Working Together To Improve Construction Health & Safety
Working Together To Improve Construction Health & Safety
Asbestos was once extensively used in both domestic and commercial construction in the UK, with an estimated 10 million tonnes of raw Asbestos having been imported into the UK. The fact is Asbestos has many impressive qualities, it’s a good electrical insulator, it’s very strong, a very good fire and sound insulator and chemically inert, however, if Asbestos fibres are released and inhaled, it can cause irreversible respiratory problems, lung cancer, asbestosis or mesothelioma.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, it is estimated that around 5,000 deaths each year are attributed to those who have been previous exposure to Asbestos fibres.
At Marpal, our professionally trained Asbestos Management Team can help you manage the risk of exposure by identifying Asbestos on your site and assessing the level of risk, to either manage or conduct safe removal.
We offer a range of Asbestos Management Services all aimed at identifying and reducing risk.
Depending on the age of your building or structure, the key phase in the management of Asbestos is to identify the location, type, condition and extent of any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs). Marpal can accomplish this by carrying out an Asbestos Survey. The type of survey conducted will be dependent upon the nature and the activities being carried out, or the proposed activities within your premises.
There are two types of survey:
Every commercial building built before 1999, must have had an Asbestos Management Survey undertaken; check and make sure you’re compliant!
All our Asbestos Surveyors are P402 qualified and all Asbestos Surveys are carried out in accordance with HSG264 (Asbestos: The Survey Guide).
An Asbestos Survey Report will be prepared following each survey. The report will assist the building owner/occupier to manage Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) in their premises. Where ACM’s are identified we will include recommended remedial actions to be undertaken to mitigate any risks to those occupying the premises.
Your duties don’t end once an Asbestos Management Survey has been carried out, there is then a duty to manage the asbestos containing materials that have been identified.
As part of our services we will prepare an Asbestos Management Plan. The overall aim is that all asbestos containing materials, through inspections, re-inspections, remedial or removal works are effectively managed and risks of exposure reduced.
Our typical Asbestos Management Plans will contain the following information: –
We will prepare a property specific Asbestos Management Plan ensuring that you comply with your duty to manage Asbestos!
Once you have identified the presence of Asbestos within our building and you have developed your Asbestos Management Plan, then there is the duty to ensure that any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) remain in a good condition.
Marpal will carry out periodic re-inspections at every property where ACM’s are known to be present, to ensure that they have not been disturbed and are still in a safe condition. During each re-inspection, the Asbestos Surveyor will complete an Asbestos Management Re-inspection Form and provide details of any recommendations (i.e. a recommendation for repair, encapsulation or removal).
Following each re inspection, the Asbestos Management Plan is then updated accordingly.
Regular checks are essential for managing known Asbestos on your premises, the frequency of Re inspections will dependent upon the location and use of the building!
Should a potential contamination be identified due to the release of Asbestos fibres during an Asbestos Management Survey, an Asbestos Re inspection or simply during normal occupancy, the building manager/owner will be notified immediately and access to the affected area restricted.
Marpal will assist with the project management of any Asbestos abatement works from the initial planning phase right through to completion, ensuring that the works are carried out safely, efficiently with minimal disruption, in accordance with current legislation and that all certification has been provided and records updated as necessary.
You can rely on our expertise, we can take away the burden of any potential Asbestos contamination!
Marpal provide a comprehensive ½ day Asbestos Awareness Course for those who are liable to disturb Asbestos while carrying out their normal everyday work, or who may influence how work is carried out.
Our course is aimed at any professional or trades man, including:
The benefit to you – In the course of their work, many construction professionals are likely to come across Asbestos. It is critical that when this happens your team are fully equipped to know what to do to avoid potentially contamination and to ensure continuation of the project as soon as possible.
Check and make sure that tradesmen you employ have received Asbestos Awareness Training; being unaware of the risks associated with Asbestos could put them and your occupants at risk!
Every business will benefit from a simple and well thought out strategy for managing Asbestos. This is our approach when working with you.
Our Asbestos Survey Reports are clear and comprehendible and our Asbestos Management Plans are concise and easy to work with. Once these are in place, it’s simply down to managing any Asbestos containing materials through regular re inspections and ensuring that those working on, or responsible for, a building or structure, receive Asbestos Awareness training and refresher training, typically every 2-3 years.
All are Surveyors are P402 trained and work in accordance with HSG 264 “Surveying, Sampling and Assessment of Asbestos Containing Materials”.
Why not leave your compliance in capable hands, we employ highly experienced Asbestos Surveyors who will ensure that you are compliant
Get in touch with our team of professional Asbestos Surveyors today and reduce the risk of exposure to Asbestos. For a no obligation quote, give us a call 01332 668877 or send us an email through our online contact form.
