Asbestos Analytical Services

First things first, accreditation. To carry out analysis of bulk sample for the presence of asbestos fibre, air sampling, and microscope counting of asbestos fibres in air in the UK, you must be accredited to ISO 17025 (currently UKAS is the only accreditation body to offer this for asbestos).

AMS offers 3 distinctly different levels of service attendance during and after asbestos removal. These are governed by legislation, including the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2006).

Provision of an Analyst

If you feel you have got enough management and supervisory elements in place, AMS can provide you with an analyst to perform quality control monitoring and issue of Certificates of Reoccupation for enclosures. Whilst this is our lowest level of service, it can prove essential in ensuring legislative compliance to personnel and the enforcing authorities.

Asbestos Removal Contractor Management

Management of asbestos removal projects is similar to management of other construction activities. Methods statements are checked prior to works commencing and the contractor is rigorously vetted and controlled during the works. Although similar to supervision, the distinct difference is that we operate in an advisory capacity to both client and contractor, helping to keep the project on track whilst the licensed asbestos removal contractor remains responsible for the contracting element of the project. Our management representative will give you regular advisory updates and carry out all the analytical duties needed on site by you and the contractor.

Turn Key Asbestos Removal Project Management Services

Following surveys and inspections, the decision towards the next step can often be a daunting one even for the experienced asbestos manager. We offer advice and consultation on best value approaches to asbestos remediation, including analysis of the ongoing costs of management, the viability of encapsulation and the long term benefits of removal. If work is needed, we can compile and issue tender documents to reputable licensed asbestos removal contractors. On return we will issue a tender report and recommendation of appointment. Following a decision on the level of AMS involvement in the project we will attend pre-start meetings, and discuss the project with personnel who may have concerns. Our support services can continue during the project, handling cost control, valuations, final accounts etc. We can even oversee press releases for highly sensitive projects through our retained PR partners.

This approach loses that all important gap between the contractor and the analyst. HSE recommend that the analyst be commissioned directly by the client to prevent any conflict of interest. It is the contractor led approach, some would argue, that has led to numerous projects being redone years later.

Why have an analyst present on site during the works?

An analyst on site is a competent person versed in the perceived black art of asbestos removal. In addition to providing data to answer the all important question of is that being done correctly the analyst can liaise with enforcing authorities and ensure smooth running.

I only need to have a Certificate of Reoccupation issued under the regulations.

This is correct, but consider this; asbestos removal and nuclear activities are the only 2 HSE licensed activities in the UK. An analyst arriving at the end of a removal project after the asbestos waste has left site, the enclosure is cleaned etc is unlikely to grasp the full scope of the work activities. This leaves the client vulnerable to failure of the inspection causing overrun or worse still the analyst not being able to issue a Certificate of Reoccupation.