Posts Tagged ‘asbestos survey’
Welsh hospital under further asbestos-management scrutiny
The Welsh Government has launched an independent review into the management of asbestos at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.
The hospital failed to implement effective controls to manage asbestos after a survey in 2004 found the substance in stairwells and lift shafts. The unsafe practices, which required maintenance workers to operate in these areas, continued until 2009, when they were quickly identified by the hospital’s new Health Board and reported to the HSE.
However, the HSE was powerless to pursue a prosecution over the asbestos breaches because of a legislative error, which failed to ensure that issues of previous corporate criminal responsibility were transferred to the Hywel Dda Local Health Board when it was created – along with six others – in 2009, as part of NHS reforms in Wales.
The chief executive of NHS Wales, David Sissling, has now commissioned an independent review into the management of asbestos at the hospital, so that lessons can be learned for the wider organisation. The review will be undertaken alongside the ongoing investigation by the HSE and the internal inquiry by the Health Board.
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Asbestos campaigners launch asbestos awareness survey in conjunction with UKAS
British asbestos campaigners have today launched a national survey exploring general awareness and understanding of asbestos in buildings and the regulations designed to protect UK workers from being exposed to asbestos in their workplace.
The survey can be taken here:
The Great British Asbestos in Buildings Survey 2011
The survey has been developed in conjunction with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) the organisation that currently accredits over 100 asbestos inspection bodies to carry out asbestos surveys. Known as the Great British Asbestos in Buildings Survey 2011, the survey will be promoted across all industries via the UK’s leading trade associations and trade unions, membership organisations and industry institutions. Tradesmen, building occupiers, dutyholders, clients, FM’s, property managers of non-domestic buildings will be encouraged to take the survey.
According to the HSE, asbestos is responsible for an estimated 4000 deaths each year and is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Results are expected to give an insight into awareness of the Duty to Manage Asbestos and highlight areas for raising awareness of the risks of asbestos in the workplace.
The Survey has the backing of high profile asbestos campaigners across the UK. Annette Brooke MP and Chair of the Asbestos in Schools Group welcomed the survey:
“This survey is a welcome step in the right direction. It is so vital that we highlight the dangers surrounding asbestos and I hope that participation in this survey is as wide as possible. ”
John Richards, Managing Director of analytical and surveying firm, Thames Laboratories said:
“With recent public sector funding cuts and the Government’s review of Health and Safety, we are concerned that this important subject maybe overlooked. Currently in the UK, more people are dying from asbestos exposure than in road accidents and yet our approach to asbestos still ranges from apathy to paranoia.
Recent conflicting reports produced from ATAC and HSE, and the issues of low level asbestos exposure, have led to the development of this research project, aimed at establishing what is really happening”.
Jon Murthy, Marketing & Communications Manager at UKAS said:
“This is the first industry initiative of its kind in which UKAS has participated and we hope to see this repeated annually to measure what improvements are happening within the asbestos sector. UKAS will play its role by ensuring the questionnaire is circulated to as many individuals as possible, from all industry sectors, via Unions, Trade Associations, Industry Institutions and Membership Organisations”.
The survey results will be published in a report in the summer 2011 via the campaign website www.asbestosinspectionbodies.co.uk and should highlight the issues arising from the most comprehensive review of the subject to date.
Firm fined over asbestos breaches
A building firm has been fined for breaching asbestos laws while demolishing a disused church in Kent.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into the demolition works being carried out in Snodland following a complaint from a member of the public.
The site was owned by Bernard Berry of Berry Estates Development Limited, which was also clearing the site, Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard.
The court was told that principal contractor Mr Berry could not provide paperwork for a demolition plan or a risk assessment. In addition, no asbestos survey had been completed.
An HSE investigation showed that the building was being knocked into pedestrian areas and broken up with an excavator. It showed no evidence of employee training, no personal protection or respiratory equipment and no plan of work on site. It also revealed no provision to prevent dust spreading during demolition and crushing.
Berry Estates Development Limited, of Maidstone, Kent, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations. It was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,391.
Company director Mr Berry pleaded guilty to breaching the same regulations. He was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,391.
Source: Claims Management
The UKAS Accredited Asbestos Inspection Bodies blog is an information portal developed by the UKAS Accredited Asbestos Inspection Firms listed on this site. For more information about asbestos surveys, subscribe to our RSS newsfeed here. Alternatively, you can subscribe to AIB Blog by Email or follow us on Twitter @UKAS_AIB
Asbestos find closes school
A SCHOOL hall has been closed after deadly asbestos was discovered during a routine survey.
The asbestos was found at Westacre Middle School, Ombersley Way, Droitwich, on Tuesday, February 1.
A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: “Maintaining the health and well-being of pupils and staff at the school is our highest priority, which is why the decision has been made to temporarily close the school hall to allow the asbestos to be removed.
“We have arranged for a specialist contractor to start work at the school as soon as possible. We envisage that work will take approximately six weeks to complete.
During this time, there will be no disruption to the pupils’ learning.”
Source: Worcester News
The UKAS Accredited Asbestos Inspection Bodies blog is an information portal developed by the UKAS Accredited Asbestos Inspection Firms listed on this site. For more information from accredited asbestos surveyors, subscribe to our RSS newsfeed here.
Alternatively, you can subscribe to AIB Blog by Email or follow us on Twitter @UKAS_AIB
