Asbestos Audit - September 2024

Welcome to the September 2024 edition of our e-newsletter. This month’s edition is packed full of insights from the Asbestos Management and Remediation?section of the Environmental Services Industry.

Read on to learn more.

Company and Director Fined for Asbestos Exposure

A company called Eye Track Limited and its director, Selcuk Pinarbasi, were sentenced for exposing workers to asbestos during demolition work in Manchester. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found significant amounts of asbestos-containing materials across the site, including large amounts of debris from demolished asbestos-containing roof sheets. Key points of the case:

• Eye Track Limited was fined ￡20,000 and ordered to pay ￡18,783.61 in costs.
• Selcuk Pinarbasi received a 20-week suspended custodial sentence, was fined ￡75,000, and ordered to pay ￡18,783.61 in costs.
• The HSE inspector emphasized that this case highlights how such behaviour will not be tolerated, as lives were deliberately put at risk by prioritising profits over safety.

Concerns Rise About UK's Asbestos Risk Management

There are growing concerns about the UK falling behind Europe in asbestos risk management, particularly in schools and hospitals. Some key points include:

• Asbestos-related diseases account for more than 5,000 premature deaths in Britain each year.
• The European Union has recently amended its directive, reducing the occupational exposure limit for asbestos from 0.1 f/cm3 to 0.01 f/cm3.
• It remains to be seen how the UK will respond to these changes post-Brexit.

The UK faces significant health challenges related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related diseases account for over 5,000 deaths per year in Britain. In 2022, nearly 2,257 people died from mesothelioma, with a similar number of lung cancer deaths linked to past asbestos exposures. This is a slight decrease from 2290 deaths in 2021.

A contract to support health and safety on the iconic Tyne Bridge, which is currently undergoing significant restoration, was undertaken by a Asbestos Audit Ltd.

Asbestos Audit has played a crucial role in the early stages of the Tyne Bridge restoration project, working alongside main contractor Esh Construction. The team conducted building surveys and compliance testing on the bridge's towers to ensure regulatory standards were met before major upgrades began.

The Tyne Bridge restoration, funded by the UK Government, Newcastle City Council, and Gateshead Council, aims to complete over 900 repairs, including work on steel, concrete, stonework, and drainage, to preserve this iconic landmark for future generations. The project will span four years, with scaffolding installed in 20 phases to maintain the bridge's load capacity while keeping traffic and pedestrian access open.

How can Asbestos Audit help?

The Asbestos Audit management team can talk you through every step of the survey process ensuring you are compliant with the current Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. We offer practical impartial asbestos and safety advice to clients large and small.

The Asbestos Audit team works in partnership with building owners, duty holders, and site managers for commercial, industrial, and domestic buildings to ensure compliance and safety at all times.

We cover the whole of the UK and further afield where required.

Our asbestos survey costs include all samples, site inspection by trained surveyors, full reports to HSG-264, and any associated recommendations and consultancy. All works are fully quoted, and costs are confirmed before we come to the site.

Our teams can assist with any of the following asbestos-related works -

Asbestos Surveys near me

Asbestos Removal near me

Asbestos Sampling near me

Asbestos in Soils

Re-inspection and maintenance near me

If you would like further information on our range of surveys and consultancy. Please contact your local office or click below to get in touch

If you're interested in learning more about Asbestos check out our blog posts here or if you're working somewhere where asbestos exposure might be a concern, contact us for emergency response.