Blog Post

Strategic Document Creation for Asbestos Management: Utilising External Expertise for Better Compliance

Adam Fox • 29 July 2024

Beyond the financial implications, there are inherent challenges associated with in-house document creation

Introduction


In the intricate world of asbestos management, staying compliant with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations is not just mandatory; it's essential for maintaining the safety and integrity of operations. One pivotal aspect of this compliance is the creation and maintenance of up-to-date documentation that reflects current practices and regulatory requirements. Traditionally, this task has been assigned to in-house staff, but a growing trend is the shift towards outsourcing this responsibility to external experts. This article explores the comparative benefits and efficiencies of utilising external expertise for strategic document creation.


The Cost of In-House Document Creation



Creating and updating compliance documents in-house can be an expensive endeavour. Typically, the cost of having an internal team member dedicated solely to document creation ranges from £5,000 to £7,500. This financial outlay, however, only scratches the surface of the overall cost. When an employee is diverted from their usual role for 6 to 8 weeks to focus on document creation, the impact on daily operations can be significant.


The opportunity cost—the loss of what that employee could have accomplished in their primary role—adds an additional layer of expense that is often overlooked. Moreover, during this period, other team members may need to compensate for the diverted employee's absence, potentially leading to overtime costs or delays in other projects.


Challenges with In-House Document Creation


Beyond the financial implications, there are inherent challenges associated with in-house document creation. Employees tasked with this job might not always be up-to-date with the latest industry changes, which are critical to ensuring that documentation meets current regulatory standards. As a result, there's a real risk that these documents could become outdated before they are even finalised and approved.


Furthermore, in-house staff are often emotionally invested in the processes and practices they are documenting. This attachment can lead to resistance to changes or amendments that may be necessary for compliance or operational efficiency. Such emotional investment can make it challenging for internal documents to undergo the rigorous review and modification necessary to meet HSE standards and adapt to new regulations.


Advantages of External Expertise


Contrastingly, hiring external specialists to handle document creation presents numerous advantages, particularly in terms of cost and efficiency. External experts generally cost around half as much as the total expense incurred by using in-house staff. This cost-efficiency is enhanced by the inclusion of annual amendments and updates as part of ongoing consultancy agreements, ensuring documents remain relevant and compliant without additional charges.


External consultants bring a level of objectivity and professionalism detached from company politics and personal biases. They are solely focused on creating high-quality documents that meet compliance standards and operational needs without the emotional investment seen in internal staff. This objectivity is crucial for making the necessary adjustments to documentation without resistance.


Strategic Benefits of External Document Creation


Perhaps the most significant advantage of employing external document creators is their strategic insight into the asbestos management industry. The best external professionals often hold positions in trade association committees, giving them access to draft HSE guidance and regulatory changes before they become common knowledge. This access allows companies to prepare and adapt to upcoming changes proactively, staying ahead of HSE inspections and industry standards.


This proactive adaptation can dramatically streamline the license renewal process. With documents that are already aligned with the latest HSE expectations, companies can face the renewal process confidently, reducing the time and complexity involved in proving compliance. This not only saves time but also reduces the stress associated with last-minute scrambles to update documentation ahead of audits and inspections.


Case Study: Success with External Document Management


Consider the case of a licensed asbestos removal contractor who faced significant challenges following a series of poor HSE visits and a change in their senior leadership team. The previous approach to document management had left them with outdated and non-compliant practices that needed urgent rectification. By partnering with Consulo Compliance, they leveraged our external expertise to overhaul their documentation system while they focused on implementing the required changes and keeping their clients happy.


Consulo's team conducted a series of external audits, chaired quality meetings, and rewrote standard operating procedures and plans of work documents. This comprehensive approach not only brought the contractor's documents up to date but also aligned their operations with the best practices in the industry. As a result, when it came time to renew their HSE license, the process was smooth and uneventful. The new license was granted within two weeks of submission with no additional conditions—a testament to the effectiveness of utilising external expertise.


Conclusion


The strategic utilisation of external experts for document creation in asbestos management offers more than just cost savings; it provides a competitive edge in compliance and operational efficiency. By outsourcing this crucial task, companies can ensure that their documentation is not only compliant but also crafted to reflect the latest industry standards and insights.


If your company is looking to enhance its compliance strategies or streamline its operational processes, consider the strategic benefits of hiring an external quality manager for document creation. Contact Consulo Compliance today to discover how our expert services can help you maintain industry-leading standards and facilitate your business operations.

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by Adam Fox 9 April 2025
Asbestos and the Circular Economy: Why It's Time to Stop Burying the Problem Twenty-five years after asbestos was banned in the UK, we’re still digging a hole—literally and metaphorically. Every day, across the country, asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, loaded into skips, and driven to landfill, where it will sit indefinitely, taking up valuable space, creating ongoing liability, and adding to our already bloated environmental burden. And yet, 2025 presents a different path. A smarter one. One that replaces disposal with repurposing, and turns a dangerous waste product into a useful, circular resource. The technology exists. So the question we should be asking isn’t “Can we recycle asbestos?” It’s “Why the hell aren’t we doing it already?” Landfill is Failing Us—But We’re Still Relying On It Let’s start with the basics. There are still over 1.5 million buildings in the UK that contain asbestos, most of them now approaching the end of their useful life. As these structures age or undergo refurbishment, the volume of asbestos waste is only going to increase. Right now, we handle that waste the same way we did decades ago: • Identify it • Remove it (usually under fully controlled conditions) • Seal it in heavy-duty plastic • Drive it to landfill • Bury it • Forget about it Except we don’t forget, do we? Because landfill space is running out. Disposal costs are going up. And the environmental cost? We’re only just starting to count it. There’s a Better Way—and It Already Works Here’s what most duty holders don’t realise: We no longer have to bury asbestos. Thanks to recent advances in thermal treatment technology, we now have a method that can safely denature asbestos, breaking down its fibrous structure and rendering it harmless. Companies like Thermal Recycling in the UK are already proving this is not science fiction. They’re using high temperatures to transform asbestos cement products—like corrugated roofing sheets—into an inert ceramic material that’s completely safe. But here's the best bit: That material isn’t just neutral. It’s useful. It can be crushed and graded into aggregate, which can be used in road construction, paving, and concrete mixes. Instead of creating a waste burden for the next generation, we’re creating a valuable, low-carbon building material. Why Aggregate Matters in the Carbon Equation The production of virgin aggregates—through mining and quarrying—is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. It contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and destroys natural landscapes. So by replacing some of that demand with recycled aggregate from denatured asbestos, we: • Cut carbon emissions • Reduce dependence on extraction • Shrink the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects • Extend the life of quarries and reduce waste tonnage That’s not just a win for waste management. That’s a win for the entire construction supply chain. And yet most people in the industry don’t even know it’s possible. Why Are We Still Burying What Could Be Reused? As someone who’s worked in asbestos compliance for over 20 years—and now helps business leaders manage risk more intelligently—I’ve seen the same patterns play out time and time again: • “We’ll just do what we’ve always done.” • “This project’s tight on budget—landfill’s cheaper, right?” • “We’re just following the usual route—it’s less risky.” Let’s be honest. That mindset is outdated, short-sighted, and lazy. Cost may always be a factor, but the belief that landfill is “cheaper” needs to be challenged. 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No one’s asking you to overhaul your entire waste strategy overnight. But you can—and should—start asking better questions: • “Is landfill our only option here?” • “Could this waste stream be recycled instead of buried?” • “What suppliers, contractors, or experts do we know who can help us explore this?” You don’t have to be a global pioneer. But if you’re in a position of responsibility, you should at least be aware that the old way isn’t the only way anymore. Final Thought: The Future Is Circular—Whether You Join In or Not Asbestos will be with us for decades to come. That’s a fact. But how we handle it—and whether we choose to keep repeating the past or do something smarter—is up to us. Thermal recycling and other denaturing technologies offer a rare opportunity to do something that actually moves the industry forward. Not just ticking the compliance box. Not just burying the problem. But solving it—and turning it into something useful in the process. If you’re involved in asbestos management in even the slightest way, ask yourself this: Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
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