New Asbestos: The Hidden Killer Campaign

HSE is launching a national campaign, Asbestos: The Hidden Killer, on November 2^nd 2009 to target tradesmen, who are still at risk from exposure to asbestos.

The campaign will be similar to last year’s campaign so expect to see some adverts and posters near you soon.

Mesothelioma deaths to peak in 2016

The number of deaths from mesothelioma has hit record levels and is not expected to peak until 2016, according to research from HSE.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos and usually fatal.

The expected number of mesothelioma cases among males is predicted to increase to a peak of 2038 in 2016 compared to 1812 in 2007.

Get ready for new asbestos guidance

HSE will soon be replacing the existing asbestos survey guidance known as MDHS 100 with a new guidance document called Asbestos: The Surveyors Guide.

Since 2001, the MDHS 100 has been the principal source of guidance for the conduct of asbestos surveys. This document laid out rules relating to how surveys should be conducted and materials assessed, together with requirements for reporting. However there was little information on how surveys should be planned or how the information gathered should be used for managing asbestos. As a result, survey reports were often found to be insufficient for effective asbestos management.

The revised survey guidance will contain:

1. Specific guidelines for clients
2. Greater clarity for duty holder and surveyor
3. New sections on survey strategy for the domestic sector
4. Avoidance of disclaimers/caveats
5. Strengthened guidance on competence
6. Greater detail on conducting refurbishment/demolition surveys

In addition to this, there will be a new system of surveying to replace the existing three types of survey, Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 surveys.

Under the new regime, there will be two types of asbestos survey:

• the management survey (akin to the Type 2 survey) – designed to locate, as far as reasonably practicable, the presence and extent of ACMs, so that the Duty holder can prepare a plan for the management of asbestos
• the refurbishment/demolition survey (akin to the Type 3 survey) – a much more intrusive survey, designed to locate all the ACMs so they can be removed before the refurbishment (whether small scale or a large project) or demolition takes place. Aggressive inspection techniques will be required, so controls must be in place to prevent the spread of asbestos debris

Vintec receives UKAS accreditation for soils testing

Vintec has become one of just fifteen UK providers accredited for asbestos testing in soils. Vintec is now accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to BS EN ISO/IEC 17025 for soils testing. 

Asbestos in soils can be encountered during groundwork on redevelopment sites. This is often the results of historical tipping, illegal tipping of construction debris or imported contaminated soil. The owners of the land have a duty of care to anyone who may access, use or work on the land and to make sure proper risk assessments and investigations have been carried out.

Remedial options do not have to be limited to removal and disposal to landfill which can be costly. Treatments can include soil washing, screening, sieving, sorting or even stabilisation or capping where airborne asbestos fibres are present.

The new accreditation adds to our already strong offering of asbestos testing services. We hope to attract new customers that are keen to work with an independent tester such as Vintec.

www.vinteclabs.com

HSE Hidden Killer ad campaign

You must have seen or heard the powerful HSE ads warning against asbestos poisoning recently?

Shocking statistics show that every week 20 tradesmen die from asbestos-related disease. If you carry out work on a building that was built or refurbished before the year 2000, you could have been exposed to asbestos, without even knowing it.

So, the first step is to find out of you actually have asbestos on your site. Vintec can detect asbestos by either testing the air quality and/or specific ‘suspected’ materials (depending on your legal obligation and situation – we can advise of this also).

To find out more about the services available visit http://www.vinteclabs.com/services.php

Welcome to the Vintec Blog

Welcome to the new blog (and website!) from Vintec Environmental Management.

For those of you that don’t know us, we provide asbestos testing services to ensure your environment is free from the dangers of asbestos and compliant with UK health and safety regulations.

We plan to use this blog to keep you up to speed with news, legilsation, useful tips and information…all from the world of Vintec and asbestos testing.

We start by wishing ourselves a Happy 25th Birthday! We believe that makes us the oldest (in company terms only of course…) and wisest in the business so if you have any questions or concerns about your asbestos testing obligations we would love to hear from you. Visit www.vinteclabs.com.