must be made aware of its contents before carrying out any work that could disturb materials. Scopus provides access to your register 24/7 through our secure Client Portal.

A Material Risk Assessment looks at the ACM itself — how likely is it to release fibres if disturbed? This is rated from very low to high based on the type of asbestos, whether it is friable (crumbly), its extent, and its current condition. A Priority Risk Assessment goes a step further and considers additional factors such as the type of maintenance activities in that area, how many people use the space, and how likely the material is to be disturbed. Together, these two assessments help decide which ACMs need priority attention.

Scopus provides all clients with secure access to their survey reports and Asbestos Register through our Client Portal, which can be accessed online from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This makes it easy for you and your contractors to check asbestos records before carrying out any work on your premises.

  • Asbestos Bulk Sampling & Lab Testing

Asbestos bulk sampling involves taking a small sample of a material that is suspected to contain asbestos and sending it to an accredited laboratory for analysis. This confirms whether asbestos is present, what type it is, and at what percentage. Bulk sampling is often used where a building survey has found a material that is suspected to be an ACM but cannot be identified visually with certainty.

At Scopus, we have our own in-house UKAS accredited laboratory (ISO 17025), which means we control quality from start to finish. The process works like this: the sample is first examined under a stereo microscope. Sub-samples are then prepared - either mechanically or chemically - and individual fibres are identified by their detailed optical properties using polarised light microscopy (PLM). Each fibre type is positively confirmed as one of the six regulated asbestos types. This is the gold standard for bulk sample analysis in the UK.

Standard turnaround times depend on the urgency of your project. Because Scopus operates its own UKAS accredited laboratory, we have direct control over turnaround times. We can offer fast-track and same-day analysis for urgent situations - please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

In theory, a sample can be collected by someone other than a trained surveyor, but this is not recommended. Collecting a sample incorrectly can cause more fibres to be released into the air, creating a health risk. It can also result in a sample that is not representative, which could lead to inaccurate results. For the most reliable and safe outcome, samples should always be collected by a trained operative.

UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) is the national accreditation body recognised by the UK Government. UKAS accreditation to ISO 17025 means that a laboratory has been independently assessed and confirmed to operate to a strict quality management standard. For you, this means the results you receive are reliable, accurate, and legally defensible. Scopus holds UKAS accreditation for both its surveying operations (ISO 17020) and its laboratory (ISO 17025).

  • Duty Holders & Legal Compliance

A Duty Holder is anyone who has responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises. This can include building owners, landlords, employers, and managing agents. If you manage, own, or have control over a non-domestic property built before 2000, you are very likely to be a Duty Holder and have legal obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Regulation 4 is commonly known as the "Duty to Manage" asbestos. It places a legal requirement on Duty Holders to find out whether their building contains asbestos, assess the condition and risk of any ACMs found, create and maintain an Asbestos Register, develop an Asbestos Management Plan, and share this information with anyone who might disturb the ACMs (for example, contractors carrying out maintenance or repair work).

Step 1 is to find the asbestos - commission an Asbestos Management Survey from a UKAS accredited company like Scopus.

Step 2 is to compile an Asbestos Register based on the survey findings.

Step 3 is to assess the risk from any ACMs found.

Step 4 is to produce an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) that sets out how you will manage those risks on an ongoing basis.

Step 5 is to communicate this information to anyone who works on or in your building. Scopus can guide and support you through every one of these steps.

An Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) is a live document that explains how you are going to manage the asbestos in your building on an ongoing basis. It is a legal requirement for Duty Holders. A good AMP should include:

  • Strategy for compliance
  • Details of your Asbestos Register(s)
  • Named personnel and their responsibilities
  • Re-inspection and monitoring arrangements
  • Training arrangements for staff
  • Implementation of asbestos procedures
  • Communication arrangements with contractors and visitors
  • Procedures for monitoring and reviewing the AMP itself
  • Emergency procedures in the event of an accidental disturbance

Scopus can write a bespoke AMP for you - and will include an Asbestos Policy at no extra charge.

An Asbestos Policy is a short, clearly written document that sets out your organisation's overall commitment to managing asbestos safely. It works alongside your Asbestos Management Plan and shows that your organisation takes its legal obligations seriously. It should clearly state your objectives for asbestos management and who is responsible for making it happen.

Regulation 5 places a duty on employers to identify the presence of asbestos before undertaking any demolition, maintenance, or other work that could disturb it. Essentially, if you are planning any work on a building, you must first establish whether asbestos is present in the area where the work will take place. If there is any doubt, you must assume asbestos is present and take the necessary precautions. This regulation is why a Refurbishment or Demolition Survey is needed before any major building work begins.

An External Systems Audit (or Asbestos Compliance Review) is an independent check of your asbestos management systems, carried out by a specialist like Scopus. The auditor will review your policies, procedures, permits to work, contractor control measures, survey records and registers, management plans, and training records - comparing them against current regulations, approved codes of practice, and HSE guidance. You will receive a detailed written report with clear recommendations and actions.

  • Asbestos Removal​

The person who can remove asbestos depends on the type of asbestos work involved. There are three categories: Non-Licensed work (Category B trained operatives can carry out small-scale work on certain lower-risk ACMs, such as removing small amounts of asbestos cement), Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW - requires notification to the HSE before work starts), and Licensed Asbestos Removal (LAR - only a company holding an HSE Asbestos Licence can carry out this work, which involves the most dangerous ACMs such as pipe lagging and sprayed coatings). The licensed category requires 14 days' notice to the enforcing authority before work begins.

An Asbestos Licence is an official licence issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that allows a company to carry out the most hazardous types of asbestos removal work. Without a licence, a company cannot legally remove higher-risk ACMs such as sprayed asbestos coatings, pipe lagging, or asbestos insulating boards. Licensed contractors are required to carry out health surveillance of their employees and keep comprehensive health records for a minimum of 40 years. Always check that your removal contractor holds a valid HSE licence before work begins.

Category B Non-Licensed Work: Small-scale work on certain lower-risk ACMs. Usually does not require notification to the HSE, depending on project details.

Category B Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW): Notification to the HSE is required before work starts. Operatives must have Category B training.

Category C Licensed Asbestos Work: The most hazardous work, requiring a full HSE licence. Notification must be given at least 14 days before work commences.

Asbestos waste is classified as hazardous waste and must be handled with great care. It must be double-bagged or wrapped in 1000-gauge polythene and clearly labelled as asbestos. It can only be transported by registered asbestos waste carriers and taken to a limited number of licensed landfill sites that are permitted to accept asbestos waste. The removal contractor must provide consignment notes during transport and on completion of disposal. All staff involved must be suitably trained and competent.

Asbestos removal is a specialist activity with significant health and legal implications if done incorrectly. Scopus provides full project management of asbestos removal works, independently auditing and overseeing the removal contractor from start to finish. Our services include producing the works specification, obtaining and evaluating contractor quotes, reviewing risk assessments and method statements, witnessing smoke tests, conducting background and personal air monitoring during works, and performing the four-stage clearance procedure to confirm the area is safe for reoccupation. You receive a full consolidated report at the end of every project.

If asbestos removal is not carried out to the required standard, residual asbestos fibres or debris can remain in the area, creating a serious ongoing health risk. The area may not receive a Certificate of Reoccupation, meaning it cannot legally be returned to use. You could face significant additional costs for decontamination and re-clearance, as well as potential legal liability. This is why having an independent project manager such as Scopus - overseeing every stage of the removal is so important.

  • Air Testing & Four-Stage Clearance

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, anyone who is liable to disturb asbestos - or who supervises those who do - must receive adequate information, instruction, and training. This covers a wide range of workers including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, builders, demolition workers, facilities managers, and surveyors. Even people who do not work directly on asbestos but work in buildings where it might be present - such as cleaners, teachers, or office workers - may benefit from asbestos awareness training.

Personal Air Testing: Worn by workers to measure their personal exposure to asbestos fibres. Required under CAR 2012 to check that control measures are effective and that respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is adequate.

Background Air Testing: Carried out before work begins to establish the baseline fibre level in an area before any asbestos-related activity takes place.

Leak Air Testing: Measures airborne fibre levels outside a sealed asbestos removal enclosure during active removal work to confirm the enclosure is not leaking and that nearby areas remain safe.

Reassurance Air Testing: Carried out after a disturbance, incident, or remediation work to confirm that residual asbestos fibre concentrations are below 0.01 fibres per cubic centimetre (f/cm³) — the benchmark for safe reoccupation.

A Four-Stage Clearance is the process used to confirm that asbestos removal work has been completed safely and to a satisfactory standard, and that an area is safe for people to return to. It must be carried out by an independent UKAS accredited analyst — not the removal contractor. The four stages are:

  • Stage 1: Preliminary check of the site condition — confirming the enclosure is intact and the removal contractor is ready for the clearance to begin.
  • Stage 2: Thorough visual inspection inside the enclosure — checking every surface has been properly cleaned and no visible asbestos debris remains.
  • Stage 3: Air monitoring — collecting air samples inside the cleared enclosure and analysing them to confirm fibre levels are below the reoccupation benchmark.
  • Stage 4: Final assessment post-enclosure dismantling — a final check once the enclosure has been taken down to ensure the surrounding area is also clean and safe.

Only when all four stages are completed to a satisfactory standard will a Certificate of Reoccupation be issued, allowing the area to be returned to normal use.

No. The analyst conducting the four-stage clearance must be completely independent of the removal contractor. This independence is a legal requirement under HSG248 (The Analyst's Guide) and is in place to ensure objectivity and protect public safety. Scopus only provides analytical services independently - we never have a commercial interest in the removal work itself.

The benchmark for safe reoccupation is 0.01 fibres per cubic centimetre (f/cm³) of air. If air samples taken during Stage 3 of the four-stage clearance show levels at or below this figure, and the visual inspection is also satisfactory, the analyst can issue a Certificate of Reoccupation. If levels are above this, further cleaning and re-testing is required.

  • Asbestos Training​

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, anyone who is liable to disturb asbestos - or who supervises those who do - must receive adequate information, instruction, and training. This covers a wide range of workers including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, builders, demolition workers, facilities managers, and surveyors. Even people who do not work directly on asbestos but work in buildings where it might be present - such as cleaners, teachers, or office workers - may benefit from asbestos awareness training.

Category A - Asbestos Awareness Training: For people who do not work directly on ACMs but need to understand how to identify asbestos-containing materials and appreciate the risks. For example, maintenance workers and cleaning staff.

Category B - Non-Licensable Asbestos Work Training: For operatives who carry out small-scale work on asbestos-containing materials that falls outside the requirements for an HSE licence.

Category C - Licensable Asbestos Work Training: For employees of HSE licensed removal companies who carry out the most hazardous types of asbestos removal work.

Management Level Training: Industry-recognised training for those who manage asbestos compliance, including BOHS P402 (Surveying and Sampling for Asbestos) and BOHS P405 (Management of Asbestos in Buildings).

The HSE recommends that asbestos awareness training is refreshed annually. For non-licensed and licensed removal work, training must be up to date before operatives are permitted to carry out asbestos work. Scopus offers a full range of asbestos training courses and can advise on the most appropriate training frequency and content for your workforce.

Yes. As well as standard Category A, B, and C training courses, Scopus and its partners can deliver bespoke management-level training courses tailored to your organisation's specific circumstances, sector, and portfolio. We can also deliver BOHS P-series courses including P402 and P405. Please contact us to discuss your training requirements.

  • Asbestos in Soils

Yes. Asbestos can be found in soil, particularly on brownfield sites (previously developed land), old industrial sites, and areas near buildings where asbestos-containing materials have been demolished or dumped. Asbestos in soil is sometimes referred to as "asbestos contamination" and can pose serious risks to construction workers, groundworkers, and the public if disturbed. Scopus provides specialist soil sampling and testing services to detect and assess asbestos in ground materials.

An asbestos in soils survey is typically required before development work on brownfield or potentially contaminated land, before groundwork or excavation on a site with a history of demolition or industrial use, as part of a Phase 2 Environmental Investigation, and when asbestos contamination has been identified during initial ground investigation works. If you are unsure whether your site poses a risk, contact Scopus for an initial assessment.

Soil sampling for asbestos involves collecting representative samples from across the site — often from trial pits, boreholes, or surface sampling. These samples are then analysed in an accredited laboratory to detect asbestos fibres and fragments. The results inform a risk assessment, which determines whether the land is safe and whether remediation is required before development can proceed.

  • Asbestos Consultancy​

Scopus offers a comprehensive range of asbestos consultancy services, including writing Asbestos Management Plans and Asbestos Policies, preparing remedial specifications and managing tender exercises for removal projects, carrying out site-specific risk assessments and method statements, conducting external systems audits and compliance reviews, acting as expert witnesses in legal proceedings, and providing emergency response and incident investigation support.

A Remedial Specification is a detailed technical document prepared by an asbestos consultant that sets out exactly how each ACM should be managed or removed in the context of your specific building or project. It considers the location of ACMs, the best removal or encapsulation methodology, and how the work fits with any wider refurbishment or development plans. Using a specification ensures that when you invite contractors to tender, they are all pricing for exactly the same scope of work — making cost comparison fair and transparent.

Yes. Scopus can manage the entire tender process on your behalf, from preparing the specification and sending it out to approved contractors, to managing site visits, handling contractor enquiries, assessing tenders, producing a tender report with recommendations, and managing the appointment process. This ensures you select the right contractor at the right price and that the procurement process meets your organisation's policies.

Yes. Scopus has highly trained consultants who are experienced in providing expert witness services in UK court proceedings involving asbestos. Our experts are fully trained and competent in the strict guidelines governing the expert witness role in the UK legal system. Services include reviewing evidence and witness statements, assessing negligence and breaches of regulations, undertaking site inspections, and preparing expert witness reports. Our advice is always independent and impartial.

If asbestos is accidentally disturbed, it is important to act quickly. The area should be evacuated and secured immediately to prevent further exposure. Nobody should re-enter until the area has been assessed and, if necessary, decontaminated by competent persons. Scopus offers an emergency response service that includes rapid site attendance, segregation and incident control advice, reactive bulk and air sampling, exposure interviews, RIDDOR reporting assistance if required, and production of a formal investigation report.

RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. Certain work-related asbestos incidents - including dangerous occurrences and cases of occupational disease - are legally required to be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR. Scopus can assist with assessing whether a RIDDOR report is required and with compiling and submitting the necessary information.

  • Working with Scopus

Scopus operates nationwide across the UK and Ireland, with strategically located regional offices and operatives. Our offices are in West Yorkshire (head office), the Midlands, Wales (Cardiff), North-West England (Bootle), and the North-East. This allows us to respond quickly to clients across the country.

Getting a quote is simple. You can complete the online quotation request form on our website, call us on 0333 404 4488, or contact your nearest regional office directly. We will ask you for some basic information about your property, the type of survey or service you require, and any particular circumstances we should be aware of. We aim to respond to all quote requests promptly.

Yes. Scopus holds UKAS accreditation to ISO 17020:2012 for our inspection activities (asbestos surveying) and ISO 17025 for our in-house laboratory. UKAS accreditation is the highest form of independent quality assurance available in the UK and confirms that our processes, people, and results meet rigorous national and international standards.

Absolutely. Scopus has significant experience working with clients who manage large and complex property portfolios — including local authorities, housing associations, facility management companies, and multi-site businesses. We can develop strategic, long-term asbestos management programmes that cover acquisitions, refurbishments, demolition projects, and ongoing compliance. We can also produce a standardised process and procedure document for sensitive or extensive programmes to ensure all our staff deliver consistently to your specific requirements

Yes. Scopus provides all clients with secure, 24/7 access to their asbestos survey reports, Asbestos Register, and related records through our Client Portal, accessible from any device with an internet connection. This makes it easy to share information with contractors and maintenance staff before work begins, wherever they are in the world.

Scopus understands that asbestos emergencies do not always happen during office hours. We offer out-of-hours access to dedicated project managers and can respond to emergency incidents quickly. If you have an urgent asbestos situation outside of normal business hours, please call 0333 404 4488.

Yes. Scopus is committed to reducing its environmental impact and has published a Carbon Reduction Plan, available to download from our website. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously alongside our health and safety obligations.