How to Get Your Sample Tested for Asbestos – Follow These 6 Steps!
If you’re renovating and find something that might be asbestos, or if you’re on a worksite and need to check a suspicious material, G&L has you covered. Here’s how to get it tested.
We have two labs in the UK that test asbestos samples: one in Wellington, Somerset, and the other in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. You can drop off your samples in person or fill out an online form and send them in.
- Stay Safe!
- Samples should be taken carefully to prevent fibres being released by following guidelines for sampling taken from the HSG264 – Asbestos: The Survey Guide. You can also refer to our sampling guidelines.
- Sample Size
- The sample should be about the size of a 50 pence piece. For textured coatings (sometimes known as Artex), a tablespoon-sized sample is enough.
- It is not recommended that samples are taken of any insulations and highly fibrous materials unless you have training and experience in safe sampling procedures.
If in doubt, contact us for advice. If you’re not confident, G&L can take a sample for you.
- Double Bag the Samples
- Handle your sample with care and put it in a sealable plastic sandwich bag, seal it, and place in another sealable plastic sandwich bag, and seal this one. Don’t use tape to wrap samples.
- Label the Sample Bag
- Include your name and address and reference number/name on the sample bag. If submitting online, add the reference number/name from your bag. Provide additional details like the type of material your sample came from, date, sampling location, and site address. You can also hand-deliver samples to our office. If sending, keep the sample double-bagged in a padded envelope.
- Choose Your Turnaround Time
- We offer results within 2-3 days for £30 + VAT, next working day results for £40 + VAT, or a ‘while you wait’ option for hand-delivered samples at £100 + VAT. These timescales start from when we receive the samples.
- Get Your Results
- Our UKAS accredited lab will quickly provide your results. Don’t continue work or disturb the material until you get a negative result. If the sample is positive, we offer competitive rates for asbestos removal or management.
To submit a sample, click the button below.
Should you require any further safety guidance regarding the sampling of asbestos-containing materials, please contact us at one of the following numbers: Somerset Office at 01823 443 898 or Northern Ireland Office at 028 4062 3566.
Note: If hand-delivering samples, please ensure they are double-bagged before bringing them into our premises.
