Introduction
If you’ve already had an asbestos management survey carried out at your property, you’ve taken a crucial first step toward legal compliance. But managing asbestos is an ongoing responsibility — one that includes arranging regular re-inspection surveys.
Whether it’s your first re-inspection or one of many, it’s helpful to understand what the process involves. This guide outlines what you can expect from an asbestos re-inspection survey and how to prepare your property.
What Is a Re-Inspection Survey?
A re-inspection survey is a focused assessment that revisits all previously identified asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a property. The goal is to check their condition, confirm whether they remain safe and undisturbed, and ensure that your asbestos register and management plan are still up to date.
It does not involve locating new asbestos — that’s the job of an initial management or refurbishment survey. Instead, it’s about monitoring the materials already known to be present.
Who Carries Out the Survey?
Re-inspection surveys should be conducted by a competent, UKAS-accredited asbestos surveyor or consultancy. At Crucial Environmental, our surveyors are fully qualified to carry out re-inspections in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and current HSE guidance.
What Happens During the Survey?
Here’s how a typical asbestos re-inspection survey is carried out:
1. Review of Existing Asbestos Records
Before the visit, your surveyor will review your previous asbestos management survey and current asbestos register. This helps them identify which areas and materials need to be re-inspected.
2. Site Visit and Visual Examination
The surveyor will visit your property and visually inspect each previously identified ACM. They’ll assess:
- The current physical condition of the material
- Any signs of damage, disturbance or deterioration
- Changes in the environment or building use that could affect risk
- Whether warning labels or signage are still intact
3. Risk Reassessment
If there is evidence that a material has deteriorated or been disturbed, the surveyor will reassess its risk level. This may affect your overall asbestos risk profile.
4. Photography and Notes
Updated photographs and written notes are often taken to compare the material’s current condition with its previously recorded state.
5. Recommendations
If an ACM is found to be in poor condition, the surveyor may recommend remedial action. This could include encapsulation, removal, or more frequent monitoring.
Will New Samples Be Taken?
In most cases, no additional sampling is required. The focus is on visual re-assessment of known materials. However, if there’s reason to suspect a change in material or if there’s been damage, additional sampling may be advised.
How Long Does It Take?
Most re-inspections are completed within a day, depending on:
- The size and complexity of the property
- The number of ACMs to re-assess
- Accessibility of the materials
Smaller properties with well-maintained asbestos records will usually require minimal disruption.
What Will You Receive After the Survey?
Once complete, you’ll receive:
- An updated asbestos register, detailing the current condition of all ACMs
- A revised asbestos management plan, if necessary
- Clear recommendations for any required remedial actions
- A copy of the re-inspection report for your records and compliance audits
These documents should be shared with anyone likely to disturb the materials — such as contractors, maintenance teams or building managers.
Why Choose Crucial Environmental?
Crucial Environmental provides professional, reliable asbestos re-inspection surveys across the UK. With offices in Sussex and Nottinghamshire, we support clients from all sectors — commercial, public, and residential — in meeting their legal obligations with ease.
Our surveyors are efficient, discreet and fully accredited, providing clear reporting that integrates seamlessly into your compliance process.
Need help managing your next asbestos re-inspection?
Contact our team to book a survey or request a quote.