The initial reaction from Hobbycraft was: “We have been made aware of a customer claim relating to laboratory testing of a children’s play sand product sold by Hobbycraft. While we have not been provided with the underlying samples or methodology, we take any such claim extremely seriously. Product safety is of the utmost importance to Hobbycraft. As a precaution, … Continued
ADAO, an independent nonprofit dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure through education, advocacy, and community engagement, brings together scientists, public health leaders, labor organizations, policymakers, advocates, and families to share trusted information and advance solutions that protect public health. “More than two decades after we launched Global Asbestos Awareness Week, the message remains clear. Asbestos exposure is … Continued
The demographics of Mesothelioma in the UK are changing. The HSE’s “Mesothelioma mortality by occupation statistics for 2025” document that the proportional rate of Mesothelioma mortality for carpenters and joiners is now roughly 5X the average of all occupation-related fatalities. That’s a statistically significant increase from roughly 4X the average in 2005, and the continuing … Continued
The conference comes at a time of heightened attention on asbestos safety in the UK. BOHS experts have recently warned about several emerging concerns, including the presence of asbestos contamination in children’s play sand, the rise of fraudulent asbestos surveyors, and gaps in national oversight of asbestos risks in schools. These developments have reinforced calls … Continued
Asbestos, a substance found in hundreds of thousands of UK buildings becomes cancer causing when it is disturbed, resulting in around 5,000 preventable deaths a year. Identifying the presence of asbestos requires specialist knowledge to safely survey, identify likely places where is present and to safely take samples. However, around 100 companies in the UK … Continued
Despite this, the Government’s Schools Rebuilding Programme and Education Estates Strategy make no substantive reference to asbestos, relying instead on the Condition Data Collection (CDC) process, which explicitly states that it “does not report on hazardous materials (principally asbestos)”. The Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FAAM), the professional body for those managing asbestos risks, … Continued
However, until relatively recently, any search on Google for asbestos survey services, especially in the non-commercial sector would likely present results from a network of companies all linked to a handful of individuals, some of whom have been the subject of regulatory intervention. I say companies, but many of the websites relate to company names … Continued
The new concerns about asbestos content in some batches of coloured play sand available on the market in Australia and New Zealand through major distribution chains have led to the closure of some schools and childcare facilities and a testing programme around play sand. FAAM is investigating the nature of the risk associated with potential … Continued
Current Awareness and Competence Some PDs currently operate with a basic level of asbestos awareness training, which is designed to help workers avoid disturbing asbestos. While this is a foundational requirement, it is far from adequate for a role that involves planning, managing, and coordinating health and safety in the pre-construction phase of projects that … Continued
While there are competent and ethical contractors out there, this article highlights common — and deeply concerning — issues I’ve witnessed when auditing or analysing the work of licensed asbestos removal contractors across the UK. This isn’t finger pointing at LARCs only. Where I have flagged bad practice and failed enclosures [SM1] the solution by … Continued
A modern AI-powered platform, Marvin, offers a proven, automated approach. By combining robotics and AI with standard phase contrast microscopy, Marvin can analyze significantly more samples than a human analyst with high accuracy. This technology addresses the coming analyst shortage, ensures consistent and accurate results, and future-proofs the industry. The company is now seeking strategic … Continued
Why is UKAS’s accreditation role in current discussion in relation to surveyors? The Work and Pensions Select Committee Sixth Report of Session 2021–22, The Health and Safety Executive’s approach to asbestos management (HC 560) on 21 April 2022 recommended: “HSE makes it mandatory for all people conducting asbestos surveys to be accredited by a recognised … Continued
DAY ONE by Nick Garland, FAAM committee member and Director Assure360 The first day’s amazing morning session was kicked off by keynote speaker John Cherrie, who asked “how did we get here?”, and more importantly, “where do we go next?”. Drawing on his lifetime of work modelling asbestos exposure, he provided insight into where we … Continued
Summary Although asbestos use was banned in Britain during the last century, its widespread use and long lag-time in causing disease means it still accounts for around 5,000 deaths annually. Current exposures are mainly in buildings with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), affecting teachers, office workers, maintenance staff and others. HSEs studies show modern removal practices result … Continued
The aim of the HSE Summit in March was to discuss and prioritise research needed to ensure informed decisions about preventing exposure to asbestos in buildings across Great Britain. It acknowledged the long-term goal of removing all asbestos, but also the limitations in capacity to do this safely and rapidly. The invite-only event included three … Continued
The asbestos surveying, asbestos removal and demolition industry is familiar with asbestos cement sheets containing 10% to 15% Chrysotile (white) asbestos used as permanent formwork in concrete, mastic expansion joints, bituminous floor sealing compounds, floor ducts, pipes and contaminated screeds etc. I wish to highlight these applications where ACM spacers may have been used as … Continued
With the UK falling behind the European Union in asbestos protection, the conference aims to address the urgent need for stronger asbestos management and further reduction of the acceptable exposure levels for workers and provides an essential platform to drive forward much-needed change. The conference programme features UK and international speakers, delivering global insights through … Continued
Criminal law regulates how and when the State is permitted to impose duties and sanctions on private persons. Civil law regulates how and when the State recognises the transactional relationships between private persons. The relationship between the two is complex and often the grist that feeds the mill of legal argument as well as lawyers … Continued
The Health and Safety Executive’s review findings uksiod_20120632_en.pdf (norac.org.uk) were made available in advance of the publication by the National Organisation of Asbestos Consultants (NORAC) last week. It highlighted that the regulations were effective and should be retained, but there was further scope to regulate work around asbestos surveying and removal. Asbestos is the single greatest cause … Continued
“We weren’t looking for this, but when we looked at the data, the figures leapt out at us. Almost two thirds of UK sites, based on a million samples taken over six months, showed that the asbestos left in the buildings as “safe” was actually now in a damaged state,” says Jonathan Grant, NORAC Chair … Continued