Dear members, a health and safety colleague in another part of our organisation (supported by an asbestos consultancy) has expressed concern because we are not using a consultancy to undertake the annual condition review of ACM’s identified in our asbestos registers. I do not share this concern, as I do not believe there is either an explicit or implicit requirement in either the ACOP for Regulation 4 (Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006) or HSG 264 (Asbestos: The Survey Guide) to outsource condition survey’s. All my buildings are initially surveyed by independent UKAS accredited asbestos companies. I then use one of my in-house competent employees to undertake an annual condition inspection of all identified ACM’s. This review is documented to outline that the review has been completed and where the condition of the ACM necessitates, photographs and additional information are included. Remedial work is then undertaken. This annual review is co-located with the original survey, but we are moving towards a consolidated 'live' database in the new year. The (in-house) employee undertaking the annual condition survey has previously worked for 6 years in the asbestos industry undertaking both survey’s and condition surveys and holds the P401, P402, P405 and the NEBOSH Certificate. This person is overseen by a Senior Health and Safety Manager who has also undertaken the P405. We are also looking at ABICS personal certification, but I'm not sure of the value for an in-house employee. I would welcome any comments or clarification if our strategy for annual condition surveys is deemed to fall short of either the ACOP or industry best practice based on your experience. Thanks in advance. Dave

It seems to me that your in-house employee is more than enough competent to carry out this task. Ask to see the CV of whoever the consultancy wants to send, and charge a shed full for the privilege of doing so.

The experience and qualifications of the person undertaking your condition monitor are far in excess of that required and no way is a specialist consultant required. Little in the way of training and specialist knowledge is actually requred to determine a change of condition, and knowledge of the building is usually more relevant. More important is to know the in-house process for remedial action and when to apply it. I would not consider any of the BOHS quals necessary at all. You say your on a 12 month regime, presumably then all your residual risks are low/ very low.

Hi, Perhaps the ABICS scheme is not the way forward then. Your feedback is appreciated. Regards Dave