Asbestos management inquiry held by Government
Over the past few months, the Government’s Work and Pensions Committee has been carrying out an inquiry into the approach of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to asbestos management in buildings. There are six million tonnes of asbestos in the UK, most of which can be found in more than 1.5 million buildings across … Read more
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20 years after the use of asbestos was banned in the UK will we ever be asbestos-safe?
Have you ever considered if the UK will ever be asbestos-safe? Here at Acorn Analytical Services we are regularly asked by clients and friends if we think there is enough asbestos left in the country to see us out. Sadly, the answer is yes and not just us but generations to come. Any building built … Read more
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Acorn director has spent 20 years in asbestos industry fighting hidden killer
This month it is 20 years since Acorn Analytical Services director Ian Stone first entered the asbestos industry. We caught up with Ian to find out how his career in the asbestos industry began and what changes he has seen along the way. Ian, what made you want to join the asbestos industry? When I … Read more
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Asbestos in the workplace is a killer
At Acorn Analytical Services, we are all too well aware that asbestos in the workplace can kill if it is not managed properly. This Sunday, our staff – along with millions of other people across the UK – will stop what they’re doing and observe a minute’s silence to mark National Workplace Day of Remembrance … Read more
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The dangers of not wearing RPE correctly
Being out on the frontline helping organisations to manage their asbestos safely means we’re no strangers to wearing RPE. For anyone who doesn’t know RPE stands for Respiratory Protective Equipment and it comes in two main types – respirators and breathing apparatus. RPE is one of the most essential pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) … Read more
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Asbestos surveys protect lives
A case has come to light in the past few weeks which shows why asbestos surveys are so important. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the details of a court case concerning a construction company which was fined after employees were exposed to asbestos. MS Properties (Northern) Ltd has been fined for safety … Read more
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School holidays are the perfect time for asbestos surveys
When you think of the upcoming October half-term holiday, asbestos surveys and asbestos-related works might not be the first thing that spring to mind. Fortunately, many schools and colleges wisely choose to use their breaks to get on top of their asbestos issues by organising asbestos surveys or carrying out works which – without the … Read more
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Asbestos causes a headache for constructor and neighbouring businesses
Asbestos hit the headlines once again this week when it brought a construction project grinding to a halt, closed off a town centre road and disrupted nearby businesses. The Stoke Sentinel has published an article sharing the frustrations of businesses in Piccadilly Arcade in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, who were unable to access their parking spaces or … Read more
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Construction firm fined £30,000 after exposing workers to asbestos
Every year, thousands of people in the UK are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Often people have developed these conditions after coming into contact with asbestos years earlier – in some cases decades earlier. Sadly, this doesn’t mean that people aren’t being exposed to asbestos today. It is estimated that there are around 1.5m buildings in … Read more
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Asbestos forces homeowner to live in a hotel for almost a year
A couple of weeks ago we heard about an interesting case which clearly illustrates why we should all be on the look out for asbestos in our everyday lives. The case involved a garage door installation company Garage Doors (Northern) Ltd which was fined after it failed to manage asbestos safely during work on a … Read more
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