A hazardous materials survey establishes the quantity, location and dustiness class of hazardous substances

Industrial demolition

Asbestos and hazardous materials survey

A complete picture of the structures and materials containing substances harmful to health, plus precise instructions for their safe removal

A hazardous materials survey paves the way for demolition

An asbestos and hazardous materials survey is an assessment of the presence of hazardous materials, together with recommended measures for removing materials that contain harmful substances. An asbestos survey is a statutory assessment that must be carried out before demolition, repair or alteration work on buildings completed before 1994, in which asbestos-containing building materials are very likely to have been used. A hazardous materials survey is also carried out when structures are suspected of containing substances harmful to health. It is worth carrying out the asbestos and hazardous materials survey as early as the project planning stage, as demolition work cannot begin until the surveys have been completed.

An asbestos and hazardous materials survey establishes the quantity, type, location and dustiness class of asbestos and other hazardous materials. Based on the survey, recommended measures are given for choosing a safe demolition method. We offer comprehensive asbestos and hazardous materials surveys as part of demolition projects, and we also take care of the safe removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, which you can read more about on our asbestos and hazardous materials removal page.

Why choose us?

Our AHA-certified experts survey the quantity, type, location and dustiness class of asbestos and other hazardous materials.
We produce a clear survey report and recommend measures for removing materials that contain hazardous substances.
We also take care of the safe removal of materials containing asbestos and other hazardous substances.
We stick to the schedule.
We remove materials containing asbestos and hazardous substances after the survey.
Our 2024 NPS of 82 shows that our clients are satisfied with our services and are happy to recommend them.

What are hazardous materials?

The substances harmful to health that are investigated in connection with demolition work are asbestos, PAH and PCB compounds and heavy metals, which have been widely used in various building materials in different eras.

Asbestos has been used, for example, as a heat and fire protection material and in insulation, paints, adhesives, coatings, fillers, and tile fixing and grouting mortars. PAH compounds are found in old bitumen-based waterproofing, among other things, while PCB compounds have been used as insulating materials, in paints and as plasticisers in sealants. Heavy metals such as lead may have been used in paints, pipework and electrical equipment.

Key things to remember about hazardous materials

By law, an asbestos and hazardous materials survey must be carried out on all buildings completed before 1994, and it is also advisable for buildings that may be suspected of containing hazardous materials.
It is worth carrying out the asbestos and hazardous materials survey as early as the project planning stage, as demolition work cannot begin until the surveys have been completed.
Asbestos and hazardous materials surveys can only be carried out by an AHA-certified asbestos and hazardous materials expert.
In addition to asbestos and hazardous materials surveys, we carry out asbestos and hazardous materials removal.

A worker preparing for an asbestos survey — Asbestos and hazardous materials surveys are carried out by a professional specialising in hazardous materials and their removal, known as an AHA expert

How is a hazardous materials survey carried out?

An asbestos and hazardous materials survey can only be carried out by an AHA-certified asbestos and hazardous materials expert, or AHA expert, who understands the risks associated with hazardous materials and knows how to protect themselves against them in line with safety requirements. An AHA expert is familiar with high-risk structures in buildings, the building materials that used to contain asbestos and other harmful substances, and the legislation on handling them, and knows how samples should be taken so that the test results are reliable.

What our client says about our hazardous materials survey

Umacon surveyed how much of that fibre cement board there was and put together a quote for the additional work really quickly. It was really good that we got a clear survey. They didn’t just start working on an hourly basis – we knew what was being done there and how much it was going to cost. Overall, the project went well. Umacon has a can-do attitude. They take things seriously and collaborate well.

Jani Sandholm

Site Supervisor, Hartela

2024

Contact us

Let's talk demolition

Contact us in whatever way suits you best and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Our experienced project managers are there to support you, even if your demolition project is still on the drawing board.

Our staff contact details tarjouspyynto@umacon.fi

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There are superpowers behind every uncompromising result

Hazmat Tolerance

We’re not immune to hazardous materials, but we know exactly how to handle them safely.

Risk Compass

There’s nothing magical about our risk management – it’s based on careful anticipation and nearly 40 years of experience in challenging working environments. We spot risks before they arise and ensure safety on every project.

Safety Shield

Safety is our number one priority. We don’t have an invisible force field, but our commitment to health and safety ensures that everyone on site and in the surrounding area stays safe.

See our case studies

Case studies

A worker carrying out asbestos removal on site