UKAS inspection bodies surveying contaminated land for asbestos

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is establishing a pilot programme for the development of accreditation for ‘ISO 17020:2012 for the surveying of contaminated land for the presence of asbestos’. Essentially, asbestos surveyors (conversant with building surveys relating to management, refurbishment or demolition) could be undertaking the work of a contaminated land professional - without the relevant training, experience, competency or accreditation for investigating potentially contaminated land.

UKAS has held discussions with a number of parties regarding accreditation including representatives of the AGS, the National Brownfield Forum and SAGTA. These parties have raised considerable concerns principally because the proposals fail to understand the contaminated land investigation process.

UKAS has failed to address these concerns and the AGS Contaminated Land Working Group now feel we need to take this issue to our members and we are asking for your feedback by answering the poll below.

If you wish to provide further comments please do so.

The results of this poll will be shared with UKAS.

Question Title

* 1. Do you consider that accreditation for ISO 17020:2012 for the surveying of contaminated land for the presence of asbestos in soil is required?

Yes

Please provide a reason for your answer

Question Title

* 2. Do you consider there is a risk that an asbestos surveyor (if accredited as proposed under ISO 17020:2012) may find themselves in a position of leading/co-ordinating/supervising a contaminated land intrusive investigation as a whole?

Yes

If yes what do think the principal risks could be to the outcome of the intrusive investigation as a whole?

Question Title

* 3. If accreditation were to be established, who would you choose to supervise a contaminated land intrusive investigation where Made Ground is suspected?

An asbestos surveyor accredited under ISO 17020:2012

A contaminated land professional who meets the National Planning Policy Framework definition of a competent person and can demonstrate competency under Land contamination risk management (LCRM)

Both

Please provide a reason for your answer

Question Title

* 4. Do you consider there to be one or more stages in the investigation process at which the use of an asbestos surveyor accredited under ISO 17020:2012 would be best applied. Choose all that you think apply.

Tender stage

Desk study

Site reconnaissance

Intrusive investigation

Post ground investigation recommendation where further investigation for asbestos is required

Please provide a reason for your answer

Question Title

* 5. If UKAS implement accreditation for ‘ISO 17020:2012 for the surveying of contaminated land for the presence of asbestos’ do you consider this will benefit contaminated land site investigations?

Yes

Please provide a reason for your answer