Anthony Asbestos Consultancy
We are an independent asbestos consultancy based in Berkshire serving London and the Home Counties offering a range of asbestos and COVID-19 services.
We provide practical impartial advice for any domestic or commercial issues you or your business may encounter with the aim to provide cost effective solutions at competitive rates.
Our independence allows us to work without commercial bias, meaning that you can be confident that we are working solely for your benefit.
Anthony Asbestos Consultants are British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Certified.
Are You Legally Compliant?
Commercial property owners have a legal requirement under the Control Of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) to prevent the exposure of harmful asbestos fibres to building occupants or anyone who works within the building.
Regulation 4 of CAR 2012 is a 'Duty to Manage' asbestos within any non - domestic property, to protect anyone using or working on the premises from the risk to health that exposure to asbestos causes. As a 'Duty Holder' you must document how you are going to manage the risk from asbestos, this document is commonly known as an Asbestos Management Plan.
If you are planning any maintenance or building work on your premises including any work on plant or equipment that might contain asbestos, you will need a survey to identify any asbestos within your premises, plant or equipment and its location, type and condition. The asbestos risk should then be assessed, controlled, and managed. If you require assistance for asbestos compliance please contact us.
Pre Purchase Survey
Independent Asbestos Consultancy
An Independent asbestos consultancy based in Berkshire serving London and the Home Counties offering a range of asbestos services
This type of survey is for exactly as the title indicates, for anyone purchasing a property. It became quite clear to us early on that this was a much needed type of survey for homebuyers. With more and more Chartered Surveyors highlighting potential asbestos containing materials within their reports it was key that we produced a report that covers these areas and looks for further materials.
This survey is a non-intrusive survey therefore no damage is caused to the property. The main reason for this is that the vendor of the property is unlikely to allow us to undertake a fully intrusive survey (Asbestos Refurbishment & Demolition Survey) at this point when you, the buyer do not own the property. Unfortunately due to this being a non intrusive survey there is the possibility of asbestos containing materials still being present within the fabric of the building.
What Is Asbestos?
When Am I At Risk?
Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos is a general name given to several naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have crystallised to form fibres. Asbestos fibres do not dissolve in water or evaporate, they are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation and are mechanically strong. Asbestos is generally divided into two sub-groups; serpentine and amphiboles. Serpentine asbestos (chrysotile or white asbestos) was the most commonly used type of asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos fibres are soft, flexible and curved and far less hazardous than the amphibole type. Amphibole fibres (crocidolite -blue asbestos, amosite- brown asbestos, tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite) are brittle fibres and are often rod- or needle-like in appearance. It is this form that is more hazardous to health. Crocidolite was the most commonly used amphibole asbestos in the past. General points about asbestos: asbestos is a general name given to several naturally occurring minerals that have crystallised to form fibres asbestos fibres are strong, heat and chemical resistant and do not dissolve in water or evaporate there are 2 sub-groups; serpentine (white asbestos) and amphiboles (including blue and brown asbestos) of which serpentine was the more commonly used prior to use being banned asbestos was used in many products including insulation material for buildings, boilers and pipes; car brakes and floor tiles the importation, supply and use of all asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999; the amphibole type has been banned since 1985 amphibole (blue and brown) asbestos is much more hazardous than serpentine (white) asbestos asbestos is not considered harmful when in large pieces and undamaged when damaged asbestos can release smaller fibres that can be breathed in or swallowed breathing in asbestos can lead to a condition called asbestosis that leads to an increased susceptibility to cancer asbestos has been classified as being carcinogenic to humans Uses of asbestos The properties of asbestos made it an ideal material for use in a number of products, including insulation material for buildings, boilers and pipes; car brakes and floor tiles, insulating board to protect buildings and ships against fire; asbestos cement for roofing sheets and pipes. Due to the risks to health following inhalation exposure to asbestos the importation of blue and brown asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1985. This ban was extended to include white asbestos in 1999. Asbestos and the environment Asbestos is widespread in the environment. It may enter the atmosphere due to the natural weathering of asbestos-containing ores or damage and breakdown of asbestos-containing products including insulation, car brakes and clutches, ceiling and floor tiles and cement.
Workers involved in refurbishment, maintenance and other similar trades, could be at risk of exposure to asbestos during their work. This includes: Heating and ventilation engineers Demolition workers Carpenters and joiners Plumbers Roofing contractors Painters and decorators Plasterers Construction workers Fire and burglar alarm installers Shop fitters Gas fitters Computer and data installers General maintenance staff eg caretakers Telecommunications engineers Architects, building surveyors, and other such professionals Cable layers Electricians This list does not include all occupations at risk from potential exposure to asbestos. When am I most at risk? You are most at risk when: the building you are working on was built before the year 2000 you are working on an unfamiliar site asbestos-containing materials were not identified before the job was started asbestos-containing materials were identified but this information was not passed on by the people in charge to the people doing the work you haven't done a risk assessment you don't know how to recognise and work safely with asbestos you have not had appropriate information, instruction and training you know how to work safely with asbestos, but you choose to put yourself at risk by not following proper precautions, perhaps to save time or because no one else is following proper procedures Remember you can't see or smell asbestos fibres in the air the effects of being exposed to asbestos take many years to show up - avoid breathing it in now people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer asbestos is only a danger when fibres are made airborne and breathed in as long as the asbestos is in good condition and it is located somewhere where it can't be easily damaged then it shouldn't be a risk to you
Asbestos still kills around 5000 workers each year, this is more than the number of people killed on the road. Around 20 tradesman die each week as a result of past exposure However, asbestos is not just a problem of the past. It can be present today in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000. When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases. These diseases will not affect you immediately; they often take a long time to develop, but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything. This is why it is important that you protect yourself now. Asbestos can cause the following fatal and serious diseases: Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancer which affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract (peritoneum). It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal. Asbestos-related lung cancer Asbestos-related lung cancer is the same as (looks the same as) lung cancer caused by smoking and other causes. It is estimated that there is around one lung cancer for every mesothelioma death. Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over many years. This condition can cause progressive shortness of breath, and in severe cases can be fatal. Pleural thickening Pleural thickening is generally a problem that happens after heavy asbestos exposure. The lining of the lung (pleura) thickens and swells. If this gets worse, the lung itself can be squeezed, and can cause shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest.
There are only two surveys to be considered, a Management Survey and Refurbishment & Demolition Survey although you can have a mixture of the two.
Survey Overview
This survey is for when you need specific material or area analysed. This isn't a full survey but will bring the material out safely to be analysed at an UKAS Accredited Laboratory. Get in touch with our team to find out more about asbestos sampling.
Asbestos Sampling
Management Survey
Residential Survey
A management survey is the standard type of survey. The purpose is to find any materials that might contain asbestos and determine whether they might be disturbed with construction or other reasons. This survey involves some sampling and testing.
This non intrusive survey is for owners/occupiers of properties that want peace of mind knowing if they might have asbestos containing material in the property. It will determine whether day to day life will expose you to asbestos fibres.
A pre purchase survey as the name suggest it for before you purchase a property. This was we can survey and with a non intrusive survey and see if there might be any asbestos containing material with out damaging the property.
Pre Purchase Survey
Types Of Survey
There are two types of surveys, a management survey and a refurbishment and demolition survey. You can book either type of survey with us to determine if you have any asbestos containing materials on the site.
This survey is needed before any refurbishment/demolition is carried out. This is used to locate all ACMs in the area where the refurbishment work will take place or in the whole building if demolition is planned.
Refurb & Demolition
Our
Research
We are confident our rigorous processes surpass current updated guideline requirements publishedby the Health And Safety Executive (HSE) and Public Health England (PHE) for managing COVID-19 contamination.
Our
Findings
We already utilise Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and the procedures developed for working in a highly hazardous asbestos environment are in line with what is required for protection from COVID-19 contamination.
Our
Method
Our proven environmentally
friendly chemical free decontamination service uses high specification dry steam vacuums heated to temperatures up to 160 degrees using only water and removing the need of wiping.
This is followed by a process using Silver Ion stabilised Hydrogen Peroxide which leaves oxygen and water as a by-product.
Our COVID-19 Service
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99.99% of harmful pathogens inactivated from air and surfaces.
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Virucide, Bactericide, Sporicide.
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Fungicide, algaecide, amoebicide.
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Highly effective biofilm remover.
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Proven efficacy and globally approved.
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100% Biodegradable and environmentally friendly.