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.

Approaching the cliff edge – unknown asbestos

It’s rare to see a great article on asbestos in the mainstream press, but a recent Times special report serves to highlight our biggest challenge: ageing, inefficient buildings, hiding a deadly asbestos legacy.

Sorry for the inconvenience – the HSE cracks down on site facilities

Site welfare doesn’t always mean a Portaloo and a couple of picnic tables. Now the Health and Safety Executive is tightening up its guidance, with real consequences for contractors who don’t meet suitable standards. Here’s Nick Garland’s summary.

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.

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.

“It’s only an asbestos enclosure” – why temporary works are a problem

Everything a licensed asbestos contractor builds or installs comes under the temporary works guidance, but there’s little understanding of what this means in practice. Nick Garland explains how to keep within the rules.

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.

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.

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?