Cat Howard Discusses Effective Asbestos Management

Date: 26/06/24

iON’s Principal Asbestos Consultant, Catherine Howard, received a warm and enthusiastic welcome at the HAMMAR Midlands Technical Briefing in Telford, where she delivered an enlightening presentation on asbestos management. She delved into a number of pressing issues highlighted by the HSE’s recent “Asbestos – Your Duty” campaign and provided essential back-to-basics advice for duty holders in the housing sector.

There has been much debate within government departments, think tanks, industry associations and charities about the Control of Asbestos Regulations, specifically the alarming statistic that asbestos-related deaths have stagnated at around 5,000 per year for some time. The HSE launched its campaign to tackle this issue by offering duty holders useful information about managing safe sites and what to expect should a HSE inspector conduct a site visit.

Cat’s presentation served as a masterclass in best practice asbestos management, providing practical support to the duty holders responsible for complying with these regulations. Having worked extensively in the housing sector, Cat has seen her fair share of poor and dangerous practices. After recounting some of these incidents, she stressed the importance of proactive management and urged the audience to adopt robust, compliant procedures based on the Plan, Do, Check, Act philosophy.

Her guidance covered essential aspects of asbestos management. As well as giving detailed advice on asbestos inspection and risk assessment, she discussed effective ways of creating and maintaining accurate asbestos registers and asbestos management plans.

A lively question-and-answer session followed the presentation. It was rewarding to see such an engaged audience committed to continuous improvement. Much of the discussion focused on the performance of suppliers in the inspection and testing sector. Many expressed frustration at delays and inaccuracies, prompting Cat to offer practical advice on navigating these challenges. She also highlighted the benefits of having an independent body to monitor performance and maintain the highest standards.

Cat’s session reinforced the fact that good asbestos management saves lives. This was a valuable opportunity for industry professionals to come together to discuss practical performance improvements and best practices. We at iON Consultants extend our thanks to the HAMMAR Midlands team for inviting us to this engaging event. We look forward to continuing the conversation and contributing to the ongoing efforts to improve safety and compliance within the industry. If you would like Cat’s advice on enhancing your asbestos management protocols, please get in touch.

For those who missed the event, we recommend following the HSE's "Asbestos - Your Duty" campaign, as it offers informative resources and useful guidance for anyone involved in asbestos management. By working together to follow best practices and drive continuous improvements, we can make significant progress in reducing asbestos-related risks and saving lives.

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