Asbestos Commercial Management Survey | Bury St Edmunds

Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Survey Type: Asbestos Management Survey (Compliance with CAR 2012)
Survey Date: 05/09/2025

Project Overview:

A directive was received to conduct a thorough asbestos management survey across a series of agricultural buildings and barns at a working farm in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The primary purpose of this survey was to identify and assess any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present on the site. This is a critical step for the landowner to fulfil their legal duty to manage asbestos, ensuring the safety of all employees, contractors, and visitors from potential fibre release during routine farm operations.

Survey Methodology:

Our experienced surveyor carried out a comprehensive visual inspection of all designated farm structures, including barns, livestock sheds, workshops, and storage units. The survey was planned to minimise disruption to the sites daily activities. The inspection involved assessing all accessible structural and finishing elements where asbestos might be present. Materials suspected of containing asbestos were documented, their current condition was evaluated, and representative bulk samples were carefully collected for definitive testing at a UKAS-accredited laboratory.

Key Findings:

The laboratory analysis confirmed the widespread use of asbestos cement products, a common material for agricultural buildings constructed in the mid to late 20th century. The key findings include:

• Asbestos Cement Roof Sheeting: The pitched roofs on the two largest barns were constructed entirely from corrugated asbestos cement sheets.
• Asbestos Cement Wall Cladding: Sections of vertical cladding on one of the older storage buildings were also identified as asbestos cement.
• Asbestos Cement Rainwater Goods: Several original gutters and downpipes on the main barn were found to be made from asbestos cement.
• AIB Soffit Strip: A small strip of Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) was identified forming a soffit above a doorway to an integrated workshop area.

The full Asbestos Register, detailing the precise location, extent, material assessment, and priority assessment for each ACM, can be found in the main survey report.

Conclusion & Recommendations:

To ensure ongoing safety and compliance, the following actions are essential:

1. Develop a Site-Specific Management Plan: The Asbestos Register must be used to create and maintain a formal Asbestos Management Plan. This plan should be accessible to all relevant personnel.
2. Monitor Material Condition: The asbestos cement roofing and cladding are currently in a stable condition. However, they must be visually re-inspected annually for any signs of damage, degradation, or cracking, particularly after severe weather.
3. Prevent Accidental Damage: Given the nature of a working farm, a key risk is accidental damage from farm machinery. Procedures should be put in place to minimise the risk of impact to the asbestos cement cladding.
4. Inform and Train: All staff and external contractors who may work on the buildings must be made aware of the locations of the ACMs before they commence any work.
5. Engage Specialists for Future Work: No maintenance, repair, or removal work on any identified ACMs should be undertaken without consulting a competent asbestos professional. Any work on the AIB soffit will require a licensed contractor.

By diligently following these recommendations, the duty holder can effectively manage asbestos risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide a safe working environment.