Oracle Solutions Operations Director – Neil Munro is to chair this years ATaC seminar in Birmingham. This year’s series of seminars will be focussing on the various changes within the asbestos industry that have happened in the last 12 months and will be covering various pertinent industry specific topics. Neil said -

I am privileged to have been asked to chair this years ATaC Birmingham seminar. As part of the ATaC Management Committee I am passionate about raising the standards within the asbestos industry. ATaC is the UK’s leading association for asbestos testing and consultancy specialists and they have secured great knowledgeable speakers for these seminars.

Throughout the event there will be industry experts covering various current hot topics. To summarise each event will cover the following topics: -

• ATaC Review - Jonathan Francis – ATaC Chair & Riverside Environmental
• Asbestos in Soils – Rob Blackburn – Knights Research
• HSE Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 – Dr Martin Gibson – Health & Safety Executive
• UKAS Accreditation Updates - Jon Murthy/Frank Smith – United Kingdom Accreditation Service
• HSE Costs Recovery Scheme & other hot topics - Fiona Gill – DAC Beachcroft
• AIS – Asbestos in Schools – Michael Lees – Campaigner
• HSE 2011 Project - Jane Beckmann – Health & Safety Executive (Retail clients & undertaking asbestos removal during refurbs)

The days will be broken up into sections to allow amble time to take in all of the information being presented. There will be programmed breaks to ensure comfort for the delegates and allow time to mingle and network.  

If you want to stay ahead on what’s current within the asbestos industry, book your seminar place today. Click on the link below and download a booking form.

Download Asbestos Industry Update Seminars 2012 Booking Form in PDF format.

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The current Asbestos Regulations (The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006) are being replaced by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The new regulations were laid before parliament on 5th March 2012 and come into force on 6th April 2012.

So who do these new regulations effect? 

Everyone who owns, manages or has repair and maintenance responsibilities within buildings which contain asbestos. It also effects contractors who work with asbestos,

The new asbestos regulations are being introduced as a result of the European Commission issuing a “reasoned opinion.” The European Commission concluded that the UK government had not fully implemented a directive which covers the protection of workers from the risks of exposure to asbestos at work.

The amendments in the new regulations will introduce an additional category of work with asbestos. The three categories will be Licensed, Non Licensed and a new category of Notifiable Non Licensed. A summary of the requirements of each category is detailed below:-

The new Approved Code of Practice for the regulations has not been issued by the Health and Safety Executive, however information will be released via the HSE website. The following statement was issued through the HSE Web Communities portal.

The HSE’s web site is in the process of being updated to provide information on the new Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 which will come into force on 6 April 2012. The website changes will go live overnight on Thursday the 5th of April. There will be guidance on the new Regulations and information on the new on-line form which will be used to notify  notifiable non-licensed work. There will also be a chart showing examples of different types of work (licensed asbestos work, notifiable non-licensed asbestos work and non-licensed asbestos work). See the main HSE Asbestos page for updated information.

The notification form for the new notifiable non licensed asbestos works will be online and similar to the existing ASB5 form used by licensed asbestos contractors. The changes to the regulations will also mean that workers undertaking notifiable non licensed asbestos works will need to undertake a medical examination. This examination will be required every three years, however there will be a three year transition period before enforced.

If you would like further information on how the new asbestos regulations will effect you, call us on 0844 800 0801

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A report from the All-Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health has exposed the level of danger from asbestos in Britain’s Schools.

75% Of School Buildings Contain Asbestos

The report, sent to MPs and Peers, shows that more than 75 per cent of Britain’s state schools contain asbestos. The report states that much of that is badly maintained meaning that children and staff are regularly exposed to this killer fibre.

Over 140 teacher’s have died from mesothelioma in the past ten years. An unknown number of cleaners, administrative staff and caretakers have also died. The number of children who have died as a result of exposure to asbestos is unknown but in the US it was estimated that for every teachers death nine children will die. That would mean that over 100 people die every year in the UK as a result of exposure when they were at school.

ITV News Asbestos Interview

Many of the audited schools thought they were compliant and current. In reality and like so many other schools across the country they were unaware of the need for asbestos awareness training, in date asbestos survey reports, which must have been updated in the last twelve months and the need for asbestos management plans.

The report highlights the case for urgent attention and outlines six clear and simple reccomendations about how we can prevent future exposure in our schools.

ITV Anglia reported on the recent release of the document by interviewing Oracle Solutions and filming them undertaking an asbestos audit at one of the three hundred and fifty schools in Northamptonshire that are due to be audited and are believed to contain asbestos. Northamptonshire County Council commissioned the audits as part of a proactive approach to asbestos however it will be the duty of each individual school to carry out recommended actions in line with the audits and parliamentary report.

For more information on the report or to book a free asbestos audit contact us now.

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ATAC (Asbestos Testing And Consultancy Association) has issued a press statement following the release of the Asbestos In Schools Parliamentary Report. 

We are in agreement with the statement that properly-managed asbestos presents little risk. However, we can provide literally hundreds of examples each year that we personally have first-hand knowledge of, where effective management controls have either broken down, or were not present at all. Regardless of any subsequent enforcement action, many of those failures in effective management will have resulted in an exposure that may cause an incurable cancer in those exposed, sometimes decades later.. Read the full statement.

The statement again reinforces the urgent need for the government to take action and deal with the current asbestos problem in British schools. ATAC have spear headed the ‘Asbestos In Schools Campaign’ for a number of years now and is part of the Asbestos in Schools Group (AiS). AiS is a group of organizations and individuals who are concerned about the problem of asbestos in schools. The aim is to make schools safe from the dangers of asbestos by improving asbestos management.

For further information on asbestos in schools call Oracle Solutions on 0844 800 0801. Alternatively you can contact any ATAC member. Member details can be found on the ATAC website

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Refer someone to Oracle Gas for your free kindle

Our gas department, Oracle Gas, are giving away free Kindles!

To get yours just recommend a friend or family member for the latest domestic boiler offer, see below, and they will send you a free new generation Kindle e-reader.

The new generation Kindle is:

• 30% lighter than before, less than 170 grams
• 18% smaller body, same 6″ screen size – fits in your pocket
• Most advanced E Ink display, reads like paper
• Built-in Wi-Fi – Get books in 60 seconds
• 10% faster page turns for seamless reading

Great news! If your house needs a new boiler and you take advantage of the latest offer, you still get a free Kindle.

Latest Domestic Boiler Offer:

• Replacement of your old combi boiler with a new Worcester-Bosch Boiler. Oracle Gas are registered installers
• Includes a full free 7 year warranty. This covers the cost of repair (parts and labour) in the unlikely event of a breakdown
• Includes supply and installation of a new boiler flue and programmable timer
• Includes a full chemical clean of your heating system for a long term protection against scale and sludge. This improves the efficiency of your boiler and reduces your gas bills
• Includes, free supply and installation of  insulation for your loft. This means you use your boiler less which saves you money and helps protect the environment

If you purchased this package from any other major gas installer it would cost you £5,500.

We are offering the same package including VAT, with no hidden extras for: £2,775   that’s less than half price!

We can offer this discount for a limited time due to our introductory offer from Worcester-Bosch for becoming a registered installer and supplier.

Offer ends 31st March 2012

*All you need to do to claim your Kindle is make sure that when whoever you recommend makes their purchase they mention the ‘Kindle Offer’ and leave us your details .

*To qualify for the free Kindle offer a full boiler install offer purchase must be made.

Contact Oracle Gas now on: 0844 8004048 and take advantage of this amazing offer.

Or email: mail@oraclegas.com

web: www.oraclegas.com

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Asbestos was actually mined within the United States up until 2002.  The United States now heavily depends on imports from Canada and Zimbabwe to meet manufacturing needs. Import Sources 2007–2010 show Canada provided 92%,  Zimbabwe, 6%, and undisclosed at 2%.

The largest U.S mines were in Arizona, North Carolina, Vermont and California

Asbestos consumption in the United States was estimated to be 1,100 tons, based on asbestos imports through to July 2011. Asbestos cement roofing products were estimated to account for about 60% of  U.S. consumption, the chloralkali industry (industrial process for the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution) about 35% and unknown applications 5%.

The use of asbestos in 2010 and the preceding 5 years was the lowest it has been in the United States since 1909. Although in 2011  U.S. consumption increased by 6%. Based on current trends, U.S. asbestos consumption is likely to remain near the 1,000-ton level in the near future. All the asbestos used in the United States is chrysotile (white) asbestos.

Find out about asbestos history by visiting our web site. Don’t forget to leave a comment on our news pages.

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The asbestos legal case began to breakdown after the award had been made last year when defense lawyers asked the Supreme Court to remove the presiding judge because he allegedly neglected to disclose that his parents had been involved in similar asbestos litigation against one of the same companies.

The case from Smith County, Mississippi, involved a lawsuit filed by Thomas Brown, who claimed he had inhaled asbestos dust while mixing drilling mud sold and manufactured by Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. and Union Carbide Corporation.

A Union Carbide spokesman said in an email to The Associated Press that the company was pleased with the verdict because it “was outrageous and completely unsupported by the facts and applicable law.” A retrial has been set for April but the venue for the trial has not been determined.

Payout to asbestos victim

Brown, who was 48 at the time of the award last May, said he was diagnosed with asbestosis and required to take oxygen 24-hours a day. Asbestosis is very different from the currently more common asbestos disease mesothelioma. The jury awarded Brown US$300 million in punitive damages and US$22 million in actual damages. Brown’s lawyer said it was the biggest asbestos award ever to a single plaintiff.

Union Carbide claimed that the judge was a practicing attorney when his father and mother sued Union Carbide, seeking US$1 million for emotional distress. The company said that after the trial, it “learned that Judge’s father had filed two asbestos lawsuits, one of which remains pending; and that both the Judge’s father and mother had settled asbestos claims with UCC and other defendants based on a diagnosis of asbestosis”

The world’s legal community will watch the retrial in anticipation. The final ruling will be of great interest no matter what verdict or payout is returned.

If you or anyone you know have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease contact us for details of where you can go for further information and advice.

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Pleural Thickening

Pleural thickening is when the pleural membrane (two-layered membrane surrounding the lungs) thickens as a result of the chronic irritation and inflammation that asbestos fibres cause when they are inhaled and lodge in the lungs. This disease causes pain and breathlessness because the lung has difficulty in expanding and contracting. This reduces quality of life and there is presently no cure. Pleural thickening is generally regarded as non terminal, however is seen as an indicator of asbestos exposure and therefore one of the more serious asbestos related diseases may develop. More serious and terminal asbestos diseases include asbestosis, asbestos related lung cancer and mesothelioma.

There is normally around a 1 – 5% risk of developing a further asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma following pleural thickening. It can take around 10 – 20 years from first exposure to asbestos until pleural thickening is first detected on a chest x-ray.

Mr Davies - Asbestos Victim

Glynn Davies lived with his wife Adele and their daughter, Mia. On December 23 he was admitted to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, but managed to come home to celebrate Christmas Day. He had returned home to see his daughter Mia open her presents. Glynn returned to hospital later that night and sadly died there on the 27th. Our thoughts and best wishes are Glynns family and friends.

Preventing Exposure

Did you know that under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, asbestos awareness training is required to be given to employees whose work could foreseeably expose them to asbestos. This training is for those persons who are liable to disturb asbestos while carrying out their normal everyday work, or who may influence how work is carried out.

We would always recommend using a UKATA (United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association) registered member for any level of asbestos training. UKATA sets standards in asbestos training and ensures that its members meet those standards.

If you would like to learn more about pleural thickening and other asbestos related diseases, get a quote now and book a place on one of our asbestos awareness training courses.

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The Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) has recently stated that they are close to completing a feasibility study. The study will pave the way for the resumption of asbestos mining operations at the defunct Shabaine-Mashava mines in Zimbabwa.

The mine used to employ around 3,000 workers prior to it’s closure during the collapse of the Zimbabwe government in 2008. Before suspending mining operations, Shabaine-Mashava mines produced about 200,000 tonnes of asbestos every year. The mine was once one of Africa’s biggest asbestos producers and was owned by UK based company Turner and Newell. Asbestos was sold from this mine to markets in the United Kingdom, United States, India, Iran, China and Indonesia. It is estimated that the mine still holds enough reserves to continue mining operations for a further 20 years. ZMDC believe they will be ready to commence mining operations 90 days after completing the feasibility study.

Although the asbestos industry is still huge and worldwide, production of asbestos globally is slipping,  having fallen around 5 per cent to just below two million tonnes in 2010. Russia accounts for around half of that volume, followed by China at about 18 per cent and Brazil with 14 per cent. Sales of asbestos are also falling worldwide, as more developed countries express concerns about the health risks associated with its use.

If you would like to learn more about the asbestos industry and legacy check out our about asbestos pages.

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As another victim of the asbestos legacy goes public, how do employers in 2012 ensure they are not exposing their employees to deadly asbestos fibres?

A former British Leyland worker (Wilfred Allen) who died from mesothelioma may have been exposed to asbestos whist working at the Birmingham plant between 1962 and 1976. Wilfred died in April 2009 aged 72. Our best wishes are for Wilfred’s family.

Wilfred’s time working at the former British Leyland plant places him directly in the boom years for asbestos use. Asbestos materials such as asbestos loose insulation, asbestos sprayed coatings, asbestos thermal insulation, asbestos boards, asbestos cement and so on, all may have been used within the construction of the building.

Within the UK asbestos manufacture and usage peaked within the building, shipping and rail industries between 1940 and 1970. During this period it is estimated that 8 to 10 million tonnes per year of asbestos materials were imported, manufactured and used.

From 1970 onwards there was a steady decline in the use of asbestos as the knowledge of the health effects associated with the material increased. Although there was a steady decline, we must all be aware that millions of tonnes of asbestos were used right up until the full UK prohibition of asbestos in November 1999.

Sadly for Wilfred his working life was outside the protection of the current asbestos regulations which are in force today.

As an employer, what can you do to prevent your employees being exposed to asbestos in your premises?

Well comply with the law of course. Does that sound easy??

Well it actually is. Below I have put together 8 simple steps to help you protect your staff and aid you in complying with the law.

Step 1 – You need to identified if there are any asbestos containing materials present. If so you need to record its amount, where it is and what condition it is in.

This can be achieved by having an asbestos survey carried out.

Step 2 – You need to presume that materials contain asbestos unless you have evidence that they do not.

Guilty until proven innocent. The excuse of “I didn’t know it was asbestos” doesn’t protect you from prosecution.

Step 3 – You must keep an up-to-date record of the location and condition of the asbestos materials; or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos.

Regular checks on all asbestos materials should be carried out by a competent person. This is usually in the form of an asbestos re-inspection survey. Ensure that records are kept of any removals or repairs that may be undertaken.

Step 4 – You must assess the risk of anyone being exposed to asbestos fibres from the materials identified in your premises.

These assessments are usually referred to as priority risk assessments. Priority risk assessments look at the likelihood of someone disturbing the asbestos materials and therefore the likely hood of that person being exposed to asbestos.

Step 5 – You must prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed.

A written plan needs to be prepared which sets out how the risks from any asbestos are to be managed. Managing the risk means making sure that no one can come to any harm from asbestos within the premises. The asbestos management plan is a document with legal status.

Step 6 – You must take the necessary steps to put the plan into action.

What ever you decide to do to manage your asbestos risk, you must ensure it is completed. Sounds like common sense, however you’d be amazed at how many people write their best intentions, but never see them through.

Step 7 – You must periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up-to-date.

Every six months you must review your asbestos management plan to check that it still works. Are your risk assessments correct? Is the plan relevant? If not you may need to re-look and amend.

Step 8 – You must provide information on the location and condition of the asbestos materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.

All of your asbestos records must be made available to the relevant people working within your premises. All staff, contractors and regular building users etc will require access to your asbestos records.

Follow these steps and you too can help prevent workers being exposed to asbestos within your premises.

If you need help with managing your asbestos call us on 0844 800 0801. We give free advice to everyone, any time.

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