A look back at 2023

We don’t always look back at the previous year, but 2023 is one that demands a bit of reflection. In particular, writes Nick Garland, we’ll need to carry forward its spirit of innovation to embrace the new personal exposure guidance and the EU’s Asbestos at Work Directive .

It’s asbestos, not just RAAC that schools need to be concerned about

The announcement from the government that multiple schools will have to close or partially close due to the long known presence of RAAC has further ramifications.

Celebrating our 15,000th audit

We’ve recorded the 15,000th audit on the Assure360 system - a huge milestone in our small industry. Nick Garland reflects on why we’ve become the industry-leading solution, trusted by in-house and external auditors alike.

Summing up the ACAD awards dinner and golf day

The annual ACAD golf day and awards dinner has been and gone. From perfect weather and great golf to an entertaining and thought-provoking evening, here’s our roundup of the day.

A look ahead to 2022

It’s a new year and, hopefully, one in which we’ll finally learn to master the pandemic. With the promise of things returning closer to normal, here’s what we’re looking forward to in 2022.

Female analysts and four-stage clearance testing – the need for change

Does the asbestos industry have a problem with women? Colette Willoughby’s FAAM talk was a powerful and - frankly - shaming indictment of the everyday sexism and serious incidents that still happen today.

FAAM conference review – useful, compelling, and more thought-provoking than ever

Despite running virtually for the second year running, the FAAM asbestos conference managed to reach new highs - and uncover new lows. Immensely interesting, thought-provoking - and ultimately disturbing - we look at the highlights.

FAAM conference preview – don’t miss it!

This year’s FAAM Conference will - like last year - be fully virtual. But with a two-day programme bristling with quality speakers, it’s still unmissable. Here, Nick picks out his highlights.

Relicensing, and the importance of external audits

Any healthy auditing system should comprise a balance of internal and external audits, but with a limited budget, the HSE is increasingly reliant on audit evidence to back up its electronic licensing system. We look at the importance of audits, and the need for more quality independents to enter the fray.

The Contamination Expo, and the long road to events as normal

We were looking forward to the Contamination Expo, and Nick giving his talk on the four-hour time-weighted average, but Covid had other plans. Here’s our roundup, with another chance to see the virtual presentation.

Probing the subtleties of the new Analysts’ Guide

We’ve already covered many of the big changes in the HSE’s updated Analysts’ Guide, but look long enough and you’ll spot other, subtle changes with surprisingly big effects. Nick Garland continues his analysis.

Moving on from Covid’s darkest days

It’s been a long and difficult 18 months since Covid first appeared. We’re not out of the woods yet, but in this post we look at some of the positives, and anticipate happier, more prosperous times.

Defining the environmental clean

The so-called ‘environmental clean’ has long been open to abuse: too often used as a way to cut corners. But now the HSE’s Asbestos Network Technical Working Group is moving to define the term. Nick Garland examines what’s changing.

The rise of the independent auditor

Enforcing and evidencing the digital licensing regime demands boots on the ground, but Health and Safety Executive is hamstrung by its budget. The conditions are likely to create a new generation of independent auditors - Nick Garland explains how Assure360 can support them.

Enforcement visits – without teeth, can the HSE clamp down on Covid infringements?

Employers need to provide a safe workplace, even during Covid-19. But with the HSE struggling with budgetary constraints, and seemingly reluctant to take strong enforcement action, are employers getting away with risking their workers’ lives?

Assure360 Audit 3.0 – announcing the latest update to the Assure360 system

Assure360 Audit was the beginning of the Assure360 system, and embodies all the experience of our team and our wider health and safety user base. After updates to Incident and Paperless, we’re excited to announce the imminent release of Audit 3.0 - read on for more details.

Coping with Covid – how we can help

The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to remain with us for some time yet. In this post, Nick Garland explains how we can help support your business through tough times ahead.

Talking Asbestos – Nick appears on the Asbestos Knowledge Empire podcast

What’s been lost in the move to the new evidence-based licensing regime? How deep should health and safety culture go? What are the particular problems posed by asbestos in schools, and what’s the story of Assure360? Nick’s covered all these topics and more in his appearance on the Asbestos Knowledge Empire podcast. Discover more.

Better Asbestos Removal – what to do when perfect isn’t possible

When the asbestos industry deals with significant risks, why do we have ‘guidance’, and why does the UK’s key health and safety legislation leave room for interpretation?

Reviewing 2019 – a year of change in asbestos management

2019 marked the 20th anniversary of the UK’s total ban on asbestos. A day to celebrate, but the year also saw upheaval in asbestos management, with the HSE’s long-overdue overhaul of the licensing regime becoming a talking point for the wrong reasons. Here’s our review of the year.

Taking licence – how the HSE is shaking up asbestos removal

In its overhaul of the asbestos licencing regime, the HSE is doing away with one and two-year licences. That's exactly what founder Nick Garland called for - here he explains why it's the right move, what some of the benefits will be, and how we're better placed than ever to help and support LARCs applying for a licence.

Five ways to reduce accident risk in your business

Why should accidents happen? As a licensed asbestos removal contractor, what can you do to manage and minimise the risks of a dangerous business? Here are five essential tips to reducing risk.

Audit insights: top 10 site non-conformance issues June & July 2018

What were the top 10 non-conformance issues we recorded in June and July 2018? Nick Garland has the breakdown.

Beyond Grenfell – Welcoming the Hackitt review

The Grenfell disaster was, among many other things, a failure of building regulations to protect residents. Assure360 founder Nick Garland says it's clear the Hackitt Review had to re-learn the lessons of work health and safety - so did it deliver?

Audit insights: top 10 site non conformance issues Sept & Oct 2017

This is a summary of the non conformance data we collected via the Assure360 app in September and October 2017.

Project Analyst: a peek at the HSE’s findings

Nick Garland shares what he learned from Martin Gibsons’ talk at October’s BOHS roadshow about the long awaited investigation into analyst performance.

Audit insights August 2017: top 10 site non conformance issues

In our regular feature, we take a look at the data collected by Assure360 to understand the issues our peers in the safety industry tackle during site audits and tech reviews.

New analyst guidance part 3: reoccupation certificates and clearances

In the third part of my summary of the new draft Asbestos Analyst’s Guide from the HSE - I’m concentrating on reoccupation certificates and clearances.

Audit insights July 2017: top 10 site non conformance issues

See what the data from the Assure360 app is telling us about the most common non conformance issues on site audits during July 2017.

Audit insights May 2017: top 10 site non conformance issues

See what the Assure360 data is telling us about the most common site incidents and safety audit issues in May 2017.

Our new app: evolution or revolution?

We’ve just released an updated version of the Assure360 app - here’s how it helps to turn auditing into meaningful improvements in safety.

Audit insights: what’s causing non conformance issues on site?

Find out what our app data is telling us about site non conformances and how you could be using the same data to inform site auditing and safety.