Asbestos: How learning your ABC could help us to save lives

It's time to learn your asbestos ABC

At Acorn Analytical Services we have one very simple message – ABC – or Asbestos Before Construction.

It’s a simple message but it’s also an important one.

Before carrying out building work of any kind you must check for the presence of asbestos first. Not doing so could have potentially serious implications for the health of those around you, or at the very least lead to a costly fine as logistics giant, Eddie Stobart discovered earlier this month.

On November 4, the company was fined £133,000 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for an incident that happened in 2018. Excavation work at one of its sites in Cheshire led to the disturbance of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs), potentially putting staff at risk. A subsequent investigation by the HSE also found that a survey hadn’t been carried out and that staff hadn’t received the correct training.

The company, which has since said it is ‘fully committed to health and safety’ pleaded guilty, was fined £133,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,260.

Always remember your ABCs

The thing to remember about asbestos is that it is all around us – in our offices, factories, shops, schools, hospitals and even our homes.

While its use has been banned in the UK for more than 20 years, it’s hidden away, in the very fabric of many older buildings, and you wouldn’t know it’s there unless you go searching for it.

And that’s where the team of experts at Acorn Analytical Services come in.

If you are carrying out building out work of any kind in the near future we would recommend a full asbestos survey to check for the presence of this hidden killer.

If your survey is clear, you’re good to go. If asbestos is found, we can give you all the information you need to make sure it is managed safely and within the latest regulations.

If you’re carrying out work on your premises and you know asbestos is present, you’ll need our specialist advice to help you navigate your project safely.

Asbestos air testing helps you to monitor the particles in the air, before, during and after work has been completed to ensure the safety of everyone on site. We can also provide mobile laboratories to ensure you have immediate results.

It’s never too late to learn

If you employ staff whose work could potentially lead to the disturbance of asbestos – we’re thinking maintenance staff, plumbers, electricians, demolition and construction workers and roofers, to name just a few – the right training is essential.

We’re fully accredited by the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) and our training sessions are designed with tradespeople in mind. We give you all the information you need to avoid accidental disturbances as well as raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos more generally.

After the initial training session has been completed, refreshers should be carried out annually to ensure staff remain compliant with the latest regulations. You’ll receive a UKATA training certificate within 24 hours of passing your course and our experts are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.

All of our trainers have at least ten years’ experience in the asbestos industry and are approved by UKATA.  

With Acorn Analytical Services you’re always in safe hands.

Acorn is a professional asbestos consultancy helping organisations deal with compliance using surveysair testing, and removal management. 

Please call one of the team, or use the online form to obtain your free quotation. If you would like further information or advice on asbestos and asbestos training, contact the team on 0844 818 0895 or Contact Us

Neil Munro

I work in a dual role at Acorn Analytical Services focused primarily on growing and leading the business from our Northampton office base. My focus is on overseeing all sales, marketing and financial activities from Northampton. I assist clients with high-level asbestos management strategies and training. Together with Ian Stone I host our weekly podcast – Asbestos Knowledge Empire and I'm Co-author of Asbestos The Dark Arts and Fear and Loathing of Health and Safety.

Need Help? Request a Call Back

Request a call back from one of our expert Asbestos Consultants who will help you identify what you need

More Asbestos Articles

Asbestos isn't a headache with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

Asbestos isn’t a problem with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

AT Acorn Analytical Services we’re probably best known for the work we do supporting businesses with asbestos surveys and asbestos management. But did you also know that we offer a full package of health and safety services through our Acorn Compliance Antidote? The antidote is the perfect way to get all your health and safety … Read more

Asbestos consultancy celebrates the opening of new regional office

Asbestos company celebrates the opening of new regional office in Wolverhampton

EARLIER this month the team at Acorn Analytical Services was delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre and the Deputy Mayoress, Lynn Plant to the opening of our new asbestos management office in Wolverhampton. It was a very proud day for regional manager, Lewis Scott and his team, and Acorn’s … Read more

Emma Gooding, one of our women in construction

Women in Construction: Highlighting the work of two incredible women at the heart of our team

HIGHLY-SKILLED, talented women in construction are right at the heart of Acorn Analytical Services’ success, taking on key roles within our business and leading the fight against the UK’s asbestos epidemic. In recent years, many more women in construction have chosen to take on roles within the asbestos industry and at Acorn we do everything … Read more

Asbestos Book

Asbestos: The Dark Arts – essential reading for anyone involved in health and safety this World Book Day

AS well as being part of one of the UK’s leading asbestos consultancies, Acorn Analytical Services’ directors Ian Stone and Neil Munro have also written best-selling books on asbestos and health and safety. The books, which include their five-star rated title Asbestos: The Dark Arts, have quickly become essential reading to anyone involved in facilities … Read more

Asbestos bitesize training sessions for you and your business

Asbestos: Free bitesize sessions from the experts at Acorn will help keep your team protected from this hidden killer

IT may have been banned from new buildings more than 20 years ago but asbestos still poses a huge threat to the health and wellbeing of our society. Thousands of buildings – including many schools – still contain asbestos which can go on to cause deadly cancer if it is damaged or disturbed releasing microscopic … Read more

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining star

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining example of how apprenticeships can be a huge success for everyone

IT’S National Apprenticeship Week and what better way to celebrate than by shining the spotlight on asbestos analyst, Jake Newell. Jake joined Acorn Analytical Services as an apprentice in 2021 and since then he has completed his training, shown outstanding commitment and dedication to his role and been recognised for his efforts by winning – … Read more

2022 - A big year in the fight against asbestos

2022: A big year for Acorn Analytical Services in the fight against a hidden killer

2022 was a big year for the team of experts at multi award-winning asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services. It was a year which saw the business grow and develop, we took on new staff and we helped support businesses, charities and organisations right across the UK by helping to manage their asbestos and raise … Read more

Asbestos awareness: Education is key

Asbestos awareness: ‘Educating the public is key’

WHEN it comes to raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos, education and training are absolutely key. With so much advice out there, it can be difficult to know where to turn for information you can trust and training which is tailored to suit your individual needs. To mark national Day of Education, the team … Read more

Asbestos is a big problem on the high street

Asbestos on the high street continues to dominate the headlines

The headlines have once again been dominated this week by stories of high street premises which have been affected by asbestos. In November, Acorn Analytical Services shone a spotlight on the growing epidemic in towns and cities across the UK and urged companies and shop owners to put the safety of their staff and customers … Read more

Reducing asbestos in schools should be a clear priority

‘Reducing asbestos in schools should be our first priority’

FOR many years the team at Acorn Analytical Services has been calling for full asbestos risk assessments to be carried out in schools right across the UK. With many schools having been built during the post-war period when the use of asbestos was at its highest, we fear that many school buildings still contain the … Read more