Asbestos Knowledge Empire

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss is PVA a suitable material to use as an encapsulant? What is PVA?

Polyvinyl Acetate - best known as wood glue, white glue, carpenter's glue, school glue.

A number of microorganisms can degrade polyvinyl acetate. Most commonly, damage is caused by filamentous fungi—however algae, yeasts, lichens, and bacteria can also degrade polyvinyl acetate.

Find out the reasons why they don't recommend it's use as an encapsulant.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss points surrounding the risks and highlight points to consider when undertaking asbestos removal works within lofts.

Points to consider:

• Occupants below
• Decanting during the works or for longer periods, issues the client faces for rehousing office workers
• Risks carrying out the work
• Working tethers
• Fall arrest systems
• Restrictions in gaining access e.g. if the tether is to the main beam how can they reach the sides of the apex
• Working platforms and boarding out the lofts
• Gaining access to the pitch in the loft space – towers in the loft
• Fall arrest requirements below I netting? Can be negated by use of tethers to tools and equipment
• Issues around if there is a breach how can this be contained, and the rooms cleaned?
• Will the area be asbestos free at the end of the works?
• Depends on voids – can they be fully cleaned
• Can all surfaces be cleaned or will they need encapsulating?
• How any asbestos remaining may affect the future works e.g. fixing into the ceiling?

In this episode Neil and Ian talk through the information required between the asbestos surveyor and Client. Covering:

Information the surveyor needs from the client

• Details of buildings or parts of buildings to be surveyed and survey type(s).
• Details of building(s) use, processes, hazards, priority areas.
• Plans, documents, reports and surveys on design, structure and construction.
• Safety and security information: fire alarm testing, special clothing areas (eg
• food production).
• Access arrangements and permits.
• Contacts for operational or health and safety issues.

Information the client/dutyholder should expect from the surveyor

• Surveyor(s) identity, qualifications, accreditation or certification status, quality
• control procedures.
• References from previous work.
• Insurance (professional indemnity cover).
• Proposed scope of work.
• Plan of work, including plans for sampling or asbestos disturbance.
• Details of caveats.
• Report, including areas not accessed/not surveyed.

In today's episode Neil and Ian talk through the asbestos management journey. If you're a Property Manager or Duty Holder who needs to get a grip of your asbestos, this is the episode for you. The principles of the asbestos management journey covered:

• Desktop
• Surveys
• Assess Risk
• Management Plan
• Actions
• Inspect & Review

This episode has been filmed and is available on Youtube.

In this episode Neil and Ian discuss the current issue surrounding Brexit related to the asbestos industry. With the slowdown in the economy they've identified that some clients are holding off sending money on sorting out their asbestos problems.

In this episode Neil and Ian talk about asbestos insulating board and problems that can be encountered during its removal.

In this episode Neil and Ian talk about asbestos sprayed coatings and problems that can be encountered during its removal.

In this episode Neil and Ian mark the 20th year anniversary of the final asbestos ban in the UK and review the latest statistics surrounding asbestos related diseases.

Today's podcast is from a slightly different angle.

Neil and Ian are talking all about Health and Safety with an interview of John Crockett (IMaPS, SIIRSM RSP, ACIOB) who is the health and safety manager at Acorn. They discuss about how Johns career has developed and the changes he's seen over his long time in the industry. John gives advice on what he's seeing on a daily basis and how to combat these issues, plus the no1 thing that clients need to know about health and safety.

Plus a whole host of other chat in and around health and safety and asbestos.

In this episode Neil and Ian interview Robin Bennett founding Director of Start Software. Robin provides a real insight to how asbestos software has advanced over the last 20 years and where it's going.

Robin Bennett is the founding director at Start Software and has been creating asbestos systems for 20 years. The designer of SAM, Tracker and the market-leading Alpha Tracker systems, he has worked with most of the leading asbestos consultancies in the UK, Australia & New Zealand. Start Software's offices in Adelaide (South Australia) and Telford (West Midlands, UK) enable them to support and sell Alpha Tracker around the world to all sizes and types of organisation with an interest in asbestos.

Links to your website and social media sites

UK: www.start-software.com

Aus/NZ: www.alpha-tracker.com.au

blog: http://blog.start-software.com

Twitter: @startsoftware @alpha_tracker