Complete Asbestos Surveys were instructed to carry out an asbestos management survey at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield after the original asbestos survey for the boiler room building could not be located. As part of the museum's ongoing asbestos management programme, a new survey was required to ensure the building remained compliant and that any asbestos-containing materials were properly identified and managed. Although the museum remained open to visitors throughout the day, the survey focused on a separate boiler room building away from the main public areas. During the inspection, several asbestos-containing materials were identified, including damaged asbestos insulation debris requiring urgent attention.
Case Study Overview
- Provided
- Asbestos Management Survey
- Client
- National Coal Mining Museum
- Location
- Wakefield
- Year
- 2024
- Duration
- 3 Hours
- Cost
- £380
The Client's Challenge
The National Coal Mining Museum operates a large heritage site in Wakefield that welcomes thousands of visitors each year. As part of their ongoing asbestos management responsibilities, it was discovered that the original asbestos survey for one of the site's boiler room buildings could not be located.
The museum required a new asbestos management survey to ensure compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and to confirm the condition of any asbestos-containing materials within the building.
Whilst the museum remained operational, the boiler house itself was separate from visitor areas, allowing the survey to be completed safely without affecting public access or museum activities.
Our Approach
We carried out a detailed asbestos management survey across approximately 350m² of the boiler room building and associated plant areas. Four samples were taken from suspect materials identified during the inspection and submitted for laboratory analysis.
Analysis confirmed the presence of chrysotile asbestos within two areas of thermal insulation debris and within asbestos-containing gaskets associated with historic plant equipment. A further sample of woven rope debris returned a negative asbestos result. The findings identified damaged asbestos insulation debris to both floor and wall areas within the boiler room. These materials were in poor condition and presented an increased risk of fibre release if disturbed.
Following the inspection, detailed recommendations were provided, including the immediate restriction of access and removal of the insulation debris by a licensed asbestos removal contractor. The asbestos-containing gaskets were assessed as lower risk and suitable for management through encapsulation and labelling.
4
Samples Taken
350m²
Area Surveyed
£380
Cost
3 Hours
Project Duration
Positive Outcome
The survey successfully identified previously undocumented asbestos-containing materials within the boiler room building, allowing the museum to take immediate action to protect staff, contractors and visitors.
Following receipt of the report, the affected boiler room area was placed out of bounds pending remedial works, ensuring nobody could inadvertently enter an area containing damaged asbestos insulation debris. Clear recommendations were provided for licensed asbestos removal and ongoing management of the remaining asbestos-containing materials.
The National Coal Mining Museum now has an up-to-date asbestos survey, asbestos register and management recommendations for the building, ensuring compliance with their legal duty to manage asbestos and helping safeguard the site for the future.