A great new partnership for ARCA members

We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with ARCA to deliver better exposure monitoring for licensed asbestos removal contractors (LARCs). Here’s Nick Garland with the details.

New Assure360 features

We’re always at work adding new features to Assure360 and our three apps. Our latest updates target hand-arm vibration syndrome, and make it easier for LARCs to stay on top of their targeting when it comes to personal monitoring.

Gel cutting in Guernsey

Earlier research suggested that gel-cutting could be a faster and safer way to remove asbestos-lagged pipework. But could new teams pick it up and get similar results? Nick Garland recounts a second investigation in Guernsey.

The HSE calls out training malpractice

The HSE has ruffled more than a few feathers with a statement naming two training organisations. But behind the brouhaha, Nick Garland writes, there are urgent questions about whether asbestos training is fit for purpose.

Five takeaways from the new exposure guidance

The entire asbestos industry has struggled to get to grips with personal exposure over the years, so the Asbestos Network’s monitoring guidance is both welcome and overdue. It’s a crucial area to understand, so here’s Nick Garland with five essential takeaways.

Gel Cutting – A New Removal Technique

Gel packs provide an alternative to the wrap and cut method for removing pipes, but without direct comparison, how do we know if the technique’s an improvement? FAAM designed a test to compare the two - Nick Garland examines the results.

Asbestos in schools: is the awareness building?

The government rejected Work and Pension Committee recommendations for a 40-year asbestos removal programme in public buildings. Now the Times has picked up the baton, launching a campaign to have ACMs removed from schools, as Nick Garland reports.

Reducing the asbestos exposure limit: a tough act to follow

Different EU groups are advocating up to 100-fold lower asbestos exposure limits. It might sound a good idea, but removalists will need new techniques and protection to get there. Nick Garland explains why.

The Retained EU Law Bill – is sense prevailing at last?

As it was drafted, the Retained EU Law bill could have seen the wholesale repeal of EU legislation - including vital law like the Control of Asbestos Regulations. Fortunately it seems there’s been an outbreak of sense, as Nick Garland explains.

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.

Asbestos in cosmetics – why are we still using talc?

It’s reported that at least 100 British women have joined legal action against US cosmetic firms over the risk of asbestos exposure from talc in makeup. Nick Garland looks at the links between talc and asbestos, and asks why we’re using it at all.

An update on the Asbestos Network monitoring guidance

It won’t be long now before the Asbestos Network releases its updated guidance on personal monitoring. A lot’s changed since we last looked at the draft, so we’ve put together some updated analysis.

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.

The 100% clean – comparing blasting and needle guns

When you absolutely, positively have to get rid of every trace of asbestos in a room, you’re probably looking at blasting or needle guns. What are the risks and issues with using both, and how do you mitigate them?

Positive changes to improve personal safety in the DCU

Colette Willoughby’s powerful talk on the safety of female analysts stunned many of us who heard it. I’m pleased to see that it continues to make an impact, and that our industry is beginning to make the changes that our female colleagues demand and deserve.

The Work and Pensions Committee asbestos report: five key recommendations

The Work and Pensions Committee has published its report on how the HSE manages asbestos in the UK. It’s full of well-balanced recommendations - here we look at the details, and focus in on five recommendations that could transform UK asbestos management for the better.

When to visual in the four-stage clearance

The Analysts’ Guide clearly states that analysts shouldn’t enter a ‘live’ enclosure, but this sensible instruction is leading to misunderstandings with big cost and program repercussions. While it may seem confusing on the surface, Nick Garland explains what it actually says, and why.

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 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.

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.

Stay safer with Assure Incident 2.0

Construction is a dangerous business, but accidents rarely come entirely without warning. The trick is to identify the trends and blind spots that precede them, and act before someone gets hurt. Here’s how Assure360 can help.

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.

FAAM conference report – more than a virtual success

2020: Covid, change, and cause for optimism

Few will mourn 2020, but as 2021 beckons, the changes brought about by Covid will help to drive newer, better ways of working for everyone. Nick Garland looks back on a challenging year, and discovers how a very old-fashioned industry has been propelled into a paperless future

Living and working in Covid times

The pandemic will be with us for a while yet. But amid the misery of second-wave lockdowns, some of the changes forced on businesses will pay off in the long term. Nick Garland reviews the latest advice on safe working, and explains why some short-term fixes will give way to lasting change.

Virtually there – the BOHS and FAAM conference

With the postponement of the Hazardous Materials Expo, it’s good that some other events are going online. Here we look forward to the BOHS and FAAM conference, happening virtually on 18-19 November.

Construction industry accidents – no room for complacency

This summer’s figures on workplace fatalities offer encouraging reading - for everyone except the construction industry. Against a lockdown backdrop of less activity, construction deaths rose by a third. So what can the data tell us about the reasons, and how can we apply it to keeping more people safe? Nick Garland looks behind the figures.

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.

Confined spaces – the lack of understanding that could cost lives

Confined spaces and asbestos removal often go hand in hand, yet the lack of understanding about risks and controls could be putting people in danger. Nick Garland highlights why it’s essential to address the specific hazards in a confined workplace.

Hot under the collar – how hot environments are the confined space we should worry about

When it comes to working in confined spaces, hot environments are the new challenge that the asbestos-removal industry needs to get its head around.

COVID-19 and asbestos removal: can we carry on?

We're all trying to get our heads around the crazy new world that we are living in with COVID-19. Here are Nick Garland's thoughts on whether we can keep working - and whether we should

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.

HSE asbestos licensing: is the system broken?

With different licence durations and multiple conditions that can be attached, clients often use a LARC’s asbestos-removal licence as a shortcut to judging competence. Fortunately the HSE is giving the system a much-needed overhaul - here's Nick Garland's take.

Asbestos in schools: in a unique environment, why ‘manage in situ’ simply isn’t good enough

The Department of Education knows that children are more at risk from asbestos exposure, and yet 85% of our schools contain some form of the material. With teachers and ex-pupils dying from continued exposure, is 'manage in situ' fit for purpose?

Confined spaces: when does the HSE guidance apply?

When does the HSE's confined spaces guidance apply to asbestos removal work? It may be more often than you realise, says Nick Garland

FAAM brings us the latest developments in the asbestos world and inspiring Mavis Nye

The inaugural FAAM conference lived up to expectation with superb speakers and rigorous academic discussion with internationally recognised experts. Here's our round-up.

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.

Events preview: the best events and conferences for asbestos and safety professionals

Our list of the best asbestos and health and safety events happening in the UK over the next 6 months.

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?

What to do when you find asbestos contamination on site

Finding asbestos contamination on a site or building project can feel paralysing. But there’s no need to panic. Here’s a simple guide to help.

FAAM – the new home for asbestos professionals

The Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FAAM) is the new home for qualified, experienced asbestos professionals. It’s long overdue.

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.

Asbestos Analysts’ Guide White Paper

Download our new white paper - essential reading to help you unpick the significance of the changes coming our way, by Nick Garland, CEO of Assure360.

New analyst guide part 4: soils

In the fourth part of his summary of the new draft Asbestos Analyst’s Guide from the HSE - Nick Garland is concentrating on soils.

The shadow of Grenfell and Aberfan – what building regulation can learn from workplace H&S

With the shock of the Grenfell Tower fire still raw in our minds, Nick Garland look to echoes of the past for lessons to relearn.

Come and see us at Contamination Expo 2017

We’re exhibiting at Contamination Expo 2017 again this year. Find out why you should be going - and why you should come and talk to us on stand C3150.

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.

How Assure360 can help with your HSE asbestos licence assessment

Asbestos license renewal can be very challenging, even for the best prepared and diligent of companies. Find out how Assure360 can help.

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.

HSE asbestos licensing: time to fix a broken system?

We examine why the licence terms awarded to asbestos contractors are decreasing and suggest a better way forward.

Asbestos blasting techniques – is the end nigh?

Read our summary of the draft guidance on asbestos blasting techniques from the latest ALG meeting minutes.

Asbestos removal and transiting – why do they always get it wrong?

Why is transiting guidance so often disregarded in asbestos removal? Here's what we think.

Better H&S – risk assessment vs prescription

Find out why we're making the case for a risk assessment approach to asbestos management and how to improve things.

Why the Brits are best at health and safety

We take a look at European health and safety regulations and where we can take learnings for Britain.

Three key services we can provide for you here at Assure Risk Management

Find out about the variety of different services to help you combat health and safety issues.