Our September Safety Campaign

The Hidden Dangers of Asbestos

At HF, the health and safety of our team and clients are at the forefront of everything we do. As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, each month our Health & Safety team provides crucial information and toolbox talks to ensure our staff is well-informed about potential risks on-site. This September, we are focusing on the risks associated with asbestos—an often overlooked but highly dangerous material.

Understanding Asbestos and Its Risks

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials until its risks became recognised. Although its use has been banned or heavily restricted in many countries, asbestos can still be found in buildings constructed before the year 2000. The fibres released from damaged or disturbed asbestos materials pose serious health risks, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. These conditions often develop many years after exposure, making asbestos an insidious threat.

At HF, we continually stress the importance of vigilance and awareness to our team when working on sites of the risks. It is not always immediately apparent where asbestos might be present, and disturbing it unknowingly can lead to harmful exposure.

Asbestos Awareness and Management Procedure

Our Management of Asbestos Procedure is designed to ensure the safety of our employees and clients by effectively managing asbestos risks on-site. The Asbestos Management Procedure provides clear guidelines for the control of asbestos containing materials within company premises and during any work activities. It outlines the responsibilities of employees, supervisors, and contractors to prevent inadvertent exposure to asbestos, ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Our Service Desk is the first point of contact for asbestos information within HF premises while our Line Managers are responsible for obtaining asbestos surveys from clients ensuring employees and contractors are aware of any asbestos risks; verifying that all workers have current asbestos awareness certifications. Our Estimators must request asbestos information from clients and ensure proper surveys are conducted before any work begins.

There are two types of surveys:

• Management Survey: Ensures ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials) are managed during normal operations.
• Refurbishment/Demolition Survey: Required before any significant structural work, to locate all ACMs and ensure safe handling.

No work should proceed without confirming the absence of asbestos or implementing necessary safety measures. In the event of an uncontrolled asbestos release, work must stop immediately. The area should be secured, and emergency procedures followed, including decontamination and notifying supervisors. Specialist contractors will be employed to clean the area, and air sampling will confirm safety before work resumes.

Asbestos Training

All HF employees are trained in asbestos awareness annually, ensuring they understand the risks and how to protect themselves and others. We DO NOT allow work that involves direct contact with asbestos materials.

A Recent Example: Vigilance Pays Off

Recently, one of our engineers was on-site for a routine inspection when they identified materials that appeared to contain asbestos. Recognising the potential danger, the engineer immediately halted work and notified his supervisor, who then informed the client. While the client had an asbestos survey, it did not identify the presence of an offcut asbestos insulation board in a ceiling void.

Thanks to our engineer’s keen eye and adherence to safety protocols, the situation was managed swiftly and safely. The client was deeply appreciative of our prompt action, which not only safeguarded the health of everyone on-site but also prevented further health risks for employees of the business in the future. This incident underscores the importance of our commitment to safety—not just for our employees but also for the clients we serve. Safety is always our priority. Individually and collectively, we are all responsible.

Safety is Our Core Value

At HF, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s one of our core values. We are dedicated to ensuring that every member of our team is equipped with the knowledge and tools to work safely and responsibly. The identification of asbestos on-site by our engineer is a testament to the effectiveness of our ongoing safety training and our culture of vigilance.

Asbestos awareness is crucial, and we encourage everyone to stay informed and cautious. If you suspect that asbestos may be present on a site, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Instead, report it to your supervisor or the Health & Safety team immediately.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed

As we continue to uphold the highest safety standards, remember that the best defence against risks like asbestos is knowledge and awareness. Individually and collectively, we are all responsible.

Thank you for your commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. Let’s continue to work together to ensure that safety remains a top priority in everything we do.