Who is responsible for initiating a good faith survey?

The responsibility for initiating a good faith survey primarily resides with building owners. A good faith survey is typically conducted as part of the due diligence process to determine whether asbestos-containing materials exist in a building prior to renovation or demolition work. Since building owners have a legal and ethical obligation to ensure that their properties are safe and compliant with regulatory requirements, they are the ones who must initiate this survey.

By acting as the point of initiation for the survey, building owners can ensure that potential hazards are identified and managed appropriately. This is not only a protective measure for the workers involved in any subsequent abatement activities but also serves to safeguard the health of future occupants or the public.

While qualified asbestos professionals may conduct the actual survey and asbestos abatement supervisors manage the process, the obligation to get this evaluation started lies with the building owners. Local government authorities may enforce regulations and guidelines regarding asbestos management, but they do not take the responsibility for initiating this survey themselves.