Our approach is to provide a total solution to asbestos management beginning with an accurate building survey, which should be the cornerstone of your compliance strategy. We will then undertake Asbestos Management Surveys and Refurbishment/Demolition Surveys in accordance with HSE guidance HSG264 (January 2010) – ‘Asbestos: The survey guide’. Our reports are clear with practical guidance and recommendations for action, backed up with CAD generated plans.
On your behalf we will implement and record your ongoing ACM re-inspection regime – outsourcing this crucial element of asbestos management reduces the impact on your own resources and insurance costs. With a wide ranging client base we have extensive experience of building types and can provide bespoke Asbestos Management Plans for your business.
In addition our project management consultants can specify, tender and manage asbestos abatement projects, giving you independent, one-stop piece of mind for these sensitive projects. Keeping all this information up to date and available is a challenge to all businesses and in particular those with a property portfolio.
Types of Asbestos Management
Asbestos removal and remediation are deemed to be so specialist that those contractors undertaking the work need to be licensed by the Health and Safety Executive. However this doesn’t always provide the necessary safeguards.
The removal contractor often specifies and designs the work processes. This means that the client is reliant on the contractor to use its own practices and employ its own specialists to certificate the work. The Health and Safety Executive strongly recommends that independent monitoring is undertaken on asbestos abatement projects to ensure compliance with all existing requirements and avoid the problems associated with contractors employing these ‘independent’ organisations.
West Four is able to provide detailed assistance in all aspects of asbestos project management, from tender preparation and adjudication, through to monitoring of the contract to ensure compliance with the project specification.
For many employers, the management of asbestos presents numerous challenges and poses many difficult questions. What should I do? How do I control my asbestos? How do I advise others of asbestos on my sites?
Asbestos management for many organisations is a complex process fraught with problems and issues. We are able to help by drawing on our own extensive knowledge, the experiences of our numerous clients and our understanding developed from our close liaison with key decision making groups. This allows us to ensure that our clients benefit from the right approach and have in place the correct strategy for managing asbestos.
WestFour’s systems management processes range from the development of asbestos surveying strategies through to fulfilling the staff training requirements necessary under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations.
An asbestos survey represents only partial compliance with the regulations. The development of asbestos management plans are essential in controlling asbestos risk.
West Four has great experience of drawing up and implementing asbestos management plans. We are able to produce bespoke plans and strategies for all types of organisations. Where asbestos issues are identified we have the capacity to plan and manage appropriate responses, whether this is the treatment or removal of asbestos, or focused training of personnel.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires that the condition of asbestos-based products needs to be inspected regularly and records updated accordingly. The frequency of the asbestos inspection regime must not exceed 12 months.
Asbestos re-inspection surveys are designed to allow a competent person to monitor and record the condition of any previously identified asbestos products within a building.
Over time, asbestos-based products can degenerate, weather or be accidentally damaged thereby causing the risks associated with the material to change substantially. Additionally, the approved code of practice requires the asbestos management plan to be reviewed every six months. We can advise on or supply efficient methods for complying with this requirement.
The new and updated asbestos survey report itself will include new photographs of those materials together with a new recommendation on how to safely manage those materials.
All of West Fours’ Surveyors are competent in carrying out Asbestos Re-inspections.