What Types of Asbestos Surveys Are Required in Ireland?

29 Oct 2025

When it comes to workplace health and safety, few hazards are as serious as asbestos. Despite being banned for more than 20 years, the material is still present in many older buildings. It makes asbestos surveys vital to occupational safety, helping organisations comply with safety regulations and protect long-term occupational health.

For employers, landlords, and contractors, surveys form a key part of workplace risk assessments, hazard identification, and wider workplace risk management. As such, two types of surveys are recognised in Ireland today.

Type #1 – Management Asbestos Survey (MAS)

This survey is carried out while a building is in normal use. Its purpose is to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed during daily activity, routine maintenance, or minor upgrades.

Key features include:

• Only minor intrusion and limited disturbance of materials

• A materials assessment to judge the likelihood of fibre release

• Results that guide remedial work through work risk assessments and priority ratings

Because it supports day-to-day workplace safety, the MAS forms an essential part of wider health and safety in work systems.

Type #2 – Refurbishment/Demolition Asbestos Survey (RDAS)

An RDAS must be carried out before any building, or part of it, is upgraded, refurbished, or demolished. It is more intrusive than a management survey and is designed to locate all ACMs in the relevant area before work begins.

Unlike a MAS, it does not record condition. Its purpose is to ensure that asbestos abatement, asbestos removal, and safe asbestos disposal can be properly planned. Without it, disturbance could breach safety in the work place laws and expose workers to serious risk.

Ensuring Surveys Are Carried Out Correctly

Any asbestos surveys must be conducted by independent asbestos surveyors. The right qualifications matter (such as the BOHS P402 or the RSPH Certificate), as does a working knowledge of Irish law, especially the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. 

Also, it’s important to say that surveyors should never carry out asbestos removal and disposal. Surveying organisations are expected to maintain robust quality systems, following best practice standards such as HSE (UK) HSG 264. 

Protecting Ireland from the Dangers of Asbestos

Your takeaway here is that employing licensed asbestos companies represents the only safe option for asbestos removal in Ireland. By working with our expert workplace safety consultants, organisations can manage risks effectively and stay compliant with all asbestos regulations.

At OHSS, our team of health and safety consultants in Ireland specialise in expert hazard identification and reliable workplace risk management. To find out more about our asbestos surveys, asbestos removal, and wider occupational hygiene services, visit www.ohss.ie or call 01 6905907 today.

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