Asbestos Knowledge Empire

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss what do you do if you don’t have the budget to sort out your asbestos problems? If you haven’t got the budget, here's some points to consider: Assess the risk Can you lock off / isolate the areas Restrict all access and permit to work areas Plan removal / remedials in budget for next year Get an asbestos consultant on board early to help in managing ongoing Undertake air monitoring, completed regularly to show the areas are safe and not being disturbed

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the 3 things you need to know that highlight you’ve hired the wrong asbestos consultants. You may have hired the wrong asbestos consultant if… You have to babysit them They’ve got their own interest at heart They don’t know your systems

In this episode, Neil and Ian interview Cassandra Fernandez who is a Senior Hazardous Materials Consultant based in Sydney Australia. Cassandra shares here views and experiences surrounding the asbestos industry in Australia.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the requirements surrounding non asbestos trades entering asbestos enclosures. From time to time there may be a requirement for other trades to enter asbestos enclosures to complete works. This could be in an emergency to or to repair services to enable the asbestos works to be completed. These trades will be required to be satisfactory competency to complete this safely.  

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss how you can take advantage of the potential slow down face by the corona virus.

In this week's episode, Neil and Ian answer the question... Can the protective equipment you use for asbestos works be used for Coronavirus? And the answer is no, but why to be use the equipment we use with asbestos. In summary they cover: Under the law, RPE is the last line of protection. HSG53 Respiratory protective equipment at work specifies Employers have a legal responsibility under all the Regulations to control substances hazardous to health in your workplace Work activities may result in harmful substances contaminating the air in the form of dust, mist, vapour, gas or fume   The two main types of RPE are respirators and breathing apparatus:  1. Respirators (filtering devices) use filters to remove contaminants from the air being breathed in. They can be either: a. Pon-powered respirators – relying on the wearer’s breathing to draw air through the filter; or  b. Powered respirators – using a motor to pass air through the filter to give a supply of clean air. 2. Breathing apparatus needs a supply of b

Nick Garland: Neil & Ian Interview asbestos and health & safety expert Nick Garland. With nearly thirty years’ experience under his belt, Nick provides health and safety management advice, asbestos audit, expert witness testimony, competence and compliance systems to the asbestos and construction industry. He holds a post graduate degree in health, safety and environmental management from Portsmouth University and has completed NEBOSH H&S qualifications as well as numerous professional project management courses.  In 2014 Nick systemised his innovative approach to H&S in the asbestos industry and launched Assure360.  www.assure360.co.uk Twitter - @NickGarland360

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the importance of thinking about asbestos first before purchasing a property. Asbestos should be top of your due diligence list whenever considering the purchase of a property. This will not only help you consider if the property is fit for your use, but could also save you thousands if identified at the right stage of the process. Find out what you need to know in this episode.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the issues surrounding asbestos works which involve working in hot environments. Hot working Examples: Boiler rooms, ducts and confined spaces, Attics in summer, Working outside in summer e.g. polyethene enclosures next to glazing, Issues around enclosures failing (falling down) Additional hot risks within:  steam pipes, heating pipes which also bring a risk of serious burns from first degree where only the outer layer of the skin is affected up to fourth degree burns where burns go through the layers of the skin and affect the deeper tissue affecting the muscle and bone  Issues around operatives working temperatures What’s too hot and how do you work around this? Normal body temperature is between 36.1°C to 37.2°C. If it rises above 38°C, something serious is going wrong.   What are the effects of heat stress? Heat stress can affect individuals in different ways, and some people are more susceptible to it than others. Typical symptoms are: an inability to concentrate mus

To mark the 50th episode, Neil and Ian look at some of the key points from the last 50 episodes. Covering all the key elements of asbestos management. Highlight episodes include: Asbestos Emergencies - What to do Specifications for asbestos removal works, what’s the point? How do you get the right asbestos contractor? How do you get the right asbestos surveyor? Asbestos Management Surveys Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys Asbestos Material Risk Assessments & Priority Risk Assessments 20 Year Anniversary and Latest Statistics

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss is PVA a suitable material to use as an encapsulant? What is PVA? Polyvinyl Acetate - best known as wood glue, white glue, carpenter's glue, school glue. A number of microorganisms can degrade polyvinyl acetate. Most commonly, damage is caused by filamentous fungi—however algae, yeasts, lichens, and bacteria can also degrade polyvinyl acetate. Find out the reasons why they don’t recommend it’s use as an encapsulant.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss points surrounding the risks and highlight points to consider when undertaking asbestos removal works within lofts. Points to consider: Occupants below Decanting during the works or for longer periods, issues the client faces for rehousing office workers Risks carrying out the work Working tethers Fall arrest systems Restrictions in gaining access e.g. if the tether is to the main beam how can they reach the sides of the apex Working platforms and boarding out the lofts Gaining access to the pitch in the loft space – towers in the loft Fall arrest requirements below I netting?  Can be negated by use of tethers to tools and equipment Issues around if there is a breach how can this be contained, and the rooms cleaned? Will the area be asbestos free at the end of the works? Depends on voids – can they be fully cleaned Can all surfaces be cleaned or will they need encapsulating? How any asbestos remaining may affect the future works e.g. fixing into the ceiling?

In this episode Neil and Ian talk through the information required between the asbestos surveyor and Client. Covering: Information the surveyor needs from the client Details of buildings or parts of buildings to be surveyed and survey type(s). Details of building(s) use, processes, hazards, priority areas. Plans, documents, reports and surveys on design, structure and construction. Safety and security information: fire alarm testing, special clothing areas (eg food production). Access arrangements and permits. Contacts for operational or health and safety issues. Information the client/dutyholder should expect from the surveyor Surveyor(s) identity, qualifications, accreditation or certification status, quality control procedures. References from previous work. Insurance (professional indemnity cover). Proposed scope of work. Plan of work, including plans for sampling or asbestos disturbance. Details of caveats. Report, including areas not accessed/not surveyed.

In today's episode Neil and Ian talk through the asbestos management journey. If you’re a Property Manager or Duty Holder who needs to get a grip of your asbestos, this is the episode for you. The principles of the asbestos management journey covered: Desktop Surveys Assess Risk Management Plan Actions Inspect & Review This episode has been filmed and is available on Youtube.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the current issue surrounding Brexit related to the asbestos industry. With the slowdown in the economy they’ve identified that some clients are holding off sending money on sorting out their asbestos problems.

In this episode Neil and Ian talk about asbestos insulating board and problems that can be encountered during its removal.

In this episode Neil and Ian talk about asbestos sprayed coatings and problems that can be encountered during its removal.

In this episode Neil and Ian mark the 20th year anniversary of the final asbestos ban in the UK and review the latest statistics surrounding asbestos related diseases.

Today’s podcast is from a slightly different angle.  Neil and Ian are talking all about Health and Safety with an interview of John Crockett (IMaPS, SIIRSM RSP, ACIOB) who is the health and safety manager at Acorn.  They discuss about how Johns career has developed and the changes he’s seen over his long time in the industry.  John gives advice on what he’s seeing on a daily basis and how to combat these issues, plus the no1 thing that clients need to know about health and safety.  Plus a whole host of other chat in and around health and safety and asbestos.

In this episode Neil and Ian interview Robin Bennett founding Director of Start Software. Robin provides a real insight to how asbestos software has advanced over the last 20 years and where it’s going. Robin Bennett is the founding director at Start Software and has been creating asbestos systems for 20 years.  The designer of SAM, Tracker and the market-leading Alpha Tracker systems, he has worked with most of the leading asbestos consultancies in the UK, Australia & New Zealand.  Start Software’s offices in Adelaide (South Australia) and Telford (West Midlands, UK) enable them to support and sell Alpha Tracker around the world to all sizes and types of organisation with an interest in asbestos. Links to your website and social media sites UK: www.start-software.com Aus/NZ: www.alpha-tracker.com.au  blog: http://blog.start-software.com  Twitter: @startsoftware @alpha_tracker