Asbestos Hub Magazine - Issue 8

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Introducing you to even more of the asbestos industry in video and real time.

1. “In Conversation With...”

A traditional interview involving industry pioneers where our host meets with contractors, suppliers and those with something interesting to say about the asbestos industry.

2. The Site Visit

See what the UK’s contractors are up to on site, where we capture some fantastic footage and showcase the job.

We are also in attendance at an abundance of events in 2023, so watch out for us and our camera.

PUBLISHER

Ben Chambers

ben@globalnews.media

01903 952 648

EDITOR

Toby Wilsdon

toby@globalnews.media

01903 952 645

TO ADVERTISE

john@globalnews.media

01903 952 640

DESIGN

Nicki Chambers

nic@globalnews.media

01903 952 640

Alex Jarrett

PRODUCED & PUBLISHED BY Global News Media Ltd

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1-6 Chapel Road

Worthing

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BN11 1EX

ASBESTOS HUB ISSUE 8

Asbestos Hub is in media association with UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA)

Asbestos Hub is published four times a year. Subscription records are maintained at Global News Media Ltd, Suites 5 & 6, Chapel House, 1-6 Chapel Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1EX.

Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Global News Media Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Welcome

to issue #8 of Asbestos Hub

Welcome to Asbestos Hub magazine, the first issue for 2023 and as you’ll soon see by a flick through the news section what a busy year it has already been.

I can personally vouch for that, those that know us

reasonably well know that we serve a variety of industries all closely linked within construction, namely construction equipment with Diggers

LIVE magazine, the sister magazine to Asbestos Hub for demolition –Demolition Hub and the magazine you have in your hands (or on your tablet) now for the asbestos abatement and removal industry.

It was for the former two sectors that my time has had to be prioritised and by a quirk of fate for a considerable part of my time this year has bizarrely been spent in North America at a number of iconic events and expos. After being immersed in the industry for more than two years now, my thirst hasn’t diminished one iota.

To qualify this, I signed up for the UKNAR Asbestos SMART live event. Unfortunately this would have been at 3am in my location – a step too far after a very busy day at one of the largest trade fairs in the world. So I am pleased to say Toby signed up in my stead. Find out more on page 48.

As the team and I are excited to promote the industry in 2023 and keep you all informed on new legislation, innovative products and interesting case studies and projects, have my assurance it is very much your time now and you have all of mine.

Looking ahead at events coming up that we will be represented at, we have the returning Asbestonomy event in Brussels in June (page 46), the UKATA Excellence Awards the following month in the East Midlands and our own 2nd annual British Asbestos Awards, taking place on 1 September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

You can now enter your company into these awards on the website: BritishAsbestosAwards.com. Read all about it on page 44.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Brussels in a couple of months and please do not hesitate to get in touch with my team or me; we do enjoy your feedback and contributions.

My very best,

Ben Chambers Publisher, Asbestos Hub ben@globalnews.media

CONTENTS

6

UKATA: All the latest news and information from the industry body

NEWS: All the latest asbestos news from around the world

12

• £2.1m cash injection to help researchers detect asbestos cancer earlier

• £1.4m for Norwich council building asbestos removal

• Asbestos confirmed in Oldham's Coliseum Theatre after council spat

• Companies urged to take more care when sourcing PPE after face mask prosecution

• BSIF 2023 Product Innovation Award and Safety Solution Award shortlist announced

• Clifford Devlin joins Race For Life 2023

• Rogue trader who ran Asbestos Boss jailed

• Asbestos cuts Bohemian FC's Dalymount Park stadium capacity

• UKATA lends support to new HSE WorkRight ‘Asbestos & You’ Campaign

Asbestos SMART 22

23 Asbestos & You Pull-out guide for trades

44

The 6th EAF conference: Towards a Safer Future by Dr Yvonne Waterman LLM MFAAM

Entries open for the 2023 British Asbestos Awards

46

ASBESTOS REMOVAL COMPANY DIRECTOR JAILED

”Asbestos is a killer. Companies and their directors need to recognise the dangers of removing asbestos by themselves both to their employees and others Asbestos removal should only be carried out by trained personnel who understand the risks and how to control them

Asbestos Boss Limited, also known as Asbestos Team and its director, Daniel Luke Cockcroft, advertised as a licensed asbestos removal company and removed licensable material from domestic properties throughout Great Britain

An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Asbestos Boss Limited had never held a licence and their poor working practices resulted in the large scale spread of asbestos and exposure to homeowners and their families. Little to no precautions were taken by Asbestos Boss Limited and so their own workers, as well as anybody at the premises they were working on, were at serious risk of exposure to asbestos The company and their director also breached a prohibition notice on several occasions

At Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 10 March, Asbestos Boss Limited of Old Gloucester Street, London was found guilty of breaching regulations 8(1) and 11(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 They were also found guilty of one charge relating to the failure to comply with a prohibition notice at two separate addresses which prevented them from working with licensed asbestos materials The company are awaiting sentence

Company director Daniel Luke Cockcroft of Darnes Avenue, Halifax, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in relation to the company’s failing of regulation 8(1) and 11(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 as well as the charge for breach of a prohibition notice He was immediately imprisoned for six months and ordered to pay victim compensation.

Asbestos Boss Limited have deliberately removed a highly dangerous material resulting in a significant risk of exposure to cancer causing asbestos. They not only have put their customers at risk but have also undoubtedly put themselves, their workers, and their families at serious risk.”

- HSE Inspector, Matt Greenly

“By undertaking asbestos removal work himself, Mr Cockcroft has also chanced his own life, and the life of his family by working unsafely with asbestos, despite knowing full well what the risks were.

This case should serve as a warning to any other companies who think they can make a quick profit by cutting corners and risking lives. I also hope that potential customers will be able to avoid rogue companies like Asbestos Boss by carrying out simple checks to ensure that any company they employ is legitimate and competent to prevent them and their families being put at serious risk.”

Asbestos Boss Limited and Mr Daniel Cockcroft, of Darnes Avenue, Pyenest, Halifax were also prosecuted by Stockport Trading Standards, in a jointly run case with HSE. Daniel Cockcroft and the company were both charged with fraud in relation to falsifying training certificates, a business insurance document and unauthorised use of trade association logos. This gave the impression that the business was credible and that workers were adequately trained and competent in relation to asbestos removal.

Daniel Cockcroft pleaded guilty to fraud and the company was also convicted. Daniel Cockcroft was sentenced to an additional 4 month in prison making

Credit: Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

Credit: Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

a total prison term of 10 months The company is awaiting sentence at an additional hearing.

Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Our Trading Standards team, work closely with other agencies and will do our utmost to ensure offenders like this, who carry out work with no regard for the safety of our residents, are brought to justice.

“I am delighted that these criminals have been held to account The message is very clear – we will not tolerate this in Stockport and will take robust action wherever possible ”

UKATA assisted the investigation with Stockport Trading Standards by providing evidence on the legitimacy of Daniel Cockcroft's training certificate.

All UKATA certificates are traceable via an online certificate validation tool, and additionally by the introduction of an individual certificate QR code. Each certificate contains a unique certificate number and various watermarks. Failure to properly train employees can result in legal proceedings and puts the safety of those employees and members of the public at great risk.

Every employer must ensure that anyone who is liable to disturb asbestos during their normal work, or who supervises those employees, gets the correct level of information, instruction, and training so they can work safely and competently without risk to themselves or others.

HSE has recently launched the “Asbestos & You” campaign highlighting the dangers of asbestos and has guidance on the safe working with asbestos,

Highlighting the dangers of asbestos and has guidance on the safe working with asbestos, highlighting the requirement for appropriate asbestos training.

To find a UKATA approved asbestos training provider near you, visit www.ukata.org.uk

upport the Health and Safety to raise asbestos awareness and the importance of training across the construction industry. The dangers of asbestos are very real, with over 5,000 people in the UK dying each year from asbestos-related diseases. Every individual working in construction, from apprentices to experienced professionals, must understand the risks associated with asbestos and take them seriously.

It is crucial that tradespeople are aware of the risks involved in disturbing or damaging asbestoscontaining materials, as inhaling these fibres can lead to devastating diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

UKATA members are committed to providing highquality asbestos training, delivered by experienced and competent professionals with extensive knowledge and expertise in their field, to help prevent unnecessary exposure and protect the health and wellbeing of all those working in the industry”.

Speaking on the campaign, Craig Evans, UKATA Chief Operating Officer said:

JOIN OUR REGISTER OF LICENSED AND NON-LICENSED ASBESTOS REMOVAL COMPANIES

10% DISCOUNT FOR ASBESTOS HUB READERS

With increasing public awareness of the dangers of asbestos, we are receiving more and more enquiries from concerned individuals looking for approved organisations for asbestos removal. Our new register for licensed asbestos removal contractors and non-licensed removal companies provides a central hub for the public to find trusted and reputable companies for their asbestos removal needs.

By joining the UKATA register, your organisation will receive an enhanced profile on the UKATA website, including map listing and links to your website and social media channels. With a monthly reach of 10,000 visitors, your organisation will benefit from increased exposure and visibility to potential clients.

Joining the UKATA register is a simple process, cost-effective, and demonstrates your commitment to maintaining the highest standards of asbestos removal. Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your organisation to a wider audience and join the UKATA register today!

DUTY HOLDERS AND CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES

UKATA (the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association) is a leading association dedicated to improving the quality and standards of asbestos training, with the ultimate goal of protecting workers and the public from the risks associated with asbestos exposure.

Chris Bishop, UKATA Director, is set to address delegates at The Health & Safety Event on Thursday 27 April at 12:00pm with his seminar titled “Asbestos: Duty Holders and Contractors Responsibilities”

His presentation will give an overview of the duty holder and the appointed persons legal responsibilities and those working on site in respect of asbestos information, dissemination and training requirements

As a Chartered Chemist, Chartered Quality Practitioner and Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, Chris Bishop has worked with UKATA since its inception, and represents the association at the HSE led Asbestos Network meetings.

For over 20 years, Chris has been working within the asbestos industry. Over a decade ago, he started his own asbestos consultancy and training company AT&C (Asbestos Training & Consultancy) Ltd which offers asbestos awareness, non-licensable, licensable, duty to manage and asbestos surveyor training courses along with site support. His company also works with clients in managing asbestos and provides consultancy support for remediation projects, including contaminated land

Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham between 25 –27 April, The Health & Safety Event is the UK’s largest gathering of anyone responsible for running a safe and efficient workplace. With a unique range of seminars, practical workshops, and exhibition halls, it attracts thousands of workplace professionals from the industrial, commercial, and public sectors.

The free to attend event is co-located with three other leading sector events, covering 20,000spm at the NEC, meaning more content, more products, and more exhibitors.

We are committed to promoting excellence in asbestos training through the development and implementation of high-quality training standards, the provision of best practice guidance, and the promotion of safe and responsible working practices within the asbestos industry

As an association, we work closely with our members to ensure that they have access to the latest information, training resources and industry updates, and we provide a range of support services to help them achieve their training goals. Our membership base includes a wide range of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers.

At UKATA, we are passionate about promoting safe and responsible working practices, and we are committed to working together with our members and partners to achieve our shared goal of protecting workers and the public from the risks associated with asbestos exposure.

£2.1m cash injection to help researchers detect asbestos cancer earlier

Researchers studying why it can take decades for exposure to asbestos to develop into a cancer diagnosis are receiving £2.1m funding to help tackle the “long and painful legacy” of the substance.

Mesothelioma, which currently has a very poor survival rate, most commonly starts in layers of tissue covering the lungs.

This usually happens following the inhalation of asbestos fibres, which can come from some building materials. While the material is now outlawed, mesothelioma cases have increased since the early 1990s according to experts, who also said it can take more than 40 years to develop and to receive a diagnosis.

This is partly due to early symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue and constant coughing

being overlooked because they are similar to other illnesses.

The charity said rates are noticeably higher in the west of Scotland, which includes the regions Ayrshire and Arran, Forth Valley, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire, as compared to the the country’s average.

According to Public Health Scotland (PHS) data collected between 2016 and 2020, these local authority areas together had more than half of the whole of Scotland’s reported mesothelioma cases (506 out of 992).

Cancer Research UK said around 100 of the 200 new cases in Scotland each year are reported in the west of the country.

PHS data released between 2015 and 2019 also showed only about four in 10 people (44.3%)

diagnosed with mesothelioma in Scotland survive for one year or more.

The newly-funded team of researchers, led by professor Daniel Murphy at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute in Glasgow, and professor Marion MacFarlane of the Medical Research Council in Cambridge, hope to find new molecular features that could make it easier to diagnose and treat mesothelioma earlier, before symptoms appear.

Professor MacFarlane said mesothelioma does not respond to conventional therapy, and the mutations that drive it are not easily targeted with drugs.

“Due to the prolonged period between initial exposure and diagnosis, and difficulty in distinguishing pre-cancerous tissues to benign ones, the molecular features of early-stage disease are poorly understood,” she said.

Professor Murphy said a new programme, known as REMIT, and other Glasgow projects called PREDICT-Meso and IAMMED-Meso, will seek to form a comprehensive strategy for early detection, risk stratification and more effective treatments for mesothelioma patients.

“In order to develop new strategies for the prevention and treatment of mesothelioma, we need a much deeper understanding of the basic biology behind how it progresses,” he said.

Noel Hynes, who works

£1.4m for Norwich council building asbestos removal

Workers to start removing asbestos from city council buildings as part of £7m scheme to make properties safe

Norwich City Council's cabinet has agreed to spend the cash on asbestos surveys, removal and fire risk assessments over the next four years.

The first year of the project will see asbestos removed from the boiler room in City Hall, as well as floor tiles from Normandie Tower and from an unspecified area of The Halls, with £568,000 set aside for work. In total, £1.4m will be spent on removal across the four years. The rest of the £6,791,090 will be spent

on asbestos surveys (£2.1m) and on fire risk assessments (£3.2m).

The fire risk assessment will include examining fire doors to make sure they perform to standard, as well as surveying construction materials and builders' works.

This comes after City Hall announced it is having to replace hundreds of inadequate doors in its homes because they may not perform as required in the event of a fire.

with the Clydebank Asbestos Group, offering support to others and their families who have been diagnosed with asbestosrelated illness, spoke about his father, Patrick, who died from mesothelioma in 2020.

“My dad worked on the shipyards for three or four years in the late 1950s and early 60s,” he said.

“He was working with concrete at the docks and other workers were breaking up sheets of asbestos next to him which caused a white dust.

“They were all breathing it in with no masks or protection back then – in those days they just got on with it.”

Mr Hynes’s father went on

to work in other jobs, never working with asbestos again. But he started to feel breathless in 2017 and it became progressively worse until he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2018 and he died, aged 91, in May 2020.

The father of seven, grandfather and great grandfather had been offered tests via a biopsy with potential further treatment but felt the long-term benefits of tests and treatment at his age would outweigh the short-term risks.

Mr Hynes, from Clydebank, added: “It’s awful to see what asbestos does. To see my dad, who hardly missed a day of work in his life and never complained,

suffering with pain was just heart-breaking for the family to watch. He was such a strong, brave man.”

Cancer Research UK’s Executive Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Iain Foulkes, said while new treatments that harness the immune system to attack mesothelioma are coming through, “the long and painful legacy of asbestos use is still sadly being felt today”.

“Survival remains poor and we need better ways to catch mesothelioma earlier,” he said.

“That’s why we’re funding more research to develop our understanding of this disease and make an even greater difference for patients.”

Normandie Tower, Rouen Road, Norwich (Image: Antony Kelly)

Asbestos confirmed in Oldham Coliseum Theatre after council spat

Spat between Oldham council and Coliseum over whether theatre has asbestos put to rest

In a joint statement from Oldham Council and Oldham Coliseum, the organisations confirmed that asbestos was still present in the building.

While the asbestos was said to be safe for audiences and staff, the organisations said it would make future work to maintain and restore the 135-year-old building more difficult and would increase costs.

However, the statement has only come about after repeated claims from the Coliseum that the building is asbestos safe and had been removed in 2012.

The saga started after multiple local politicians claimed the building, which was built in 1885, had asbestos.

The claim was touted by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as part of his weekly phone-in show on 17 February.

After a texter asked the Mayor about the Coliseum’s

closure, Andy Burnham said: “As I understand it that there is substantial building work that would be needed on the Coliseum – I think there’s asbestos and other issues there.”

The claim was then repeated by the leader of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Amanda Chadderton.

Speaking to the BBC, she said of the beleaguered building: “It is riddled with asbestos, the walls are falling down and we have done another survey recently and there is a litany of problems.”

The claim was further repeated by the official Oldham

Council Twitter account, which, in response to a question about keeping the current building, replied: “It’s not an option unfortunately. The theatre is at the end of its life.

“It is riddled with asbestos and is not accessible for some people with disabilities. The Coliseum was clear that a new building was needed.”

Coliseum says there is no asbestos

Confusion over the claims arose with a post on the official Oldham Coliseum Facebook page.

The post said: “The Coliseum building is absolutely asbestos

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham

safe, reports that it is riddled with asbestos are outdated and incorrect.

“It was removed in 2012 during the refurbishment, as our former Executive Director David explains about two minutes into this video from 10 years ago.”

In the video, the Director says: “All the asbestos has now gone, as have most of the internal walls which is a bit of a shock.”

When asked about the asbestos the following morning, Oldham Coliseum provided this statement: “Recent reports that the Coliseum building is 'riddled with asbestos' are untrue.

“Asbestos removal was a large part of the theatre’s welldocumented refurbishment in 2012.

“We do not deny that the building faces costly challenges in maintenance and repairs – as would be expected from any 135-year-old building – but it is now, and has been for over a decade, completely asbestos safe.

“Reports of walls falling down are also misleading; an external wall, not connected to the building itself, fell in November because it had a tree growing through it.

“The Coliseum’s staff were the first to check for safety when this happened.”

Asbestos after all

The asbestos story took another turn when Oldham Coliseum edited its Facebook post, nearly 24 hours after it was published, to say that asbestos is still present in the building and instead that a ‘large proportion’ of it had been removed in 2012.

prosecution for substandard masks

Companies are being urged to take greater care when sourcing PPE after a company boss was sent to prison and fined for selling substandard face masks.

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has said the case of Paul Scott-South, Director of Hull Cleaning Ltd, pleading guilty to offences relating to the sale of KN95 masks highlights the need for caution.

Mr Scott-South was sent to prison for nine months in February, fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 costs – with the judge describing the company’s facemasks as useless.

The convictions were secured in July 2022 under the PPE and Consumer Protection legislation relating to sales during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The BSIF supported Trading Standards in the prosecution, providing product testing from an “Approved” laboratory and

advice and expert witness statements.

Alan Murray, CEO of BSIF, said: “This case highlights how easily substandard and defective PPE can find its way onto the market and what a serious concern that is.

“We are pleased to see that in this instance the company’s actions have resulted in prosecution but, as our latest non-member tests results show, there is still a large volume of non-compliant products for sale in the UK market being bought and used by unsuspecting customers.

“Once again, we urge all buyers and specifiers to review their current processes and consider what assurances they have that the PPE and safety equipment they are being supplied with is fit for purpose.

“Specifying a Registered Safety Supplier is the easiest way to ensure you only deal with compliant, competent and trustworthy suppliers.”

Companies urged to take more care when sourcing PPE after

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is delighted to announce the finalist shortlist for the BSIF Product Innovation Award PPE Category, Product Innovation Award Safety Product Category and Safety Solution Award Category.

The Product Innovation award finalists will now move forward to the final part of the judging process, where they will have the opportunity to present their products in person to its judging panel.

The award winners will be announced along with the BSIF Customer Service Award winners during the Safety and Health Excellence Awards evening taking place on Wednesday 26 April at The Vox, NEC, Birmingham.

A spokesperson for the BSIF said "We are all looking forward to once again recognising the innovative work of the sector at what promises to be a fantastic night celebrating excellence within the industry."

BSIF Product Innovation Award and Safety Solution Award shortlist announced

Alert Technology announces its world first, real time airborne asbestos monitor and alarm is a finalist in the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Product Innovation Award –Safety Product category

How it works

ALERT’s patented design analyses the airborne environment in real time, using both laser light scattering technology, the paramagnetic properties of asbestos and a unique algorithm to make a statistical analysis of the asbestos detection samples in real time with 99% confidence. Air is drawn in a controlled manner through the ALERT inlet at ~50 ml a minute, at up to 600 particles per second through a pair of laser beams and a magnetic field.

Spatial light scattering

When a particle is illuminated with a beam of light in ALERT’s optical chamber, it will scatter the light in a pattern dependent on its size, shape and structure.

These patterns are like a thumbprint and are recorded and used to ascertain whether the particle is fibrous or not.

Asbestos fibres produce distinctive scattering patterns. However, the light scattering technique alone is not enough to differentiate between highly dangerous asbestos fibres and far less hazardous but generally more common fibres of for example glass or gypsum, which are also commonly found in built environments.

Magnetic alignment

All fibrous particles are preferentially aligned vertically by ALERT’s airflow and the system will measure the angle of alignment as it enters and then transits between the two laser beams.

The paramagnetic properties of all asbestos fibres mean that when exposed to a magnetic field they will try to align themselves. This change in alignment is measured by ALERT’s algorithm, enabling a distinction of asbestos fibres from other non-asbestos fibres passing through the optical chamber.

Clifford Devlin joins Race For Life 2023

Clifford Devlin will be taking part in the Race For Life to raise money for research into all 200 types of cancer. All Race For Life sponsorship goes towards Cancer Research UK's (CRUK) lifesaving work, funding laboratories, tests and treatments.

This year, the Clifford Devlin team have decided to up their game and double the distance as they will now be completing the 10k Race for Life.

Last year, they raised £3,090

and the team is hoping to raise even more this year.

The Clifford Devlin team are all getting involved to raise money for this important cause. The company has a member of each division taking part, from Health and Safety, Asbestos Removal (both management and operational teams), Demolition, to the Managing Director.

To donate, please scan the QR code on the right.

Just like last year, look out for the Clifford Devlin team in

Brentwood on 20 May with their pink Clifford Devlin high vis on.

Rogue trader who ran Asbestos Boss jailed

Health and safety experts say poor working practices resulted in large scale spread of asbestos and exposure to homeowners and families

Stockport Trading Standards brought charges of fraud by false representation against the company and directors in relation to the falsifying of documents with the intent to deceive, as well as unauthorised use of trade and accreditation logos.

The HSE brought action against the company and directors for removing asbestos without a licence, failure to prevent spread of asbestos and breach of the prohibition notice at two properties.

A rogue trader whose firm ripped out asbestos from a garage in Stockport before dumping it in the street has been jailed after it was discovered they never had a licence to do such work and had falsified documents.

Asbestos Boss Ltd was brought in by a resident to remove the asbestos insulating board from the internal garage at their property in September 2021. However, the material was then dumped at the property from where it had been taken, littering the road and pavement with asbestos.

An investigation was launched which established the firm, run by manager/director Daniel Luke Cockcroft, had never held a licence to remove asbestos –despite advertising that they did.

The probe by Stockport Council Trading Standards and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a number of similar cases across

the country involving the firm, where "little to no precautions" had been taken.

These included the removal of asbestos insulating board from 20 riser cupboards, for which Asbestos Boss charged £3,000 for its illegal work. The work was of such poor quality, prosecutors said the site owners were quoted up to £64,000 to put it right.

Council chiefs said their poor working practices resulted in the large scale spread of asbestos and exposure to homeowners and their families and that by doing such work himself Cockcroft had chanced his own life.

It was also discovered during the investigation that the firm had falsified asbestos training certificates and insurance documents and that they, and Cockcroft, had breached a prohibition notice on several occasions.

Cockcroft, of Darnes Avenue, Pyenest, Halifax, pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to ten months in prison by a judge at Manchester Magistrates Court.

The company was not represented in court but the individuals concerned were convicted of all charges against them after a trial in their absence. They will be sentenced at a seperate hearing.

Judge Bernard Begley said Cockcroft’s actions to be "rogue trading at its worst" and said the serious potential health implications from the exposures caused by Cockcroft were an aggravating factor.

Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Our Trading Standards team work closely with other agencies and will do our utmost to ensure offenders like this, who carry out work with no regard for the safety of

our residents, are brought to justice.

"I am delighted that these criminals have been held to account. The message is very clear – we will not tolerate this in Stockport and will take robust action wherever possible.”

HSE Inspector Matt Greenly said: “Asbestos is a killer. Companies and their directors need to recognise the dangers of removing asbestos by themselves both to their employees and others.

"Asbestos removal should only be carried out by trained personnel who understand the risks and how to control them. Asbestos Boss Limited have deliberately removed a highly dangerous material resulting in a significant risk of exposure to cancer-causing asbestos.

"They not only have put their customers at risk but have also undoubtedly put themselves, their workers and their families at serious risk.

"By undertaking asbestos removal work himself, Mr Cockcroft has also chanced his own life and the life of his family by working unsafely with asbestos, despite knowing full well what the risks were.

"This case should serve as a warning to any other companies who think they can make a quick profit by cutting corners and risking lives. I also hope that potential customers will be able to avoid rogue companies like Asbestos Boss by carrying out simple checks to ensure that any company they employ is legitimate and competent to prevent them and their families being put at serious risk"

Asbestos lowers capacity of 'home of Irish football'

The discovery of asbestos during the demolition of a stand in Dalymount Park, Dublin meant a reduced capacity for Bohemian FC's first home league game against Dundalk on 24 February.

The Connaught Street terrace, which has long been condemned, was torn down ahead of the renovation of the former home of Irish football.

Bohemians are set to install a new temporary stand for away supporters, which would allow home fans to occupy both the Jodi Stand and the Des Kelly Stand and increase capacity to more than 4,000.

However, asbestos has slowed works on removing the old stand.

Visiting Lilywhite fans would instead be seated behind one of the goals, meaning fewer seats for home supporters in a soldout capacity of 3,700.

In an update to members before the match, Bohs said: "It is with regret that we have faced minor delays in the construction of our new away stand on the Connaught Street side of Dalymount Park.

"This was due to the discovery of asbestos in the area during the demolition process, which delayed the removal

of existing structures and materials.

"The knock-on effect is that the Des Kelly Stand may have to revert to an away section for the Dundalk game.

"In such an eventuality, those who have already purchased Des Kelly Stand season tickets will receive Jodi Stand tickets for the Dundalk game.

"Des Kelly Stand season tickets are now back on sale online at a reduced rate to take into account that anyone who purchases one from now on will not be entitled to attend our opening home game."

The planned demolition and rebuild of Dalymount Park into a 6,000 capacity arena was scrapped last summer with a new plan made to include terracing.

Several League of Ireland clubs are applying for significant funding for stadium developments due to the lack of necessary facilities to support the game with sold-out matches becoming a regular feature, in particular at Dalymount.

UKATA lends support to New HSE WorkRight ‘Asbestos & You’ Campaign

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announces launch of Asbestos and You campaign, aiming to raise awareness of dangers of asbestos tradespeople continue to face today

The campaign, called Asbestos and You, targets all tradespeople with a focus on younger workers in trades such as plastering and joinery.

The HSE wants to reach construction workers who started their careers after the use of asbestos was banned in 1999.

The body is concerned that young workers perceive that the length of time for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases to develop, is something that only impacts older people who worked in the industry before the ban.

Used in hundreds of materials for the construction industry from the 1950s, asbestos can still be found in buildings built or refurbished before it was banned in 1999. Therefore, all construction workers could potentially still be exposed to this day.

HSE’s chief executive Sarah Albon said: “Asbestos exposure in Great Britain is still the single greatest cause of work-related deaths. We are committed to protecting people in the workplace and reducing future work-related ill health.

“Everyone working in

construction today, of any age, must take the risk from asbestos seriously.

“Asbestos is dangerous when not maintained in a safe condition or if physically disturbed without the right measures in place to avoid fibres being released into the air.”

Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. UKATA Asbestos Awareness training will help keep tradespeople and others around them safe.

If you would like to get involved and for more information please go to workright.campaign.gov.uk/ asbestos-you-campaign-launched

About UKATA

Established in 2008, UKATA is a highly respected, leading authority on asbestos training. UKATA’s passion is to both maintain and improve asbestos training, ensuring the highest

standards are upheld by means of continuous quality assessment of UKATA training provided by our members.

UKATA continuously works within current legislation as a minimum, while collaborating with industry partners to ensure that the UK has the highest standards of asbestos safety.

UKATA freely shares knowledge and information both on the website and across social media, demonstrating that education remains the number one priority.

To find a UKATA approved asbestos training provider near you, visit www.ukata.org.uk or for free advice, call the team on 01246 824 437.

Your safety is our priority

DSK Environmental is a family-run business with more than 15 years experience in the Asbestos Industry.

Keeping you safe is our top priority. Our high quality service offers peace of mind that we meet all hazardous waste removal and fire protective regulations. Every home owner, business owner or duty holder can trust us to remediate and advise on their premises, inline with all statutory regulations and legislation.

We are a family business and relationships are key to everything we do. We’ve created an environment where providing an exceptional 5 Star service is the backdrop for everything we offer.

DSK are proud to support the Mavis Nye Foundation. Created to inspire victims of Mesothelioma, an Asbestos related terminal Cancer. The foundation also contributes to research and development into Mesothelioma and spreading more crucial awareness.

To show your support please go to www.mavisnyefoundation.com

Asbestos SMART

Asbestos SMART is a simple, easy to use technological solution that gives visiting contractors and key on-site personnel immediate access to the latest asbestos register for your building, just by using their mobile phone or smart mobile device.

Every UKNAR registered building enrolled into the Asbestos SMART system is issued with a unique QR code. The QR code presented can be incorporated into a sign. This can be tailored

to your organisation’s individual requirements, including your logo and contact details.

This sign can act as a passive reminder or can be incorporated as an active part of your visitor / contractor sign-in process.

How it works

When the QR code is scanned using a smartphone or smart mobile device, the user downloads a copy of the asbestos register, which then allows them to locate

any previously identified asbestos containing materials (ACMs).

This allows users to understand whether it is safe to proceed with their visit and their work without disturbing ACMs. The whole process can be completed on site in seconds.

We believe this is the most efficient way of getting the necessary and potentially lifesaving information physically into the hands of the right people on site at the time when they actually need it.

Quick guide for trades

Asbestos didn’t disappear when it was banned in the UK. It could be in the house or building you are working on right now.

Left alone, it isn’t dangerous. However, once disturbed, tiny asbestos fibres are released which can prove lethal if breathed in, causing lung disease and cancer. Make sure you know the basics about identifying asbestos and what to do when you come across it.

This guide will help you deal with asbestos on every job.

Did you know?

● 5,000 die every year from asbestos related diseases.

● Every tradesperson is likely to undertake work in a building that contains asbestos at some point.

● There is no cure for asbestosis once it has developed

● Asbestos can be in any building built before the year 2000.

● Asbestos remains in millions of homes, business premises and public buildings today.

● Even small jobs like drilling a hole can expose you to the danger.

● If your work is likely to disturb asbestos, you must take action to ensure that you and others are are not exposed to danger.

Where asbestos hides

Residential property – Inside

A Asbestos cement water tank

B Pipe lagging

C Loose fill insulation

D Textured decorative coating eg Artex

E AIB ceiling tiles

F AIB bath panel

G Toilet seat and cistern

H AIB behind fuse box

I AIB airing cupboard and/or sprayed

insulation coating on

boiler and hot water tank

J AIB partition wall

K AIB interior window panel

L AIB around boiler, storage heaters and warm air heating systems

M Vinyl floor tiles & bitumen adhesives

N AIB behind fire

Outside

O Asbestos cement gutters and downpipes

P Soffits - AIB or asbestos cement

Q AIB exterior window panel

R Asbestos cement roof

S Asbestos cement panels

T Roofing felt – roof undercloaking very commonly cement

AIB = Asbestos insulating board

property

Practical steps for every job

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Asbestos can be in places that you might not expect, so you could come into contact with it without knowing.

HSE Introduction to Asbestos Essentials (A0) is a good place to start. Asbestos Essentials are a series of task sheets that provide step by step guidance of good practice (https://www.hse.gov.uk/ pubns/guidance/a0.pdf).

Before you get started

● Consider doing some basic asbestos awareness training.

● Ask if a survey has been done or if a plan or an asbestos register is available.

● Check if the building was built or refurbished before the year 2000.

● If possible, plan the job to avoid disturbing any asbestos.

On the job

● Be aware that hidden asbestos could still be found even if a survey has been done.

● Be aware of what to watch for and where it hides (pages 4 and 5).

● If you suspect asbestos, assume it is until proven otherwise.

● If you’re not trained to work with asbestos and/or you are not prepared - STOP WORK.

If asbestos is disturbed

If you discover or accidentally disturb asbestos during your work, stop work and see asbestos essentials (em1) for step by step guidance (https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/em1.pdf).

If disturbed it must be dealt with quickly and appropriately.

Remember

Do not work on asbestos materials unless you have been trained and have a risk assessment and plan of work for that particular material. Asbestos awareness training does not allow you to work on asbestos. For more on training see www.hse.gov.uk.

Your company insurance will not cover you or others unless working with asbestos is specifically included and you have complied fully with the Regulations.

Asbestos: Non licensed and licensed work

What is non-licensed asbestos work?

Some materials are lower risk and you can work on them providing you have:

● appropriate training;

● a plan of work risk assessment compliant with Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012;

● company insurance to do so.

If in doubt assume it is licensed until proven otherwise.

What is licensed asbestos work?

Some materials are high risk and it is illegal to work on these materials unless you hold an asbestos license.

Do not touch the following materials, they should only be worked on by a licensed asbestos contractor:

● Asbestos loose fill insulation.

● Asbestos sprayed coating, known as limpet.

● Pre-formed insulation eg asbestos pipe lagging.

● Asbestos insulating board (AIB) eg removing ceiling tiles or panels, where the iob takes more than two hours from start to finish.

● Large amounts of asbestos-containing debris or material eg clearing up after a fire, flood or water leak.

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

Common asbestos-containing material: Loose fill asbestos insulation

● Found in wall and floor cavities and lofts.

● Not always blue can be white

Do not touch!

Any work on loose fill asbestos insulation needs a licensed asbestos contractor.

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

Common asbestos-containing material: Lagging on pipes

● Asbestos insulation found on pipes;

● Often painted over or protected by outer coating.

Do not touch!

Any work on asbestos lagging needs a licensed asbestos contractor.

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

Common asbestos-containing material:

Asbestos insulation board (AIB) – external

External AIB panelling

AIB has many uses both inside and out. It can be found in many places on the outside of buildings including:

● cladding;

● panelling around windows;

● soffit boards (roof overhang – sits behind facia at eaves level).

Work with AIB can easily release asbestos fibres. This material can only be worked on by suitably trained professionals and needs to be risk assessed by someone with sufficient knowledge, training and expertise.

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

AIB soffit board

Common asbestos-containing material:

Asbestos insulation board (AIB) – internal

AIB has many uses both inside and out. It can be found in many places on the inside of buildings including:

● partition walls;

● bath panels;

● panels at the back of fire places;

● fire door panels;

● ceiling tiles.

Work with AIB can easily release asbestos fibres. This material can only be worked on by suitably trained professionals and needs to be risk assessed by someone with sufficient knowledge, training and expertise.

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

AIB ceiling tiles AIB bath panel

Common asbestos-containing material: Spray coating insulation

● Often found on the underside of roofs and sometimes sides of buildings and warehouses;

● Also used as fire protection on steel and reinforced concrete beams/columns and on underside of floors;

● Usually white or grey in colour with a rough surface, although they may have been painted.

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

Common asbestos-containing material: Gas/electric meter and fuse box

● Often found in halls and under stairs;

● In old style fuse boxes each fuse wire may have an individual asbestos flash guard;

● The back panel may also be asbestos insulating board (AIB);

● Meters may sit on an AIB shelf or be separated by an AIB partition ceiling tiles.

Work with AIB can easily release asbestos fibres. This material can only be worked on by suitably trained professionals and needs to be risk assessed by someone with sufficient knowledge, training and expertise.

Some of these materials can be worked on by non-licensed work trained people. See the asbestos essentials task sheets (https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm).

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

AIB back board

Asbestos flash guard

Common asbestos-containing material: Textured coatings, eg Artex

● Often found on walls and ceilings;

● Never sand dry textured coatings or scrape off.

Although non-licensed work, appropriate training is required to work on these materials. See the asbestos essentials tasksheets (https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm).

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

Common asbestos-containing material: Toilet seat and cistern

● Can contain asbestos-reinforced materials;

● Where possible, remove in one piece without breaking up, so fibres are not released;

● Using a crowbar to lever from the wall could release asbestos fibres.

Some of these materials can be worked on by non-licensed work trained people. See the asbestos essentials task sheets (https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm).

Common asbestos-containing material: Vinyl floor tiles

● Vinyl floor tiles and bitumen adhesive may contain asbestos;

● The tile backing paper may also contain asbestos;

● Never sand the floor.

Some of these materials can be worked on by non-licensed work trained people. See the asbestos essentials task sheets (https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm).

Vinyl floor tiles

Bitumen adhesive

Common asbestos-containing material: Asbestos cement

Asbestos cement has many uses inside and out, and can be found in many places including:

● water tanks, frequently found in older properties built before 1980, some cement water tanks are also spray coated;

● gutters and downpipes;

● wall panels;

● roofs;

● floors and paving.

Asbestos cement downpipe and corregated asbestos sheet

Although non-licensed work, appropriate training is required to work on these materials. See the asbestos essentials task sheets (https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm).

To find a licensed asbestos contractor visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos-licensing

Asbestos cement panels and roof sheets / asbestos cement water tank

““We are extremely pleased to have reached the 1 year mark on our flagship project, and we are even more proud to say, that to date, we are accident/incident free. The total man hours worked to date equates to an incredible 64,405 hours!

This is a fantastic accomplishment, which has been achieved due to the high standards set by the management, supervision and site team as a whole. A big thanks to everyone involved in the project, here’s to the next 12 months!”

Asbestos Removal Contractor

Omega Environmental Services Ltd has established itself as a leading asbestos removal and remediation contractor in the UK. The company’s ethos then, as it is today, is one ofunrivalled quality and client satisfaction.

The 6th EAF conference: Towards a Safer Future

by Dr Yvonne Waterman LLM MFAAM

The European Asbestos Forum foundation conference goes from strength to strength. Last November the fifth international conference of the European Asbestos Forum was a huge success. More than 150 asbestos specialists attended, coming from 15 countries, five continents and every conceivable asbestos related background. The foundation truly lived up to its two mottos: “Across Borders and Sectors” and “Sharing Makes Us Stronger”.

Hard to beat, wouldn’t you say? Well, as President of the foundation, I’m proud to lift a bit of the veil surrounding the upcoming conference.

This November: Brussels, watch this space

The EAF 2023 conference, as I announced in early autumn last year, is expected to take place in Brussels in November. It will be a very large event with, as customary, two dozen top speakers from around the world. I will be announcing the venue and exact dates soon, so watch this space. As before, Asbestos Hub will be the media partner, so keep an eye out in this magazine for the very exciting news that I will be gradually sharing as the

due date comes closer. Or – if you haven’t already – connect with the European Asbestos Forum foundation or me on LinkedIn, so you definitely won’t miss anything.

This year’s motto will be Towards a Safer Future. Why this title, and why is it in Brussels? This has everything to do with the leadership that the European Parliament and, in tow, the European Commission are presently showing in the asbestos sector. Following science and innovations, the European Commission intends to revise the Asbestos at Work Directive (Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from risks related to the exposure of asbestos at work).

Many aspects will be considered and updated to the state of the art, such as microscopy methods, the position of victims, the need for innovative asbestos detection and removal methods and, most importantly of all, the Occupational Exposure Level (OEL). The European Commission intends to improve the OEL by a factor 10: from 100,000 f/m3 (0.1 f/cm3) to 10,000 f/m3 (0.01 f/cm3). However, science

advocates a factor 100: to 1,000 f/m3 (0.001 f/cm3). Is this latter objective achievable and what difference would it make? What difference can we make in this regard? Such questions will be at the heart of the conference.

Please bear in mind, all of this reflects the state of the art, the very latest science – as a serious asbestos professional, you will want to participate in this, regardless of whether you live in the EU or not. The effects of the revised AWD will reverberate and serve as a leading example of legislation and best practice around the globe. So, to answer my own question, where else could the EAF 2023 conference possibly be?

Please note: the programme is getting very full already, but there is still space for a speaker on a topic of innovation. If you want to be considered for this precious spot or have a tip, please contact me at yw@europeanasbestosforum.org.

foundation is organising an excursion to visit the fabulous Dutch Asbestos Museum, where you can see many historical, original and often simply jawdropping asbestos artefacts. Owned by Joris Gribnau and Harry Vonk, this globally unique museum is like going to Disneyland for any asbestos specialist. They will share amazing details on the story of the museum and its highly educational collection.

For the date and other details, watch this space or link up with me. This excursion was so popular at the previous EAF conference that I simply have to give in to the many requests for a repeat visit, especially for all those who missed out.

Nearby, the AC Minerals firm is again enthusiastically opening its (normally very private) doors for EAF visitors to show you the very latest in asbestos denaturation – the destruction of asbestos in asbestos cement by means of mildly heated water. At the end of the procedure, the asbestosfree slurry can be reused by the cement industry. This fantastic innovation will herald the end of landfill for asbestos.

Of course, there will be a dinner together to round off the day, and there is still more.

On 9 June, renowned American scientist, mineralogist and geologist Sean Fitzgerald (above) will present on the state of the art regarding asbestos fibres at the beautiful Industrie Museum in Ghent, a Belgian city on the UNESCO list.

The Industrie Museum too has beautiful, historical asbestos containing machinery; for without asbestos, there simply could not have been an industrial revolution. Again, more details to follow soon; keep a close eye on this magazine or the EAF page on LinkedIn (or mine). Afterwards, we’ll all enjoy a walk through the historical city centre and have a memorable dinner together.

There is so much that we can learn from and share with one another, if we are only willing to connect and look beyond the confines of our own professions. The whole point, ultimately is saving lives.

It all starts with connecting into the global network: sharing problems, different perspectives and solutions.

If you are of this mind too, if you want to make an effort to be the best asbestos professional that you can be, to meet and listen to inspiring speakers, to meet others who are like you, then I look forward to welcoming you to the European Asbestos Forum 2023 in Brussels later this year.

A very special lecture by Sean Fitzgerald (FACTS)

Entries now open for 2023 British Asbestos Awards

The website for the asbestos industry event of the year was opened earlier this month, including a new category as well as the capability to enter your company into the 2023 awards online.

The entire UK asbestos removal and abatement industry is able to enter via the website at britishasbestosawards.com for any of the following five categories:

Asbestos Contractor of the Year, Asbestos Supplier of the Year, Asbestos Operative of the Year, Asbestos Removal Project of the Year, and new for 2023, Asbestos Trainee/Apprentice of the Year.

The 2nd annual British Asbestos Awards forms a large part of the well-established demolition event, The British Demolition Awards, which began life in 2018 and is one of the largest demolition events in the world, last year attracting over 400 guests.

We added the British Asbestos Awards to the prestigious demolition awards event last year, allowing people from the closely related industries to meet up, network and celebrate together.

We would welcome the UK’s asbestos industry to join us and enter. For more details please go to: www.britishasbestosawards.com.

8

Established in 2022, Asbestonomy’s mission is to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure worldwide. As simple as it may seem, this ambition is still far from being achieved.

Asbestos is still not banned absolutely everywhere. Today, millions of people around the world are exposed to asbestos fibres at work or in their daily lives, sometimes unknowingly. And even in countries where asbestos is banned, this mineral fibre, which is invisible to the naked eye, continues to do enormous damage.

With our range of backgrounds and experience, we know that these exposures are easily preventable. Reducing the risk of exposure could save millions of lives in the years to come.

Definitions and challenges

The suffix -nomy comes from the Greek for distribution, organisation (arrangement) and management. More specifically, it denotes a system of rules, laws or knowledge, often linked to science.

Asbestonomy is defined as the science of asbestos and its associated system of knowledge, internationally organised and distributed to better manage the risks associated with asbestos and thereby reduce the risk of exposure. To do this, Asbestonomy gathers, creates, promotes and processes knowledge in order to effectively increase the skills of asbestos risk management stakeholders.

Our areas of interest

• The effects of asbestos on human health: to better

understand the different mechanisms we can use to protect people,

• Asbestos in the professional world: to catalogue the various methods and tools available to reduce the risks, from in-situ management to removal and disposal,

• Asbestos in the environment: in both its natural and processed state, to better understand its environment and thereby manage it more effectively,

• Research and development, innovation: to explore new methods, knowledge and innovations aimed at preventing the risks of asbestos.

Our different operating methods

The Asbestonomer community recognises the value of knowledge sharing. We provide

practical tools to help you to intelligently capitalise on our knowledge and knowhow by creating synergies within the community of asbestonomers. Among the tools at your disposal:

• A bi-monthly newsletter to stay connected and up to date on new regulations, innovations, knowledge and other topics,

• Written content including scientific works and the book Voyage au bout de l’amiante (Journey to the end of asbestos),

• Media, with replays of conferences, interviews and educational videos.

Asbestonomy aims to achieve international knowledge sharing through:

• A directory of recognised contacts to facilitate discussion within the community,

• International professional training,

• International work groups to exchange ideas with experts and work together to deliver solutions for our sector.

Asbestonomy is committed to providing technical and financial support to initiatives that reinforce our shared mission:

• Associations, charities and foundations that work daily to support victims of asbestosrelated diseases,

• Asbestos management and removal projects where they are needed but would normally not be possible in the local economic context,

• Campaigns to improve asbestos regulations at the national or international level

• Local events and conferences held to raise awareness and increase local competence.

The highlight of the year is an international event for members to share ideas, encourage collaboration, and breathe life into various discussions. The event aims to bring together international asbestos professionals at conferences led by experts, and allow them to socialise and get to know one another. To maximise Asbestonomy’s reach and ensure that everyone gets a chance to attend, this international event moves to a different location each year. After the success of our London 2022 event, we’ll be heading to Brussels in 2023.

For more information please go to asbestonomy.com/get-involved

Ridding the UK of deadly asbestos

On 17 November 2021, the Work and Pensions Select Committee began taking evidence for its investigation into whether the Health and Safety Executive’s asbestos management is fit for purpose.

Expert witnesses were invited to give evidence including Liz Darlison (above), Chief Executive of Mesothelioma UK, a specialist resource centre for the asbestosrelated cancer, mesothelioma.

Joining Liz on the expert witness panel were representatives from various organisations including the Airtight on Asbestos Campaign, the Joint Union Asbestos Committee, and the Asbestos Victims Support Groups’ Forum UK.

During her impassioned and powerful testimony to the Work and Pensions’ Committee, Liz

expressed the death toll due to asbestos exposure in terms of the number of people who drowned (1,500+) on the ill-fated ocean liner, Titanic: “The total loss of life is equal to the sinking of more than three Titanics every year.”

Liz went on to say: “There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, which is an entirely preventable disease. The government needs to commit to ring fenced mesothelioma research monies and a national plan to remove asbestos to prevent exposure.”

The evidence given to the committee illustrated how asbestos is still the UK's number one occupational killer. According to HSE statistics on asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer in Britain, asbestos-related deaths have now climbed to over 5,000

each year. In 2020, there were 2,544 mesothelioma deaths in total, with a similar number of lung cancer deaths linked to past exposures to asbestos.

There is also rising concern about how the demographic and occupation of those dying is changing. Teachers, healthcare workers, members of the armed forces and younger people who have never had direct contact with asbestos are all at risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease. This is something that has also been identified by Mesothelioma UK nurses, who are seeing patients from occupational backgrounds previously not considered at high risk of exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma UK is dedicated to providing specialist

mesothelioma information, support and education, and to improving care and treatment for all UK mesothelioma patients and their carers. It aims to prevent mesothelioma happening to future generations.

In addition to supporting patients and families through a network of clinical nurse specialists, Mesothelioma UK funds research, produces a National Mesothelioma Audit, promotes clinical trials and collaborates with organisations and campaigns seeking to promote better management or removal of asbestos.

The charity uses its experience, mission and expertise to drive change and, following the contributions by Mesothelioma UK and other asbestos experts at the meeting, the Work and Pensions

Select Committee produced a report in 2022

a suite of reforms that could radically improve asbestos regulations in the UK. These included:

• A cross-government strategy for the removal of asbestos from public buildings including hospitals, schools, council buildings and more,

• Creating a national asbestos database to record all asbestos currently remaining in public buildings – including type, quantity, risk factor, etc,

• Changing the current policy of ‘management in-situ’, which is best described as a sticking plaster for a holding policy. Other nations have enacted prioritised, scheduled removal of asbestos from atrisk buildings – the UK should follow suit,

• Developing a national asbestos strategy between the government and the HSE, which would coordinate efforts to remove asbestos from high-risk settings. This would include CLASP-type schools; prefabricated structures built in the 1950s and 1960s with large quantities of amosite – or ‘brown asbestos’,

• Creating a robust research framework into the measurement of asbestos exposure using more advanced techniques than are currently practiced

The report referred to asbestosrelated illness as “one the great workplace tragedies of modern times”, with the HSE estimating that the total annual cost of death from mesothelioma is £3.4bn. According to the HSE asbestos can be found in any industrial or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000.

Unfortunately, the government/ HSE response to the report showed little movement on any of the recommendations. On the phased, prioritised removal of asbestos from at-risk buildings – something Mesothelioma UK strongly advocates – the government says: “The government could only advocate a proactive course of action in this area if there is compelling evidence that the undoubted increase in exposure to asbestos workers that will result from active removal, possibly prematurely, is justified in terms of reducing risk of exposure to building users. At present this evidence is not there.”

This is despite much recent research showing an up-tick in secondary exposure to asbestos, especially in older-build schools and hospitals.

With the continued danger of asbestos exposure, particularly to public sector workers, Mesothelioma UK will continue to work with asbestos experts to press the government to implement the recommendations of the Work and Pensions Select Committee so that future deaths from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases can be prevented.

For more information on the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma and the work of Mesothelioma UK, please visit www.mesothelioma.uk.com.

Sam scoops top national qualification at S Roberts Group

A director at a prominent southwest asbestos removal contractor has been awarded with one of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management’s (CIWM) top national waste and resource qualifications.

Sam Lawson, Asbestos and Operations Director at Bridgwaterbased S Roberts Group, has achieved a Waste Management

Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB) Level 4 High Risk Operator Competence for Managing Transfer of Hazardous Waste.

He said: “I am really pleased to get this qualification as it represents a significant aspect of my role here at Roberts. It demonstrates that I have the

required knowledge and skills, to manage or supervise a permitted waste facility, in this instance managing our permitted Asbestos Waste Transfer Station.

“Our permitted Asbestos Waste Transfer Station can accept both bonded and fibrous asbestos containing materials generated from remediation work, as we’re a licensed asbestos removal contractor. We also offer a hazardous waste collection service, carried out by our highly trained operatives, utilising vehicles with specially designed waste storage containers.”

WAMITAB has developed more than 120 qualification pathways to ensure competence in the workplace and to promote environmental sustainability.

At the end of 2021, WAMITAB withdrew from its status as an awarding organisation and its parent organisation CIWM became the awarding body for all waste and resource qualifications nationwide.

CIWM is a professional membership body that represents and supports more than 5,000 individuals and 250 affiliated

Sam Lawson, Asbestos and Operations Director at Bridgwater-based S Roberts Group, who has achieved a Waste Management Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB) Level 4 High Risk Operator Competence for Managing Transfer of Hazardous Waste

organisations across the UK and overseas. It is both a professional body and an awarding one. It develops and awards regulated qualifications.

Vicky Owens, Asbestos and Demolition Director at S Roberts Group, said: “CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 4 High Risk Operator Competence for Managing Transfer of Hazardous Waste is part of the awarding body’s Operator Competence Scheme and is designed to provide technically competent people with the knowledge and skills to ensure waste sites comply with Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations.

“This includes topics such as health and safety in the waste and resource management industry, managing the environmental impact of work activities and managing the movement, sorting and storage of waste. It’s a highly prized qualification and we’re thrilled that Sam has achieved his with flying colours. He’s a real asset to our business.

Sam joined S Roberts Group in 2016 as a Junior Contracts

Manager, progressing within a year to Contract Manager.

Vicky added: “With more than 12 years of experience in the licensed asbestos industry, ranging from analytical, laboratory, surveying, auditing and removals, Sam is highly skilled and qualified in every area, with an ethos for high standards and service being his, and our, number one priority.

“In December 2020, a challenging year, Sam stepped into the role of Asbestos and Operations Director, working closely with our clients, managers and our asbestos teams. He is determined to continually evolve, progress and improve the quality of work we’re known for within this industry and to give our customers the highest possible levels of service and support.”

S Roberts Group’s wealth of experience spans more than 90 years. It’s one of the south-west’s leading waste management companies. It provides specialist industry and geographical knowledge to advise commercial and domestic clients on the best possible waste solutions.

Based in Bridgwater, Somerset, the third-generation firm is run by Vicky and her sister Beccy Roberts, who took over the business from their father, Terry, in 2004.

The dedicated and friendly team work closely in partnership with clients to ensure health and safety standards are maintained and to deliver an efficient and environmentally conscious service.

S Roberts Group holds its environmental considerations and solutions at the core of its business and adheres to these when advising and making decisions on the management of waste, resources, emissions and transport.

Vicky added: “We were one of the first demolition companies in the west country to launch a specialist, licensed asbestos removal service. Sam’s involvement with this section of our business, since he joined us in 2016, has been substantial.”

S Roberts Group also offers skip, tipper and plant hire, bulk earth moving, grab hire, recycled aggregates and demolition services for domestic and commercial clients across the south-west.

Asbestos management in the UK

by James Dodgson

The UK continues to experience challenges when it comes to managing asbestos within buildings. Asbestos is the single largest cause of work-related fatalities in the UK, the presence of asbestos continues to pose a threat to the general public, with an average of 5,500 people a year dying of asbestos-related diseases. Despite the ban on the importation supply, and use of asbestos in November 1999, vast quantities of asbestos remain present inside public and private buildings. Six million tonnes of raw asbestos were imported into the UK, which translates to many more millions of tonnes of asbestos products when considering the fact that it is mixed with other materials. For example, asbestos cement is typically 15-40% asbestos content. It is estimated that asbestos containing materials can be found in over 1.5m UK buildings, including public spaces, such as hospitals and schools.

Individuals and organisations in charge of non-domestic buildings in the UK have a legal responsibility, set out within CAR 2012, to limit the health risks posed by asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Current UK

policy states that if asbestos is in a good condition and unlikely to be disturbed then it is not considered a significant health risk, as long as it remains properly managed.

Legislation

The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) came into force in 2012, updating and replacing the previous 2006 law. They contain requirements for work with asbestos, as well as information on the notification of work, designating areas where you are working on asbestos, medical surveillance, record keeping and ongoing awareness training.

In November 2019 think tank ResPublica, produced its report Don’t Breathe In: Bridging the Asbestos Safety Gap, which set out key areas where the UK falls behind its European counterparts in our asbestos risk management legislation.

This report prompted the UK government to launch an inquiry into the HSE’s approach to asbestos management in the UK. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) carried out the inquiry and issued a report outlining their findings and recommendations.

ATaC and NORAC Report

More recently, during 2022 both ATaC and NORAC joined forces to collate and rationalise data that had been collected by their members between October 2021 and March 2022. Over one million lines of data were analysed with the resulting report The First Annual Data Analysis Report Into Asbestos In UK Buildings summarising key findings in connection with the current extent and condition of asbestos within UK buildings. The ATaC/NORAC report outlined the following, which was put forward as evidence that the management of asbestos in the UK may require improvement:

• Of the 128,761 buildings inspected, 100,660 (78%) were found to contain asbestos,

• Within those 100,660 buildings, 710,433 items of asbestos were found,

• Out of the 710,433 items of asbestos, 507,612 (71%) were recorded as having some level of damage,

• Of the 507,612 damaged items, 120,629 (24%) would be classed as “licensable” work and require a specialist contractor.

While the government’s response to the Department for Work and Pensions inquiry suggests that a change to regulatory requirements is unlikely in the short term, there is an increasing weight of evidence to suggest that a more proactive approach to asbestos management may be beneficial in reducing the risk further.

EU exposure levels' effect on the UK

On 28 September 2022, the European Commission released protocols in line with addressing the ongoing asbestos epidemic.

In 2019, there were 70,000 deaths relating to asbestos in the EU – the approach discussed included a package of measures to improve communication, medical treatment and the removal/disposal of toxic waste, along with lowering the occupational exposure limit to asbestos.

In October 2021, the European Parliament voted for a new asbestos occupational exposure limit of 0.001 f/cm ³, however the 2022 proposal will only impose a limit of 0.01f/cm ³ once ratified, which is still ten times lower than the UK’s control limit. The new lower limit would bring all EU member states in line with lower limits currently in place in the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Germany.

With the UK’s exit from the European Union, the above changes will not directly affect legislation in the UK, however, asbestos professionals and lobbyists will remain interested in these developments on the continent, as they may provide further support for the case of UK based changes to asbestos management protocol.

How can SOCOTEC help?

SOCOTEC’s Asbestos team is on hand to ensure that your organisation is fully compliant when it comes to asbestos management. From air monitoring and project management to surveys and material identification, we offer your organisation a range of services to reduce the level of risk that asbestos poses on your premises.

Join us for our next Expert Webinar – Asbestos Management: are we doing enough? on Wednesday 26 April at 11 am. Go to www.socotec.co.uk/media/ news/asbestos-managementwebinar to register your interest.

SOCOTEC UK Ltd becomes UK’s no 1 in building control

Established in 2007, Quadrant Building Control is a market leading Approved Inspector that doubled in size from 2018 to 2021. It employs 140 surveyors and administrators and is licensed to undertake building control work in accordance with Part II of the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations 2010. Operating from its network of 16 offices nationwide, it has approved over 50,000 building regulations applications across England and Wales, using bespoke software to monitor each step of the inspection process.

Paul Knight, on behalf of the Quadrant board said: “The company has a proven track record and an enviable reputation for technical excellence in the building control field, serving clients from all residential, commercial and public sectors, with projects including new builds, extensions and refurbishments.

“Joining forces will allow us to demonstrate the capability and national consistency required in today’s ever demanding regulatory environment so that we can continue to provide clients with the best possible building control service. Our in-house training programme provides an attractive route for young talent to gain professional qualification and enter the industry.”

The second acquisition, Shore, was first established in 2002,

as a professional provider of consultancy services in relation to building control, health and safety, and construction design and management (CDM) regulations in both the commercial and residential sectors. The company, based in Essex, employs almost 40 surveyors and CDM consultants and covers any size of project from minor buildings works to complex multi-million-pound developments.

Kevin Savage, Managing Director of Shore said: “When you instruct Shore as your approved inspector or construction safety consultants, you can be assured that you are receiving a highquality service so that you can achieve reasonable compliance with building safety standards and regulations in both the commercial and residential markets. With the new combined SOCOTEC Building Control UK environment we have the platform to become the goto private sector building control body to assist the Building Safety Regulator. Our relatively young and talented management team is enthusiastic to participate in this challenge of developing leader in all parts of the building control UK market and expanding SOCOTEC’s engagement in the UK construction health and safety construction management sector.”

As approved inspectors, authorised by government to carry out building control on building works in England and Wales, both

companies are licensed by the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR).

Nicolas Detchepare, CEO of SOCOTEC UK said: “By acquiring Shore and Quadrant, SOCOTEC UK has become the leading company in the UK building control sector, and a major player within the building and real estate market, both in commercial and residential sectors. With this leading position, SOCOTEC UK will be able to provide a holistic approach, combining all building expertise, such as fire engineering, sustainability, structural engineering and building envelope, with significant expertise to support customers with the new safety bill requirements. Consequently, SOCOTEC will train more than 50 apprentices and recruit around 50 engineers each year in this area, and as the UK’s leading company in this sector, we will be able to attract and retain the best talent in the industry.”

Hervé Montjotin, CEO of the global SOCOTEC group added: “With this strategic move in the UK, we are confirming our strong belief in the UK economy and notably in the dynamism of the construction and infrastructure industries. SOCOTEC UK is now standing as the number one in building control in the UK, thus joining SOCOTEC in France, ranked number one as well in the country. The group is paving the way for international leadership in risk management and technical advice in the building and Infrastructure sectors, which is now within reach, with leading positions in Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain and a recognised professional services company in the USA as well.”

Multi-award-winning asbestos consultancy Acorn Analytical Services has celebrated the start of an exciting new chapter in its history with the opening of its fourth regional office, covering the West Midlands.

Located in Albrighton in Wolverhampton, the office provides an important base for the company in the region, serving clients in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Shropshire.

The opening of the office at Kingswood Business Park is a sign of the company’s significant investment in the area, which will lead to the creation of new jobs for skilled asbestos analysts and apprentices.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre and the Deputy Mayoress, Lynn Plant.

Speaking at the event, Acorn Regional Manager, Lewis Scott said:

Asbestos consultancy’s new regional office brings new jobs and investment to West Midlands

“Since opening in Northampton in 2013, Acorn Analytical Services has continued to go from strength to strength, supporting thousands of businesses, charities and organisations across the UK, helping to educate them about the hidden dangers of asbestos and giving them the information and support they need to ensure it is managed safely and efficiently.

“We have become a trusted partner in many of the communities we serve, helping to make public buildings including schools and hospitals safer, while continuing to raise awareness of mesothelioma – the cancer caused

by exposure to asbestos fibres, among members of the public.

“The opening of this new office marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Acorn enabling us to reach new communities across the West Midlands in need of our support, and will allow us to forge strong, new relationships with businesses across the region.”

Congratulating the team from Acorn Analytical Services on their continued success, Councillor Dr Hardacre said: “Your commitment and dedication to the asbestos industry in the UK is to be commended and we are particularly impressed with your

investment in our region which will create much-needed, skilled jobs and apprenticeships.

“We wish you well in all your endeavours but particularly in the work you do to help make our city safer – protecting people from the dangers of asbestos and mesothelioma, which we understand can affect anyone.

“Through your work, you are helping to put the city of Wolverhampton on the map and building strong relationships within our business community. We look forward to watching your business grow and we wish you every success for the future.”

Casella launches enhanced 620 sound level meter

Product aims to protect workers from noiseinduced hearing loss (NIHL)

Global occupational hygiene and workplace hazard monitoring expert, Casella, has launched its enhanced 620 sound level meter to help protect more workers from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

The new device offers significant upgrades over its predecessor, providing users with a greater understanding of noise in the workplace and easier, faster ways to record measurement data.

More than 170,000 people in the UK suffer from NIHL, tinnitus or other acoustic trauma conditions as a direct result of excessive exposure at work. Eliminating noise at the source is always the first step to reduce the risk of NIHL and this can be achieved by using a sound level meter to measure noise, obtain concrete data and highlight key areas for change.

Casella’s latest enhanced 620 sound level meter features time history profiling, enabling

operators to see how noise has varied over a set period ranging from one second to 30 minutes. This provides a greater understanding of a workplace’s noise climate and the tasks that need to be controlled to manage workplace noise. The time history can be further analysed when downloaded, to perform “what if” calculations on the effect of noise exposure when certain activities or noisy events are removed, ensuring more workers can receive optimal protection.

The enhanced 620 sound level meter also offers voice notes, allowing recordings to be taken at the start of a measurement run, saving time and effort taking manual notes. The voice notes can be played back once the data has been downloaded to a PC so that the information can be easily referenced. The marketing-leading feature allows

for up to 33 hours of audio storage and the device can store nearly 1,000 measurements up to 24 hours each, even with one second profiles, giving operators confidence that there will be sufficient memory without having to delete results on the go.

“We're thrilled to be launching the enhanced 620 sound level meter, which represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing industryleading noise measurement solutions,” said Tim Turney, Global Marketing Manager at Casella.

“The number of workers affected by NIHL is alarming and employers have a crucial responsibility to protect workers’ health from being damaged. With the right measures in place, more workers can avoid preventable but irreversible damage to their hearing and ensure they continue to perform their best.”

(NES) Asbestos Ltd are a family run company set up in 2011, with over 25 years’ experience within the industry. This proves an invaluable source of knowledge for us to draw upon. With an excellent management structure and dedicated staff, we are able to cater for every client requirement nationwide.

Our growing reputation for providing a friendly and professional service within the asbestos removal industry demonstrates our lasting relationship with our existing and new clients with repeat works. Our number one priority is the need of our clients and to carry out the safe removal of asbestos always.

Asbestos analyst named UK’s rising star in National Apprenticeship Week

A young apprentice from Northampton is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week this week after winning a prestigious national award.

Jake Newell, an asbestos analyst at multi award-winning, Northampton-based asbestos consultancy Acorn Analytical Services, is the winner of Safety and Health Practitioner’s Rising Star

UK award, which recognises the brightest young health and safety professionals in the UK.

Since joining Acorn Analytical Services in 2021, Jake has impressed everyone around him with his selfless dedication and commitment to his role. His presence has been described as “a breath of fresh air through the industry" as he takes every opportunity to develop his

skills while educating others about the dangers of asbestos.

Jake said: “It means so much to me to receive this award and to work with such an amazing team at Acorn – we’re like one big family.

“Winning the award has really helped to boost my confidence and I’m really grateful to have been given this amazing opportunity.

“Learning more about asbestos has definitely changed the way I look at things. I was really surprised to learn how many different products contain asbestos. When I’m at home now or visiting my friends, I’m looking around for asbestos and pointing it out to them. When you learn about asbestos you want to share that knowledge with others.”

Director, Ian Stone said he was delighted with Jake’s success and the significant progress he has been in a short space of time. “We work hard at Acorn to create an environment where our staff, and particularly our apprentices, can develop and thrive.

“From day one Jake has been inspiring. He always wants to know more and fully understand the subject area. He consistently goes above and beyond his duties to complete his work. When he is training, he always put in extra hours in evenings and weekends of study.

“As his confidence and knowledge grows, he is willing to share it with everyone around him, whether that’s friends, family, clients or colleagues.

“He is raising awareness of asbestos among a new generation –many of whom were not even born when asbestos was banned in new buildings more than 20 years ago.

“The impact of Jake’s hard work and dedication may not be fully understood for many years to come but there is no doubt in our minds that the work he is doing now will save lives in the future.”

Jake Newell, Asbestos Analyst at Acorn Analytical Services with his Rising Star UK award

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