Belgian law has demanded asbestos inventories since 01 January 1995. The inventory should identify the types of asbestos present within the building and the forms, quantities and condition in which they exist. In the case where this inventory has not yet been established Envirotec can execute these works.

The inventory is an initial systematic visual inspection, which should identify the presence of asbestos containing materials within particular premises.

This inspection, however, is only the first step in the process of asbestos management, as it will only indicate the presence of asbestos products if the possibility exists to access these materials. (Where renovation works are foreseen further detailed studies must be undertaken)

The purpose of the inventory is to identify the following points:

• The location of the Asbestos;
• The form of the Asbestos;
• The quantities of the various forms of the Asbestos;
• The condition of the asbestos;
• The type of asbestos minerals

A licensed laboratory will be employed for the analytical identification of any samples taken.

The degradation of the asbestos, and thereby the exposure risk, can be identified by analysis of the concentration of asbestos fibres in the ambient air.

Once the inspections are complete, the results are analysed to assess the risk posed by the presence of asbestos containing materials and the need for intervention.

Each inventory is undertaken in compliance with the guideline set out by the General Regulations for the Protection of Workers (R.G.P.T Art. 148 decies 2.5.2. & l’Arrêté Royal (A.R.) du 16 mars 2006 (M.B. 23/3/2006))

Once the asbestos inventory has been established, an Asbestos management program must be implemented. This ensures that the asbestos containing materials are controlled and that any possible exposure to asbestos fibres is kept to as low a level as possible.

This management plan takes into account the location, types, forms and nature of asbestos present in the building and the nature of activities of the personnel within the premises.

The management program will include the following points:

• Regular visual inspections of the state of degradation of the asbestos;
• Identification of the activities that could lead to the liberation of asbestos fibres;
• Instruction and recommendations for avoiding any potential risk of exposure from asbestos fibres to occupants, maintenance staff, technical staff and others occupied in the building;
• The planning for the asbestos decontamination works to be undertaken in the future