GBNS - Asbestos Risk Management

Highlighting the Dangers

t. 01371 810700

SERVICES

	WELCOME TO GBNS

		As one of the UK’s leading Asbestos Risk Management Consultants, GBNS offers a full range of services specifically tailored to assist your company manage asbestos safely. These services include the inspection, identification and assessment of all risks, and the creation of records and strategies in compliance with current legislation. GBNS are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited. This is the sole accreditation body recognised by the Government to assess against internationally recognised standards for organisations which provide inspection and testing services. This achievement demonstrates our competence and ability to provide a quality and measurable service, which is constantly reviewed, giving our customers confidence in our standards. At GBNS, we pride ourselves on the quality of our highly trained staff, attention to detail and our ability to respond to our Customers’ needs quickly. Our company is rapidly expanding due to the range of services offered and our high rate of customer satisfaction. With extensive experience in the asbestos industry, operating independently, impartially with integrity and full confidentiality, we continue to offer the best service available in the asbestos consulting sector today.

SURVEYING

GBNS are UKAS accredited to undertake asbestos surveys, which are fully compliant with MDHS 100 and CAWR (Control of Asbestos Regulation 2006). Our in house Quality Control system, meets the requirements of EN ISO / IEC 17020; EN ISO / IEC 17025 on all building types, applying to pre-demolition or major building refurbishment, help prevent possible building closures, prosecution and damage to health. Risk Assessments are carried out prior to all surveys and our comprehensive reports are supplied in hard copy format as well as being accompanied by an electronic
version if required.

We provide three types of survey:-

Type 1 Location and Assessment (Presumptive):
A visual inspection to locate materials suspected of containing asbestos, access to required areas permitting.

Type 2 Standard Sampling, Identification & Assessment:
As per Type 1, but samples are taken to verify content of material.

Type 3 Full Access Sampling & Identification:
Required before demolition or major refurbishment to locate all asbestos containing materials, access to required areas permitting.

All GBNS surveyors are professionally accredited with a minimum of BOHS P402, though S301, P405 and P401 asbestos qualifications are also held within the company.

ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT

At GBNS, every asbestos management project starts with the selection of the specific type of survey, best suited to the project needs. On completion of the survey, a comprehensive report outlines all actions required along with our recommendations. This survey report can be accessed securely via the Internet, with further discussions resulting in agreement of a Management Action Plan ensuring full legal compliance.

The Management Action Plan encompasses:

•	Training – Asbestos Awareness Courses to highlight dangers
•	Responsibilities
•	Continued monitoring of known Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’S). Regular re-inspections and updates completed, also after any remedial works carried out as part of the plan.

The plan is used in conjunction with the survey risk register to ensure exposure to asbestos is prevented.

GBNS can manage the identified ACM’s providing emergency contact numbers and site visits in case of any disturbance. Prohibited Access Area Permits, and Works Impact Assessments can be arranged for planned maintenance works (please refer to the Project Management section).

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

GBNS are perfectly placed to undertake a range of asbestos related management projects.

Works Impact Assessments:
We evaluate the impact of any proposed works or maintenance on the identified locations of known asbestos materials, and then recommend the most cost-effective course of action (with specifications, budgets and timescales) to be taken in accordance with the proposed works.

Tender Specification & Evaluation:
GBNS construct project tender specifications prior to abatement works, specific to our customers’ requirements. This ensures that all works comply with HSE legislation and all contractors are quoting to exact standards and requirements. Tenders can then be compared to gain optimum
contract value.

We manage asbestos projects from initiation through to completion, ensuring that all works are carried out in compliance with our tender specification liasing with all parties concerned.

GBNS are also licensed by the Health & Safety Executive to supervise asbestos removal/remedial projects to ensure
health & safety guidelines are adhered to.
(License 3050705049).

ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING

Our in-house laboratory can carry out sophisticated Air Quality Monitoring within the workplace, MMMF (Man Made Mineral Fibres), total respirable dust, lead and other heavy metals. We are also able to carry out Contaminated Land Investigations, testing soil for:

•	Asbestos
•	Lead
•	Arsenic
•	Zinc
•	Calcium
and other metals.

AIR MONITORING

The most common situations requiring our Air Monitoring expertise are:

•	Background – to establish fibre concentrations prior to any activity, whichmay lead to airborne asbestos contamination.
•	Leakage – to ensure the working enclosure is effectively preventing fibre release during works allowing appropriate control measures to be implemented if needed.
•	Re-assurance – generally on completion of removal or remedial works.
•	Personal – to verify the effectiveness of control measures used for medical observation records and risk assessments.
•	Four-Stage Clearance Air monitoring, as part of the re-occupation procedure.

All GBNS analysts are professionally accredited with
BOHS P403 and P404 asbestos qualifications.

ARE YOU AWARE

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

The term asbestos covers a number of naturally occurring silicate minerals that have crystallised to form various types of fibres. The fibres have high tensile strength and are chemical, electrical and heat resistant and have been used widely throughout the building industry. Since the 1930’s it is estimated that 6 million tonnes of asbestos have been imported to the UK, which have been identified in many varied products. Some of the most commonly used are listed below:-

	- Garage/Shed Roofs	- Wall Boarding
	- Soffits and Guttering	- Partitions/Risers
	- Water Storage Tanks	- Ceiling Tiles
	- Cement Flue Pipes	- Fire Door Panels
	- Artex/Textured Coatings	- Fire Breaks
	- Floor Coverings/Tiles	- Pipe Insulations

HEALTH EFFECTS

Asbestos related diseases are currently responsible for more than 4,000 deaths a year in the UK and the number is increasing. In fact, asbestos kills more people than any other single work related illness, making its professional management critical to every business.

There are six regulated types of asbestos, but the 3 main types are:

Chrysotile, Amosite and Crocidolite — usually referred to as White, Brown and Blue. Although asbestos is a hazardous material, it is only dangerous when fibres become airborne. Asbestos managed correctly is not considered a health risk.

LEGISLATION

There is now an explicit legal duty upon companies to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. Legal duties under Regulation 4 of Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 require those responsible to:

•	Take reasonable steps to find materials likely to contain asbestos.
•	Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence to suppose that they do not.
•	Assess the risk and likelihood of anyone being exposed to asbestos from these materials.
•	Make a written record of the location and the condition of the ACM’s and presumed ACM’s, keeping it safe and up to date.
•	Have a plan made available to any person/s who may be likely to disturb them during works.
•	All asbestos materials must be maintained in good condition.
•	Companies must continue to monitor the condition of known ACM’s.

CONTACT US

	CONTACT DETAILS

		GBNS Partnership Ltd 2 Great Wincey Farm Brent Hall Road Finchingfield Essex CM7 4JZ Tel. 01371 810700 Fax. 01371 811888 Email consultant@gbnsasbestos.co.uk Registered in England Company No. 4215144 Registered Address : 144 High Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4AS

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