Our part in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 is to carry out monitoring to ensure asbestos fibre levels in air are kept to a minimum and within a controlled environment. Our team of highly trained analysts can provide a variety of monitoring techniques dependant on the type of work being carried out.

These include: Smoke Testing Leak Monitoring Personal Monitoring 4-Stage Certificate of Reoccupation Reassurance Monitoring Background Monitoring Clearance testing for decontamination units

Accreditation and Regulations

All our analysts work to the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance 'Work with Asbestos Insulation, Asbestos Coating and Asbestos Insulation Board Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and the HSE document 'Asbestos : The analysts' guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures' HSG 248.

ADMAS Ltd has held UKAS accreditation for fibre counting since 1990. We have been part of the Regular Inter-laboratory Counting Exchange (RICE) scheme since its introduction and have kept high standards throughout. All asbestos samples are evaluated in accordance with current HSE documents HSG 248. ADMAS also hold UKAS accreditation for air sampling and visual inspections, part of which requires all analysts' to hold P403 and P404 certification.

In addition, our analysts are trained in-house to high standards which are regularly audited both internally and externally. Training is an on-going process which is continually updated. Our Health & Safety policy is also tightly adhered to with all analysts completing a variety of courses including 'Working Safely', 'Working at Height', 'Confined Space Entry including Escape Breathing Apparatus', CITB and CCNSG 'Safety Passport Scheme'.

Asbestos Basics

Asbestos is a mineral that was, and in some cases still is, commonly mined in various countries of the world including parts of Canada, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In its unrefined state asbestos appears as a fibrous rock. This is processed to produce a cotton-wool-like fibrous material that can then be used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products e.g. Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM's).
Asbestos is often categorised into three main types, these being White Asbestos (Chrysotile), Brown Asbestos (Amosite) and Blue Asbestos (Crocidolite). Unfortunately asbestos cannot be recognised by its colour alone and must be identified using laboratory techniques which are detailed on our Asbestos Identification web page. It is important to recognise that all types of asbestos are hazardous to health and should be treated accordingly, if you are unsure it is much safer to presume that asbestos is present until it can be proved otherwise.
The dangers with asbestos arise when asbestos fibres, which are so small they are invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen using microscopic techniques, become airborne. This is when they can be inhaled through normal breathing and lodged in the lungs. Here they can cause Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma and / or Asbestosis, all of which are incurable. Asbestos related diseases usually take between 15 and 60 years to develop and show themselves. After diagnosis it can be a matter of months until they prove fatal.
It should be noted that ACM's are usually only a hazard if they are disturbed or damaged causing the release of asbestos fibres into the air. If an ACM is in a good condition and adequately sealed, usually by way of paint (we recommend that a licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor carry out his process), it does not present an immediate cause for concern, however an asbestos register should be implemented. For further details please refer to ADMAS Ltd Asbestos Surveys web page.

To minimise the exposure of the public and employees to asbestos fibre, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have implemented strict guidance and regulations. These restrict work activities on and with Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM's). Included in these regulations are work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and asbestos insulation board, under the 'Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006'.
Any work on or near any of the ACM's listed in these regulations must only be carried out by a licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor under controlled conditions.
Asbestos fibres can be released by the slightest of damage. A frequently repeated relatively light scratch on the surface of an untreated asbestos insulation board or the bumping of an asbestos 'Limpet' sprayed beam for example, can create fibre levels which exceed the action levels for exposure to asbestos fibre accumulated over a period of time.

Once asbestos fibres have been released from the ACM's they remain airborne for a period of time before they settle as dust. They can then be disturbed by normal working activities, become airborne again and spread on air currents throughout the building. This process is continually repeated and can only be rectified by employing a licensed asbestos removal contractor to carry out full decontamination of the area and prevent further release at the source. Until then building occupants, maintenance staff and visitors are continually exposed to potentially deadly asbestos fibre levels but may be unaware of the invisible dangers. So, before you drill into a suspicious-looking board, remember that not only is it your health you are putting at risk but that of every other person in the building.