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Asbestos: The Analysts' Guide

Title:  Asbestos

Subtitle: The Analysts’ Guide

Date of publication: May 2021

Series code: HSG248 (2nd Edition)

ISBN: 9780616667079

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This guidance is for analysts involved in asbestos work. It is the authoritative source of asbestos analytical procedures within Great Britain.

The guidance has been updated to take account of findings from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) interventions and developments in analytical procedures and methodology. It provides clarification on technical and personal safety issues, especially in relation to sampling and 4-stage clearances. New information on sampling soils for asbestos is included.

The guidance is designed to assist analysts in complying with their legal obligations. The publication should also be useful to asbestos consultants, occupational hygienists, safety professionals, asbestos removal contractors, building owners and facilities managers.

This July 2021 amended version includes corrections to:

  • Tables A2.6, A4.2, A4.3 and A6.4
  • Figures A2.7 and A2.8
  • Appendix 4: Annex 3
  • The sentence specifying the use of toluene and cyclohexane in sample treatment has been removed from para A2.21.
  • The explanation as to how polyethylene fibres can be distinguished from chrysotile by analysts using PLM has been changed at paragraph A2.61.

Please Note: Analysts should note that local printing of the HSE reference sample images on pages 128 and 129 from this web version is unlikely to produce sufficiently high-quality reproduction for reference purposes.

Asbestos testing laboratories will find information on the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation transition process at https://www.ukas.com/accreditation/standards/laboratory-accreditation/asbestos/[5].

Link URLs in this page

  1. Publicationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/PuBns/index.htm
  2. HSE Bookshttps://books.hse.gov.uk/
  3. Download a free copy - HSG248https://www.hse.gov.uk/PuBns/priced/hsg248.pdf
  4. Buy this product - HSG248https://books.hse.gov.uk/bookstore.asp?FO=1356943&ACTION=BOOK&PRODUCTID=9780717667079
  5. https://www.ukas.com/accreditation/standards/laboratory-accreditation/asbestos/https://www.ukas.com/accreditation/standards/laboratory-accreditation/asbestos/
  6. Asbestos: The licensed contractor’s guide HSG247https://www.hse.gov.uk/PuBns/books/hsg247.htm
  7. Asbestos essentials HSG210https://www.hse.gov.uk/PuBns/books/hsg210.htm
  8. Asbestos: The survey guide HSG264https://www.hse.gov.uk/PuBns/books/hsg264.htm
  9. Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: Approved Code of Practice L143https://www.hse.gov.uk/PuBns/books/l143.htm
  10. Asbestos - health and safetyhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm
  11. HSE Books +44 (0)333 202 5070https://books.hse.gov.uk/
  12. Translated leafletshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/languages/index.htm
  13. Legislationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/index.htm
  14. Statisticshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm
  15. Science and Researchhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/research/index.htm
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Updated: 2021-08-06