Asbestos Surveys in Ireland - What You Need to Know

30 May 2024

At OHSS, we've been safeguarding people from the dangers of asbestos with a range of services that include asbestos surveys. In this article, we take a closer look at what surveys like these are for, the types of asbestos that exist in buildings across Ireland and more. 

Although the deadly material was banned from use in construction over a quarter of a century ago, it still lurks in buildings built before it was outlawed. So, let's examine what you need to know in more detail. 

What Is an Asbestos Survey & Why Are They Needed?

When an asbestos survey is carried out, its purpose is to check for the presence of asbestos-containing materials, or ACMs, as they're otherwise known. This critical process is designed to protect occupants and workers and involves recommending the appropriate management or removal strategies. 

They're necessary because exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to serious health issues, such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 also mandate surveys like this. 

There are two types of asbestos surveys;  1) asbestos management surveys and 2) asbestos refurbishment and demolition surveys. The first is designed to identify ACMs that may become disturbed during normal occupancy, and the second is carried out before proposed work to assess the presence of ACMs within the building structure. 

There are a number of types of asbestos, such as:

• Chrysotile (White Asbestos) - used in cement, roofing and insulation.

• Amosite (Brown Asbestos) - found in insulating boards and cement sheets

• Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos) - this less common form is found in spray-on coatings, cement products and pipe insulation. 

• Tremolite - found in talc, older plumbing products and vermiculite insulation

• Actinolite - used in fireproofing, cement and insulating 

• Anthophyllite - used in roofing, talc and insulation

A Vital Practice in Protecting People Against the Dangers of Asbestos

Whenever there is a suspicion that asbestos exists within a building, asbestos surveys are necessary in order to determine the best course of action. It pays never to take a chance with something so deadly, and the OHSS team is here to help. So, if you would like to know more about what form that help would take, visit us today at www.ohss.ie. 

Alternatively, if you’d like to speak to our team about anything relating to the control or management of asbestos, call us today on 01 6905907.

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