Latest News

4th September 2009

Unlicensed asbestos removal will be penalised warns HSE

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning the building trade that companies and contractors will face prosecution if they remove asbestos without a licence.

August 2009

Core Surveys offer 20 FREE asbestos awareness training places

As part of our ongoing asbestos awareness drive directed at tradespeople Core Surveys are offering a FREE asbestos awreness training morning on November 19th 2009.

The session will be held at Crickhowell resource & Information Centre, Powys from 9:30am - 12pm and will cover all aspects of asbestos awareness and working with unlicensed products. Those participating will be presented with a certificate of attendance. This certificate can be used as proof that Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (2006) are being complied with.

There will be 20 places available and all course materials will be provided.

To book a place on the course or for further information please contact Laura Cooper on 01873 832977.

5th July 2009

We're 5 years old!

Core Surveys Ltd celebrates its 5th birthday on 5th July. We've come a very long way since 2004 and would like to thank our clients, friends and staff for their continued support.

Heres to the next 5 years!

 

May 2009

Our first Core Surveys Wedding!

We had our first Core Surveys wedding last month, which brought a tear to our throats and a lump to our eyes. Our MD, Emma, married her young man, Drew, and Simon, our Financial Director, was one of the lucky guests. Being the organised soul he is, he wrote a comprehensive report of the event...

Well, I'm pleased to say that Emma chose to go for the rather more traditional wedding dress, as opposed to a boiler suit and respirator, on her big day. Emma and Drew tied the knot on 23rd May, and to quote Emma's father, 'Emma said she only wanted a small wedding. One hundred and ten guests later...'. The setting for the wedding was perfect - The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, followed by champagne and canapés in the grounds of Abergavenny Castle. What's more, the weather was on our side for the day too! The celebrations continued long into the night, with an added bonus of bacon sandwiches served at midnight. After a further day of partying, the happy couple left for their honeymoon - safari in South Africa and sunbathing in Mauritius - it's a tough job, but somebody had to do it! Now it's back down to earth with a bump to the world of asbestos - will the fun never end?! All of us at Core Surveys wish Emma and Drew much happiness for their future together.

25th March 2009

Core Surveys co-hosts Asbestos: The Hidden Killer in Wales at the Welsh Assembly

In November 2008, Core Surveys Ltd, visited the National Assembly to brief Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay on asbestos awareness in Wales. During the meeting it was suggested that Emma and Nick co-hosted a full presentation on asbestos at the Assembly and, on Tuesday 24 March, ‘Asbestos: the Hidden Killer in Wales’ took place at the assembly buildings Cardiff.

This unique event was the perfect vehicle for Emma to share her passion for raising asbestos awareness – which she describes as “woefully inadequate in Wales” - and gave her the opportunity to communicate her knowledge of the dangers and solutions associated with asbestos, gained through experience of working at the sharp end of the industry.

The seminar was held in the Assembly’s largest conference suite and attracted guests from a real cross-section of interested parties including personnel from business, government, trade unions, media, industry, education, health and support groups throughout Wales and beyond.

On the day of the presentation Emma was interviewed on BBC TV Wales breakfast and lunchtime news bulletins, highlighting the dangers still associated with asbestos and detailing how the Assembly conference would cover all aspects of the topic in Wales.

This was achieved by having one of the strongest line-ups of speakers ever to address the topic in Wales:

• Emma Corfield. Managing Director, Core Surveys Ltd
• Robin Howie. Occupational Hygienist (asbestos in schools expert)
• Dr John Osman. Chief Medical Adviser, HSE
• Steve Coldrick. Director, Disease Reduction Programme, HSE

Nick Ramsay opened proceedings by introducing Emma who took the audience through the associated dangers posed by asbestos, how it is possible to identify and treat, and the mandatory regulations. The Duty to Manage was discussed along with the current levels of non-compliance, lack of awareness and lack of communication with building users, which Emma believes will lead to further exposures and consequentially further asbestos related deaths.

Robin Howie’s presentation outlined how the potential risk to teachers and their pupils can be quantified and the steps now available to prevent or adequately control the risks from asbestos in schools. His figures show that teachers are currently 10 times more likely to suffer asbestos-related cancer and that 'teaching statistics are the tip of the iceberg. For every teacher exposed, then we have 20 to 30 children'.

Dr John Osman dealt with the diseases caused by asbestos and the work done by the HSE in monitoring and reducing them, while Steve Coldrick detailed what the HSE has done to fight what he called “the nightmare of asbestos” and spoke of the aims and successes of the HSE’s recent and superb ‘Hidden Killer’ asbestos awareness campaign. Mr Coldrick, Director of Disease Reduction at HSE, described asbestos-related disease as 'an absolute horror story' and an 'epidemic'.

The question and answer session that followed the presentations brought statements and questions from many in the audience and prompted a series of lively exchanges.

Nick Ramsay closed by saying that the Assembly must address what was raised by the presentations and that he would be approaching and questioning the relevant Ministers, including education and health.

One of the many Assembly Members who attended said ‘Asbestos: The Hidden Killer in Wales’ was the best and most informative function he had ever witnessed in the Assembly’. The excellent media coverage has provoked widespread reaction and conversation.

23rd January 2009

Core Surveys achives SAFEContractor accreditation

Core Surveys Ltd has received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme recognising high standards of health and safety practice in the building services’ industry.

We are delighted to receive this accreditation. Good health and safety practice is of paramount importance to Core Surveys. We work extremely hard to maintain high standards of health and safety and our proud of our well trained team, excellent site practices and risk management processes.

SAFEcontractor accreditation will support and enhance our ability to attract new business and maintain our reputation for providing a first class service to our customers in the fields of asbestos surveying, Legionella risk assessment and fire risk assessment.

Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, examining health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, accessible to registered users via a website.

8th October 2008

National Campaign Launched

A new campaign is launching on 13th October to raise awareness of asbestos exposure to plumbers, electricians, joiners and other tradesmen. This campaign follows the success of a pilot scheme which ran in the North West.

The HSE run operation will include articles in trade magazines, case studies, adverts in the national press and on national radio, and distribution of campaign material to tradesmen.

31st August 2008

Asbestos Claims Youngest Victim in History

28 Year old Leigh Carlisle died recently making her the youngest recorded asbestos- related fatality in the UK. Lawyers are investigating how she could have contracted mesothelioma, usually a disease associated with older people, at the age of 26. Leigh, from Oldham, Manchester, had suggested that she could have contracted the disease while taking a shortcut through a builder’s yard on her way to primary school.

Investigations are also being made at her primary school. Geraldine Coombes of Irwin Mitchell, the solicitors dealing with this case said “We know that she must have been exposed to it as a child. We know that asbestos in schools is a real problem”. It is thought that around 13,000 schools contain asbestos.

23rd July 2008

Asbestos Related Problems in Wales

South Wales has suffered from the environmental impact of heavy industry since the industrial revolution having the natural resource in coal measures, limestone scarps and plentiful supplies of water to support major steel, copper and tinplate production.

There are four main areas in Wales where people who were exposed to asbestos decades ago could be at risk in the future. To find more read our article about asbestos related problems in Wales.

March 2008

Asbestos Scare After Head's DIY

A HEADTEACHER has been rapped for breaking health and safety regulations when knocking down a wall marked as an asbestos risk at his school. Nick Gannon, headteacher of Cefn Fforest Primary School near Blackwood, Caerphilly, was found guilty by governors of misconduct after carrying out the work himself and not abiding by strict regulations.

He was given a written warning. The verdict was given in January but only came to light days ago – when it was leaked on the internet AFTER school governors decided not to inform parents of the incident or the resulting disciplinary inquiry. Mr Gannon was keen on doing DIY work on the school himself and was dubbed “Bob the Builder” by parents and colleagues. In 2005 he made the BBC news and local newspapers when he personally built a new path.

March 2008

East Sussex County Councils Buy With Confidence Scheme Accreditation

Core Surveys, an occupational health consultancy specializing in Asbestos Surveys and Legionella Risk Assessment are pleased to announce that we have been accredited to East Sussex County Councils Buy With Confidence Scheme. In order to become accredited all our office procedures, customer service policies and terms and conditions have been audited. All our staff have also undergone criminal record checks.

Buy With Confidence further highlights our commitment to customer service and satisfaction. We look forward to working with trading standards

March 2008

Legionella News - Lanarkshire Swimming Pool Closed As Man Falls Ill With Legionnaires’ Disease

A public swimming pool in Lanarkshire was closed on 12th February after a man was taken to hospital suffering from Legionnaires' disease. An investigation is taking place to try and find the source of his infection by the NHS Public Health Department, South Lanarkshire Council’s environmental health officials, the Health and Safety Executive, and Health Protection Scotland. The bacteria which cause Legionnaires’ disease can be found in spas, Jacuzzis, cooling towers and air conditioning systems. Illness only occurs when water containing the bacteria becomes airborne water droplets. It is not contagious.

Legionnaires’ disease has flu- like symptoms along with pneumonia, and sometimes diarrhoea and confusion. Patients are usually incubated for two to 10 days. It can be fatal in vulnerable people such as the elderly, but with treatment of antibiotics a full recovery should be expected. There were 107 cases of Legionella reported to Health Protection Scotland between 2004 and 2006.

Asbestos News - Two Thirds of Highland Primary Schools Contain Asbestos

The Highland Council has revealed that up to two thirds of primary schools in the region contain asbestos along with both of the secondary schools. The Highland Council asbestos register shows that 124 schools have some form of asbestos, usually in wall panels and floor and wall tiles. Robin Howie, a former president of the British Occupational Hygiene Society said: "Children are particularly vulnerable because of their life expectancy. Mesothelioma can be latent in the body for a period of between 50 and 60 years. They have a higher probability of surviving long enough for the disease to develop."

"Politicians don't spend money today to save money in 60 years as it's not possible to demonstrate now that it's been wisely spent...We all know that local authorities don't have the funding that they would like. They can only carry out the correct remediation work if they get additional funding."

Fire Risk Assessment News - Pub Manager Fined £18000 for not Completing a Fire Risk Assessment!

Following a fire at a hotel in Lancashire, managing director Dennis Brunt was fined £18000 and ordered to pay costs of £1750 after the blaze at the Royal Hotel in Waterfoot. Eight people, including a small baby and its mother were rescued from the building in the early hours of 6th March 2006. The company responsible for the hotel admitted responsibility for a number of offences in court. These included -

• Not completing a fire risk assessment;
• Failure to maintain clear emergency exits;
• Failure to maintain alarm and detection systems;
• Failure to protect means of escape;
• Not training the staff in fire safety.

Brunt, whose firm used to be responsible for the pub, admitted six offences at Reedley Magistrates Court. Mr Holland said, "This prosecution should send a clear message that the owner of businesses must be fully aware of their responsibility with regard to fire safety and must have implemented measures necessary to keep staff and customers safe".

March 2008

News From our Brighton Office – New Team Members

We have recently gained three new members to our team: Jo Philp and Paul Swaffield are both experienced Surveyors who have hit the ground running at this very busy time. Laura Cooper has joined us as Office Manager after gaining experience within the industry for the past 2 years. We are always looking for potential team members and welcome CV submissions addressed to Emma Corfield at our Brighton office.

News from our Wales Office

Our Welsh Office in Abergavenny has been very active in its first year and we have enjoyed developing relationships with both Persimmon and Alun Griffiths Contractors with regards to asbestos consultancy and Positive Lifestyles Ltd that have benefited from our Legionella Risk Assessment Services. We look forward to further developing our business in Wales and welcome any opportunity of work in this area. Again we are currently looking for surveyors/contract managers able to work throughout Wales and are interested in developing our business in Wales.

News from our Carrington Office

We have recently opened an Office in Carrington, Manchester in order to cater to client demands in this area. Our new address is:
Carrington Business Park
Carrington
Manchester
M31 4DD
Tel: 01617 764329

19th September 2007

Would you like to join our team?

Due to our ongoing expansion Core Surveys are looking for a qualified asbestos surveyor (holiding P402 as a minimum requirement) the ability to carry out outher building surveys (such as fire risk assessment and legionella risk assessment may also be an advantage.

You'd be joinging an great team who we hope will share in our future sucess and development.

The package would include a competitive slary with regular reviews, Company car, Mobile Phone, Satallite navigation system, Health cover and an excellent holiday package.

If your interested in hearing more about this position please send us a CV or call Emma Corfield on 01273 704430 for further information.

21st August 2007

Core Surveys Ltd have a new website!

We hope that our new site will provide you with all the information you require with regards to our services.

Log into our forum to tell us what you think of the new site and ask any questions on Asbestos, Legionella and Fire Risk Assessment.

We are also able to offer asbestos registers accessible to all our clients through our website in PDF. format which you can share with building users and contractors. Contact us for further information.

 

November 2006

Asbestos regulation change comes into force

The new Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force on Monday 13 November.

The Regulations will:

• replace three existing sets of regulations (the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, as amended, and the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992, as amended);
• introduce a lower single control limit of 0.1 fibres per cm3 of air for work with all types of asbestos;
• include practical guidelines for the determination of "sporadic and low intensity exposure", as required by the EU directive;
• mean work with textured decorative coatings containing asbestos will be removed from the licensing regime as research shows that the level of exposure to asbestos fibres from such work are low;
• mean all organisations or individuals carrying out the 4-Stage Asbestos Clearance and Certificate of Re-Occupation after asbestos removal works are to be accredited for that process by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (this requirement will not come into force until 7 April 2007); and
• require mandatory training for work with asbestos.

The fact that under the new Regulations work with textured coatings will be removed from the licensing regime has caused controversy. However, research carried out for the HSE shows that levels of asbestos fibres released during work with such coatings is "much lower than previously thought and lower than the proposed new control limit when carried out using good practice."

The Regulations will be supported by two Codes of Practice, Work with Materials containing Asbestos, L143 and The Management of Asbestos in Non-Domestic Premises, L27. Both of these will be available on Monday from the HSE.

The full Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 can be found at:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20062739.htm

June 1st 2006

Asbestos Awareness Workshop

With the opening of our welsh office earlier this year Core Surveys is holding an asbestos awareness seminar on 1st June at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny. Supported by Asbestos Awareness Wales we'll be covering the general aspects of asbestos management along with a presentation by the HSE on the current asbestos regulations. The seminar is aimed at managers, health and safety and property professionals. Morning tea and a buffet lunch will be provided, enabling those in attendance to discuss current issues. Please contact Emma Corfield for further information. 

April 6th 2006

Asbestos Awareness Workshop

Core Surveys is holding an asbestos awareness workshop at The Sussex Innovation Centre on Thursday April 6th. This workshop is designed to increase the general awareness of asbestos within the working environment. Our asbestos awareness training is supported by the HSE and is particularly relevant to those who may come into contact with asbestos containing products during their working day. A buffet lunch will be supplied offering a chance to discuss the current issues with other property professionals.Please contact Keith Smith on 01273 704430 for further information.

February 2006

Mesothelioma Action Day is to be held Nationwide on 27th February 06

There will be Media coverage throughout the UK with Support groups raising the profile locally. It is being organised in conjunction with the British Lung Foundation to help raise awareness of this terrible disease and highlight the discrepancies and variability of what is available to help people with the condition. 

February 2006

Core Surveys Expansion

 Core surveys is pleased to announce the opening of their Welsh office situated in Abergavenny, South Wales.

January 2006

Approved members of the Buy With Confidence Scheme

Core Surveys have been approved as members of the Buy with Confidence Scheme run by East Sussex County Council.

Core surveys have been visited and audited by trading standards for compliance with the letter and spirit of the law. We underwent stringent checks to our quality systems, customer care policy and all our surveyors underwent criminal record checks

We hope this standard will make our clients more at ease with what can be quite an intrusive survey of their property.

For more information please visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/brighton-hove or call 01273 293340

December 2005

Approved trainers for the P402 course by the BOHS

Core Surveys are proud to announce that they have been approved as trainers for the P402 course by the BOHS. We hope to start running these courses in the spring of 2006. Please contact Emma Corfield for further information on 01273 704430.

Please note that we also offer asbestos awareness training for maintenance staff, supervisors and managers at our premises in Falmer or at client premises.