Despite the years of concern about asbestos in buildings, there is still a significant number of buildings in both the private and the public sector that still have asbestos within them. Today, the legislation regarding its removal means that only a small number of specifically approved companies are able to tackle this hazardous task.
One such company is Asbestos Abatement Services of Walsall. Gerard Maguire, the present Managing Director has been in the industry for more than 35 years, having previously spent time working for three of the largest companies managing a wide variety of projects working in UK, Europe and the Far East. He is a former governing council member of the Asbestos Removal Contractors’ Association (ARCA) and still serves on the membership and audit committee; he also served on the CITB panel that formulated the NVQ syllabus for the industry.
The MD Gerard Maguire says “We instil in all our staff a proactive approach to Health and Safety. Consultation is a major part of our strategy to ensure a First Class Health & Safety Culture is created”
The Company has achieved external recognition of its work procedures and holds ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 which cover management, environmental and Health and Safety procedures. The company have achieved the Gold Training Award from ARCA and have received the highest scores during training.
Jamie Purdon, Technical Officer says, “In addition to our head office in Walsall, we also have an office in Burbage near Hinckley. Our staff is equipped to work anywhere in the UK, they are experienced teams working under professional and extremely competent supervisors. They are fully trained, CSCS certified and are all CRB checked.
I am responsible for asbestos surveys under HSE Guidance 264 which include management and demolition / refurbishment surveys. I also undertake and issue site specific method statements, risk and COSHH assessments for notifiable asbestos removal, Currently I am managing several contracts from residential housing to demolition projects.
For large projects, the Company employs a Certified waste contractor who will deliver a special asbestos removal skip which, when full will be taken to a hazardous waste transfer facility and then to the appropriate landfill site. For smaller projects the Company has its own compartmentalised vehicle, which is certified to be able to carry the asbestos waste to the processing site.
Jamie adds, “Some of these contracts require the use of some very innovative methods to achieve a safe and cost effective solution to some very difficult and emotive asbestos removal projects. This is particularly important when working in live areas, for example Asbestos Abatement Services is involved in the complete refurbishment of a large council building by another contractor. The building is full of asbestos and a great deal of work was necessary to ensure the complete safety of those working in the building while the asbestos was being removed.
Jamie finishes by saying that the Company makes a considerable investment in staff training, with operatives typically spending 12-16 days per year on different courses. “All of our asbestos specific training is done through ARCA and everyone is involved from board level through to office and site staff. This is an essential aspect of our business.”
For further information please telephone 01922 644712 or visit www.asbestosonline.co.uk
