Why Auditing Your Asbestos Removal Company is Critical for Your Health

Asbestos has been used for decades in various industries, including construction, automotive, and manufacturing, due to its fire-resistant properties and durability. However, it has been proven to be a hazardous material that can cause serious health problems, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos is now banned in many countries, but it can still be found in older buildings and products. If you have asbestos in your property and plan to have it removed, it's essential to choose a reputable asbestos removal company and conduct regular audits to ensure their competence and safety.

In this article, I'll explain why auditing your asbestos removal company is critical for your health and what to look for in an asbestos removal audit.

The dangers of asbestos exposure

Asbestos fibres are microscopic and can easily be inhaled or ingested. When they enter the body, they can cause damage to the lungs and other vital organs. Asbestos-related diseases can take years to develop, and symptoms may not appear until decades after exposure. The most common diseases associated with asbestos exposure are lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It has no cure, and the prognosis is often poor. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. The risk of developing these diseases increases with the duration and intensity of exposure to asbestos.

What is an asbestos removal audit?

An asbestos removal audit is a comprehensive review of an asbestos removal company's work practices, procedures, and documentation to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards. An audit can be conducted by an independent third party or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE is the national regulator for workplace health and safety in the UK and has the power to take enforcement action against companies that do not comply with the law. An asbestos removal audit typically covers the following areas:

• Training and competence of staff
• Risk assessments and method statements
• Control measures to prevent exposure to asbestos
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Waste management and disposal
• Air monitoring and clearance procedures
• Documentation and record-keeping

How auditing can prevent exposure to asbestos

Auditing your asbestos removal company can help prevent exposure to asbestos by identifying any gaps or deficiencies in their work practices and procedures. For example, an audit may reveal that the company has not provided adequate PPE to their staff or has not followed proper decontamination procedures. By addressing these issues, the risk of exposure to asbestos can be significantly reduced. Regular audits can also help to ensure that the company is keeping up to date with changes in regulations and industry best practices.

The benefits of an asbestos removal audit

There are several benefits to conducting an asbestos removal audit, including:

• Ensuring the safety of workers and the public
• Reducing the risk of exposure to asbestos
• Demonstrating due diligence and compliance with regulations
• Improving the quality of the asbestos removal work
• Identifying areas for improvement and best practices

An audit can also help to build trust and confidence in the company's services, which can be beneficial for business.

What to look for in an asbestos removal audit

When choosing an auditor for your asbestos removal company, it's essential to look for someone with the relevant qualifications and experience. The auditor should be able to provide evidence of their competence and knowledge of asbestos regulations and best practices. They should also be independent and impartial, with no conflict of interest.

During the audit, the auditor should use a systematic approach to review the company's work practices and procedures, including:

• Reviewing documentation and records
• Interviewing staff and management
• Observing work activities

After the audit, the auditor should provide a detailed report with findings and recommendations for improvement.

Common issues found during an asbestos removal audit

During an asbestos removal audit, several common issues may be identified, including:

• Inadequate risk assessments and method statements
• Insufficient training and competence of staff
• Poor control measures to prevent exposure to asbestos
• Inadequate PPE and decontamination procedures
• Inadequate waste management and disposal procedures
• Inadequate air monitoring and clearance testing
• Poor documentation and record-keeping

These issues can be addressed through corrective actions and improvements to work practices and procedures.

Why you should choose an HSE licensed asbestos removal company

When choosing an asbestos removal company, it's essential to choose one that is licensed by the HSE. The HSE licenses asbestos removal companies to ensure that they have the necessary skills, experience, and equipment to carry out asbestos removal work safely and effectively. Licensed companies are also required to follow strict regulations and codes of practice to protect workers and the public from exposure to asbestos. Choosing an HSE licensed company can give you peace of mind that the work will be carried out to a high standard and in compliance with regulations.

An HSE license doesn't automatically mean you're in safe hands. Due to the increasing pressures on the HSE, unannounced site visits and audits are becoming increasingly infrequent, meaning once a company has received it's license, the standard and quality of their removal practices can drastically decline, leaving Operatives, clients and the public at risk of exposure to asbestos fibre. Hiring a competent asbestos consultant to undertake an unannounced audit on your behalf could give you the peace of mind you need, in order to know you are in safe hands with your chosen Asbestos Removal Contractor.

How often should you independently audit your asbestos removal company?

The frequency of asbestos removal audits will depend on several factors, including the size and complexity of the work, the level of risk, and the company's compliance history. As a general rule, audits should be conducted at least monthly, or more frequently if there are significant changes to work practices or regulations.

Regular audits can help to identify any issues before they become serious problems and demonstrate ongoing due diligence.

The consequences of not auditing your asbestos removal company

Failing to audit your asbestos removal company can have serious consequences, including:

• Increased risk of exposure to asbestos for workers and the public
• Fines and enforcement action from the HSE
• Damage to your reputation and loss of business
• Legal action and compensation claims from affected parties

By conducting regular audits, you can help to prevent these consequences and ensure the safety of your workers and the public.

Frequently asked questions about asbestos removal audits

Q: How much does an asbestos removal audit cost?

A: The cost of an asbestos removal audit will depend on several factors, including the size and complexity of the work, the level of risk, and the auditor's qualifications and experience. You should always choose an auditor with the necessary qualifications and experience otherwise you risk not being given the right level of detail to ensure your and your employees safety.

Q: How long does an asbestos removal audit take?

A: The duration of an asbestos removal audit will depend on several factors, including the size and complexity of the work, the level of risk, and the auditor's approach. A thorough audit should take several hours to complete with a thorough desktop study carried out prior to the site audit.

Q: What happens if an asbestos removal company fails an audit?

A: If an asbestos removal company fails an audit, the auditor will provide a detailed report with findings and recommendations for improvement. The company will be required to address the issues identified and implement corrective actions. Failure to comply with the recommendations may result in fines and enforcement action from the HSE.

Conclusion - why auditing your asbestos removal company is critical for your health

Auditing your asbestos removal company is critical for your health and the safety of the public. Asbestos exposure can cause serious health problems, and it's essential to choose a reputable company and conduct regular audits to ensure their competence and safety. An audit can help to identify any gaps or deficiencies in the company's work practices and procedures and prevent exposure to asbestos. By choosing an HSE licensed company and conducting your own regular audits, you can demonstrate due diligence and compliance with regulations and help to ensure the safety of your workers and the public.

Whilst good asbestos removal companies will have a stringent regime of audits undertaken, they will only show you their best audits, the not so good ones will likely end up in the bottom of the bin and never see the light of day, let alone your inbox.

Consulo Compliance are experienced in all things asbestos and are especially well versed in auditing the competence of asbestos removal contractors. In fact, we audit on behalf of ACAD, the leading industry body for asbestos removal in the UK, meaning our auditors are always at the forefront of industry advances. By employing Consulo Compliance to undertake unannounced audits on your asbestos removal contractors will either give you the peace of mind that you are in safe hands or provide you with the necessary information that you can effectively manage your contractors.

The real question is, can you afford not to audit your asbestos removal contractors?