For 20 years Solent Environmental has served the public and private sectors in large and small projects to create safer, healthier asbestos free living and working conditions.
The health hazards of exposure to asbestos were finally taken seriously over 30 years ago. When Solent Environmental Services started their work on the handling and safe disposal of asbestos a decade later the industry was in its formative years and the firm helped develop procedures and processes to contain the potential health and environmental damage of the material.
Asbestos was extensively used in buildings from the 1930s until the mid 1970’s. It was, prior to the mid-1970’s, a material that was demolished and disposed of in much the same way as other building materials with no thought or concern for the dangers it presented.
Nowadays the detection, demolition, monitoring and safe disposal of asbestos are specialised activities. They are (and should be) highly regulated processes only undertaken by expert contractors.
As leading contractors in asbestos abatement, Solent Environmental Services offers fully accredited expertise; right the way through from asbestos samples, surveys and site management to licensed asbestos removal and disposal including air monitoring.
“We pride ourselves in offering a professional service and looking after our clients’ individual needs,” says Business Development Manager, Ian White.
“If you have asbestos on site, but it’s in good condition, there is no need for it to be removed, provided that it is managed correctly. In other words, the client needs to make his workforce and maintenance contractors aware of its existence and exact location.”
All buildings built, modified or refurbished before 2000 require an asbestos survey and also a plan on how the asbestos is to be managed which needs to be regularly monitored and updated. Failure to undertake these could result in prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive.
“It’s estimated that about 90% of commercial buildings do not have asbestos surveys,” says Ian, “This is mostly because building owners are not aware of their duty to do so. They are required by law to have their building surveyed for the existence of asbestos and, if found, to put in to place a management plan.”
Located in Southampton, Solent Environmental Services cover southern England which covers Cornwall to Kent, although they do travel further afield for certain clients. Recent work includes a £250,000 contract for the demolition and asbestos removal at Midhurst College, West Sussex for Balfour Beatty, who have also contracted them for an upcoming job at Littlehampton College, West Sussex. Both projects are part of the Building Schools for the Future Scheme.
Their purpose built Waste Transfer Station deals with over 100 tonnes of asbestos each year collecting material from the smaller project sites. This waste is then delivered in bulk to landfill (there is no current cost-effective method of recycling asbestos). This helps reduce transport and fuel costs, savings which are then passed on to the client.
Solent’s success is down to hard work and a ‘never give up’ attitude, says Ian. “We are always going the extra mile for our clients, large or small. It’s all about giving 110% performance these days.”
For more information contact Solent Environmental Services on: 023 8089 9932 or visit their website: www.solentenvironmental.co.uk.
