Understand and manage asbestos during normal occupation
A proportionate asbestos management survey for workplaces, communal areas and managed property in Jersey.
Arrange a management survey
What is an asbestos management survey?
A management survey is the standard survey. Its purpose is to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of any suspect asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the building which could be damaged or disturbed during normal occupancy, including foreseeable maintenance and installation, and to assess their condition.
The survey information supports an asbestos register and management plan so that people who occupy, maintain or work on the premises can be given suitable information.
When is it appropriate?
A management survey is normally used for premises during everyday occupation and foreseeable routine maintenance. If refurbishment, demolition or other intrusive work is planned, a more targeted refurbishment or demolition survey may be required.
What the survey can involve
Management surveys will often involve minor intrusive work and some disturbance. The extent of intrusion will vary between premises and depend on what is reasonably practicable for individual properties; it will depend on factors such as the type of building, the nature of construction and accessibility.
A management survey should include an assessment of the condition of the various ACMs and their ability to release fibres into the air if they are disturbed. This material assessment gives a useful initial guide to the priority for managing ACMs, as it identifies the materials which will most readily release airborne fibres if disturbed.
The survey will usually involve sampling and analysis to confirm the presence or absence of ACMs. However, a management survey can also involve presuming the presence or absence of asbestos. A survey may use a combination of sampling and presumption, or presumption alone. Any materials presumed to contain asbestos must also have their condition assessed.
Sampling and presuming asbestos
Management surveys can involve a combination of sampling to confirm asbestos is present or presuming asbestos to be present.
By presuming the presence of asbestos, the need for sampling and analysis can be deferred until a later time, for example before work is carried out. However, this approach has implications for the management arrangements.
The dutyholder bears potential additional costs of managing some materials which may later prove not to contain asbestos. Any work on presumed materials should be planned using appropriate contractors and work methods in accordance with Jersey’s asbestos framework and, where applicable, the Asbestos-Licensing (Jersey) Regulations 2008.
Alternatively, before work starts, sampling and analysis can be undertaken to confirm or refute the presence of asbestos. The results will determine the work methods and contractors to be used. The presumption approach has several disadvantages: it is less rigorous, can cause repeated obstructions and delays before work starts, and is more difficult to control.
Frequently asked questions
What will I receive?
The report records the survey scope, accessible areas, identified or presumed ACMs, their condition and the information needed to help prioritise management actions.
Is this the right survey before refurbishment?
Not usually. Work that will disturb the building fabric generally requires a refurbishment or demolition survey matched to the exact scope of work.
Jersey legal framework
Asbestos duties in Jersey sit within the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 and the asbestos-specific Management of Exposure to Asbestos in Workplace Buildings and Structures: ACoP 8 (revised 2020). The Management of Health and Safety at Work: ACoP 14 provides wider risk-management guidance and operates alongside ACoP 8; it does not replace the asbestos-specific code. The Asbestos-Licensing (Jersey) Regulations 2008 apply to work with specified higher-risk asbestos materials.
This page provides general information. The appropriate scope and controls depend on the premises, material, condition and proposed work.
Need clear, practical asbestos advice?
Tell us about the property, the proposed work and the decision you need to make. We will recommend a proportionate next step.
Contact Jersey Asbestos