The Strategic Advantage of External Asbestos Audits: Enhancing Compliance and Safety for Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCs)

Adam Fox • 15 July 2024

Audit insights are invaluable in refining operational strategies and enhancing overall safety protocols

Introduction

Asbestos, a hazardous material once widely used in construction, poses significant health risks during its removal and disposal. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCs) in the UK are under stringent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations to manage these risks effectively. A critical aspect of demonstrating compliance and ensuring safety is the implementation of robust external auditing regimes. These audits not only fulfil HSE expectations but also streamline processes such as license renewals and continual improvements. This article delves into the strategic benefits of external audits specifically tailored for LARCs, emphasising how they enhance compliance and operational efficacy.


Understanding External Asbestos Audits


External asbestos removal audits are comprehensive evaluations conducted by independent specialists to assess the compliance of LARCs with health and safety regulations. These audits scrutinise various facets of asbestos removal—ranging from the initial risk assessment and removal procedures to the final disposal and all associated documentation. The goal is to ensure that all operations adhere to the stringent standards set forth by the HSE, thereby safeguarding both worker safety and public health.


Strategic Advantages of External Audits


Enhanced Detection of Non-Compliance Issues


External auditors bring an impartial perspective that can uncover compliance gaps which might be overlooked by internal teams accustomed to daily operations. This fresh set of eyes helps in identifying subtle non-conformances that could escalate into significant issues if unchecked.

Expert Insights and Recommendations


Good external auditors are not just faultfinders but also valuable advisors. With their deep expertise in asbestos removal and regulatory requirements, they provide actionable recommendations that align with best practices and legal standards. Their insights are invaluable in refining operational strategies and enhancing overall safety protocols.


Keeping Up with Regulatory Changes


Asbestos removal guidance and regulations are subject to regular updates as new health information and removal technologies emerge. Our auditors stay abreast of these changes, ensuring that LARCs can quickly adapt to new requirements without jeopardising compliance. With auditors who regularly audit LARCs for the key trade associations to the asbestos industry including ACAD and ASESA, our auditors are only ever 1 level removed from the HSE’s Asbestos Network Committee and Asbestos Working Group Committee, sometimes even being directly involved in the development of new and revised guidance.


Benefits of External Audits in Asbestos Management


Improving Safety Standards


The primary benefit of external audits is the elevation of safety and quality standards. By ensuring that all operations comply with the highest safety norms, LARCs can protect their workforce and mitigate risks associated with safety shortfalls and asbestos exposure.


Cost Effectiveness


External audits are a cost-effective solution for managing compliance. By preventing non-compliance, LARCs can avoid hefty fines and legal costs. Furthermore, these audits simplify the license renewal process, reducing the man-hours and administrative efforts typically required.

Building Stakeholder Confidence


By regularly engaging in external audits, LARCs demonstrate their commitment to continual improvement, safety and compliance, thereby building confidence among clients, regulatory bodies, and the public. This trust is crucial for maintaining a reputable business standing and securing ongoing contracts.


Implementing External Audits


To integrate external audits effectively, LARCs should start by selecting a qualified and experienced auditing firm that specialises in asbestos removal. Ideally they should have extensive experience directly in asbestos removal and not just a superficial understanding of the complexities associated with this extremely challenging task. Typically, analytical companies don’t have this level of understanding and whilst having a thorough and in-depth knowledge of the end result, rarely have the knowledge or experience to fully comprehend the journey to achieving it. 

Preparing for an audit involves organising documentation, briefing staff, and supporting the auditors to ensure they have full access to necessary information and sites. 


Whilst everyone wants to score the perfect audit, it’s the less than perfect audits that carry the most value for a client with a genuine commitment to continual improvement. It’s these audits that provide the feedback needed to make the necessary changes to systems, processes or individuals skills and knowledge to actually get better. 


Case Studies


A compelling case study involves one of our clients who, with our support, renewed their license without a single question raised by the HSE. The new license was granted within just two weeks of submission. This was despite some less than perfect HSE site inspections detailed on their COIN record. Our role was critical in carefully vetting and restructuring their responses to ensure they met all regulatory requirements and addressed the points raised during the site visits, with precision and clarity. This not only facilitated a smooth renewal process but also exemplified the value of having robust external audit support.


Conclusion


The strategic implementation of external asbestos audits offers multiple benefits for LARCs, from enhancing safety standards to streamlining regulatory processes. These audits serve as a critical tool in not just meeting but exceeding HSE expectations, ensuring that non-conformances are addressed proactively before they escalate into significant issues. As the asbestos removal industry continues to evolve, the role of external audits in maintaining compliance and leading industry practices becomes increasingly indispensable.


Call to Action


For LARCs aiming to enhance their compliance strategies and streamline their operational processes, investing in external asbestos audits is a prudent step forward. Contact us today to learn more about how our specialised quality and auditing services can help you stay ahead of compliance challenges and maintain your license efficiently and effectively.

Contact Now
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. Once you factor in: • Long-term environmental costs • Reputational risk • Rising disposal fees • And the public pressure for sustainable practices Thermal recycling is already starting to make sense. Especially when the output is something usable, not something buried. Licensed Contractors: You Don’t Get a Free Pass Either This isn’t just about clients or duty holders. Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARC’s) have a moral obligation here too. And I say that not from a place of opinion—but from first-hand experience, day in and day out for over two decades. Too often, LARCs put profits over progress. They default to landfill because it’s faster, easier to price up, and keeps their margins clean. They know the alternatives exist—but they don’t explore them, let alone offer them to their clients. When you hold a licence from the HSE, you’re not just a business—you’re a guardian of public health. That comes with responsibility. Choosing the most sustainable, forward-thinking disposal route should be part of that. Especially when the technology is available, proven, and legal. It’s time for the industry to stop hiding behind what’s convenient and start leading from the front. A Moral Obligation for Everyone Involved Whether you’re a: • Local authority managing public buildings • Developer under pressure to go green • Commercial landlord looking to reduce liability • Or a licensed contractor with influence over disposal routes —you have a responsibility to look beyond the cheapest or fastest option. If there’s a proven, safe, and more sustainable way to manage asbestos, you have a duty to understand it before choosing to ignore it. Because let’s be honest: “We didn’t know” isn’t going to wash when the public starts asking why we’re still filling landfill sites with a problem we already have the technology to eliminate. So What Can You Do Differently? 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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