Vermiculite / Asbestos

[joni os]

Until now I have been guided by John Addison's paper: "VERMICULITE IS NOT ASBESTOS" Addison-Lynch, Edingburgh February 1994.
Today I encountered a case where Surveyor refused to enter loft space until Vermiculite tested.
If HSE guidance has been changed could someone update me.
If test now required, should we regard it as a business opportunity, take samples and submit for testing.
Ensuring our health and safety and in part recouping cost of site visit.

 

[Chalked]

Vermiculite is not asbestos. It's a mineral in its own right. But in America they found that the mine that produced most of the american stock was contaminated with asbestos. So therefore all vermiculite is now deemed to be treated as if it is asbestos.

 

[joni os]

Thanks Chalked. Do you have a HSE link to this that can be printed off to show clients.
With particular reference to "TREAT AS IF ASBESTOS".
I can forsee a lot of 1960/70s houses needing certification.

 

[Chalked]

Can't find anything mate.
Looks like it's all about potential risk.