A webinar on the new exposure guidance

I’ve written quite extensively about the new personal sampling and exposure guidance from the Asbestos Network. It’s an important topic, and one that the industry has struggled to get a grip on. That’s why we’re hosting a free webinar to go through it on 16 January 2024 at 10am.

Something new: FAAM’s first four-stage clearance workshop

Assure 360’s founder, Nick Garland, took the lead in arranging FAAM’s new workshop, bringing together analysts and removalists to look at the four-stage clearance from both sides of the divide. What happened, and what did we discover? Here’s Nick with the lowdown.

How well are duty holders managing asbestos?

The asbestos industry is stepping up to implement some of the Work and Pensions Committee recommendations that the HSE has opted not to pursue. This month, Nick Garland gives us an overview of ATaC and NORAC’s joint research into asbestos management.

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.

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.

There’s more to DCU safety than gas and electrics

The draft guidance on safety in the decontamination unit contains solid directions, but the Asbestos Network’s remit stops at gas and electrical safety. While we’ve got the opportunity, shouldn’t we be adding guidance relating to other issues such as personal safety?

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.

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?

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

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?

DCU safety – reviewing the guidance for safe decontamination

The risks to asbestos-removal workers continue until everyone’s safely decontaminated and off-site. But how do you ensure safety in the DCU? Here’s Nick Garland’s review of the latest guidance.

Getting ready for asbestos licence assessment – how Assure360 can guide you through the chaos

Over the summer it has become clear that the HSE’s new asbestos licensing regime is, to put it mildly, challenging. In this article Assure360’s founder Nick Garland explains why his biggest piece of advice is to start the application process as early as possible.

The new asbestos licence regime – and how Assure360 can help

The HSE's move toward an evidence-based asbestos licensing regime presents all licensed asbestos removal contractors with a new challenge. Nick Garland explains how Assure360's paperless system lets LARCs exceed the HSE's expectations.

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.

Aiming for a three year HSE asbestos licence? We can help

Find out why so many of our clients at Assure360 are being granted three year HSE asbestos licences, and how we could help you to get yours.

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.

Appointing the right asbestos analyst: new analyst guidance

Read Nick Garland's summary of the draft of the new Asbestos Analyst’s Guide from the HSE and what it suggests for hiring the right analyst.

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 exposure monitoring – not licence renewal already?

We think exposure monitoring is more than just another regulatory requirement - read why.