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Welcome to our August newsletter from Environmental Essentials. This Month Our Mission It is our intention to provide accurate workplace solutions and impartial advice whilst maintaining an uncompromising level of quality and Commitment that is second to none UKAS Accredited Surveys All our surveying services are fully UKAS accredited and are carried out to the highest standards, providing you with a cost-effective and efficient service. Find Out More Asbestos Removal Our experienced consultants provide a comprehensive management service Find Out More Free Asbestos Seminars During 2008 and 2009 EE have delivered FREE monthly seminars for Duty Holders and contracting organizations throughout the UK. Find Out More Other Training IOSHH Working Safely (1 day course) |
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 August's employee of the month goes to Becci Morrell. Becci who works part time in our accounts department has not only covered annual leave for other members of staff whilst undertaking her own job but has also contributed to other departments workloads.
HSE Asbestos Hidden Killer Campaign On 26 th October 2009, the HSE are launching their 3 rd Hidden Killer campaign which is designed to target tradesmen who are still at risk from exposure of asbestos. The 2 nd launch which was in October 2008 was built on the success of the previous campaign and was reported to have increased awareness from 33% to 81%. Once again, Environmental Essentials will be supporting the campaign and will be running 4 FREE seminars on the run up to the campaign based on The Duty to Manage Asbestos in Social Housing & Public Buildings which is the main area trades people work in. The seminar will also provide an update on legislation MDHS 100 which is due to take effect in September this year.
The Seminars will cover: What is Asbestos? Asbestos Related Health Effects Legislation and CAR 2006 Update on the Duty to Manage CAR in Practice:
Are you compliant? To reserve your free place contact Rosie on 0845 4569953 or email rgreer@environmentalessentials.co.uk. Alternatively, if you feel your company or organisation could benefit from attending a similar seminar, and would like us to do it at your establishment FREE OF CHARGE, or you would like to suggest a location or venue for a future event, why not contact Rosie as above.
As a commitment to raise the standards of Asbestos Management nationally, we are offering you the unique opportunity to receive a free web-enabled asbestos database. All you need to do to take advantage of this fantastic offer is to place an order with us to complete your statutory asbestos condition re-inspections and quote NL/Tracker351/2719. We can use your existing asbestos survey data and re-assess its condition whilst at the same time create a live on-line database that you can then use as your on-going management tool. We can interface with most asset management databases and tailor the database to your needs. For more information contact Richard Powner on 0845 4569953 or email rpowner@environmentalessentials.co.uk
UKATA Recommends: EMPLOYERS UNDERTAKE A FULL ASBESTOS AWARENESS COURSE EVERY 2 YEARS UKATA (United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association) has been formed to promote and establish the very best practises relative to the delivery of all types of asbestos related training by developing Asbestos Training Standards, Procedures and Disciplines from within its membership, and by working with official government bodies to establish National Standards, Procedures and Requirements.
Diary of Events Open Asbestos Awareness Training 8th September, 7th October Who should attend? All employees whose work could anticipate exposure to asbestos' (Reg.10 - Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006), this course is aimed at all delegates from company directors, managers and supervisors to tradesmen, engineers and contractors. Places are charged at just £75.00 + vat per person and includes refreshments.
Designed for those with duty to manage' responsibilities for asbestos management within the workplace and specifically for duty-holders under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. The course provides comprehensive information on how to assess whether premises contain asbestos, how to assess the risks from asbestos and how to manage those risks. Places are charged at £275.00 + Vat per person and includes refreshments and lunch. Further dates are scheduled
Open Non Licence Working Training (category 2 training) 22nd September and 26th October Who should attend? Anyone who may be required to undertake minor work on ACMs during their working day. Aimed at personnel such as roofing contractors, demolition workers and general maintenance staff. Places are charged at just £150.00 + vat per person and includes refreshments. For a full list of future course dates please click here. For a bespoke quote for your company for any training please contact Liz on 0845 4569953 or email ladams@environmentalessentials.co.uk
News : Early Day Motion 1590 - Asbestos in Domestic Dwellings Clapham, Michael - 03.06.2009 That this House welcomes the survey, As Safe as Houses, commissioned by UCATT and researched and written by Dr. Linda Waldman and Heather Williams; notes that the study has uncovered deficiencies in the management of asbestos in domestic dwellings; proposes the situation be improved and tenants and maintenance workers protected by extending the duty to manage asbestos to the internal part of the properties and all identified asbestos to be recorded in a register; recommends that all power tools carry a warning to remind users of the potential danger of asbestos and that apprenticeship training courses for construction workers contain modules on asbestos risks and protection procedures; and calls of the Health and Safety Executive to review its campaign to raise awareness of asbestos amongst maintenance workers to include some of the report's recommendations.
'Better' Test for Asbestos Cancer Asbestos exposure is linked to most cases of mesothelioma Scientists claim they have developed a more sensitive test for the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. The cancer develops long after exposure to asbestos but patients usually have a limited life expectancy. The test developed by a team at Oxford University looks at levels of a protein closely linked to the cancer in fluid around the lungs. A UK lung expert welcomed the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine study. A simple test which can exclude the diagnosis without resort to more invasive methods would be welcomed Dr Paul Beckett, British Thoracic Society Mesothelioma is an invariably fatal tumour found in the surface of the lung. While relatively rare, it is very difficult to treat because of its location and because it does not seem to respond well to chemotherapy. The disease has been found in people with no history of exposure to asbestos, but inhaling the dust released by the mineral when it is broken up is known to be a key risk factor. It has particularly affected tradesmen such as joiners, plumbers and electricians. Because it can take many decades for the disease to develop, experts expect the number of cases in the UK to peak at around 2,200 by 2013. Laws preventing occupational exposure to asbestos are in place in the developed world. There are no such restrictions in developing countries, however.
High levels There are many causes of this symptom, many of which are benign or linked to other types of cancer but over 90% of people with mesothelioma have the symptom. At the moment, doctors carry out pleural fluid cytology - a lab test which looks for cancerous cells. However the Oxford team say this is not a very sensitive test. Team members used pleural fluid samples from over 200 patients who had been referred to a specialist respiratory clinic. They then looked at levels of the protein meothelin - which is released in high quantities in the pleural fluid of most patients with mesothelioma. It was found that levels of the protein were almost six times higher in patients with the cancer than in those with secondary lung cancers, and 10 times greater than those with benign conditions. Rapid diagnosis "An earlier diagnosis also allows speedier interventions to relieve symptoms as well as initiation of other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy if appropriate. "Claims for worker's compensation may also be instigated once the diagnosis is confirmed." Dr Paul Beckett of the British Thoracic Society said: "A simple test which can exclude the diagnosis without resort to more invasive methods would be welcomed, allowing a more streamlined diagnostic pathway both for those with and without the disease. "Such a pathway would be expected to lead to more rapid diagnosis and therefore treatment and perhaps improve the outlook for this disease, as well as avoiding unnecessary tests in those who don't have mesothelioma." Professor Stephen Spiro, of the British Lung Foundation, said: "This study is an important step forward, as it could lead to earlier diagnosis and better treatment of mesothelioma which is vital as currently most patients diagnosed with this disease live less than 12 months." Environmental Essentials
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