There are many companies that provide consultancy and surveying services, sometimes at what initially appears to be at low cost. However, before commissioning an organisation to undertake such work it is important to consider the risks:

• Are you confident that the organisation has the technical competence to undertake the work in question?
• Are you satisfied that the organisation has the resources to do the work?
• Are the surveyors working to suitable codes of conduct to ensure inspections are carried out impartially and with integrity?
• Are you confident that the organisation has an adequate quality system in place?
• Are you satisfied that safeguards are in place, e.g. suitable liability insurance, in case difficulties arise?

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAR 2006) and more specifically Regulation 4: Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic properties sets a legal requirement for owners and occupiers of non-domestic buildings to carry out a suitable assessment to determine whether asbestos is present or liable to be present.

UKAS Accreditation: Ensuring technical competence

The accreditation process determines the technical competence and integrity of organisations providing inspection, testing, calibration and certification services. UKAS is the sole national accreditation body, recognised by Government, to assess these types of organisations against international standards. It provides an independent and authoritative declaration that the organisation carrying out the survey has the people, facilities, technical expertise, management systems and track record to undertake the activity professionally and competently.

“HSE strongly recommends that an accredited surveyor is used to carry out complex type 1, 2 and 3 surveys”

View UKAS Brochure here