ABSTRACT
Membership of professional organisations among the asbestos surveying fraternity is only a requirement for chartered surveyors and occupational hygienists. Many asbestos surveying organisations, for example, are also members of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) either as full or associate members or members of ATaC (Asbestos Testing and Consultancy) which is the consultancy branch of ARCA. RICS for some time now has required evidence of continuing professional development and BOHS has started to apply the same requirements for their Occupational Hygienists. BOHS have recently set up a special interest group on fibres. Employers liability cover costs for asbestos work have rocketed. Asbestos surveyors require professional indemnity cover. Any surveyor who operates without adequate PI cover is taking a great risk. There has been concern within the industry at the moment that 'cowboy' surveyors operate in the market without the required insurance cover or accreditation with a consequent huge commercial advantage in reduced operating costs.
