Constructionline Accreditation

Riverside Environmental is pleased to announce that it has achieved accreditation to Constructionline.

Constructionline is a pre-qualification system that examines companies’ financial standings, Health & Safety, environmental and equality systems and ensures that suppliers meet Industry and Government standards. It is used by 2000 organisations including Housing Associations, Local Authorities, NHS Trusts and Universities to source contractors and consultants.

We are very happy to have attained the Constructionline accreditation as, once again, it demonstrates our dedication to providing quality work to clients and to providing a safe, healthy working environment for our staff and customers.


Being independently audited by an external organisation enables us to verify the quality of our management systems and give our clients assurance that Riverside Environmental remains committed to working to the highest possible standards.

Riverside’s Constructionline accreditation follows accreditation to CHAS, Exor and Achilles UVDB.

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

Legionella Contamination - The Cost and Solution

In 2010, traces of Legionella were discovered in the water system at Dumfries Infirmary. This prompted a project to completely eradicate the bacteria from the hospital’s water systems which has, so far, taken 18 months and cost £250,000 with measures including new protective filters to taps and showers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-15150609

The problem is, Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria which is likely to enter all water systems at low levels at some point.

In the case of Dumfries Infirmary they are having to implement measures which can almost always be avoided, because the issue isn’t really about expensive filters with short life cycles but is about the implementation of a robust water hygiene management programme to prevent a problem before it occurs.

Through a sensible, systemic routine of Risk Assessments, water temperature checks, sampling and – where necessary – cleansing, there is no reason why an organisation cannot minimise the risk from their water systems without having to resort  to buying reactive technology to combat a controllable problem.

Any system, regardless of how much it costs to implement, is only ever as effective as its weakest component allows it to be. In most cases of outbreak, a lack of understanding of WHY things need to be done can lead to systems being neglected (either through ignorance or a failure to prioritise tasks against other responsibilities) or incorrect completion of tasks.

Of course, it is fairly easy to see how this can happen. For organisations that don’t have water hygiene management in place but want to implement it, the path ahead of them may seem daunting at first. For people with no training in the area, the ACoP L8 requirements are full of technicalities and jargon that may baffle or confuse. In these cases, it is all too easy to misinterpret guidelines and implement an ineffective solution, or panic and spend lots of money on the problem in the hope that it goes away. 

This can be where a consultancy may be useful. Most will be able to provide awareness training to enable staff to understand the importance of the tasks that need to be performed from both a legal and a health point-of-view. If an organisation chooses to perform the tasks in-house, a consultant may also be able to train staff on how to perform those tasks and use any necessary equipment  correctly. For organisations not wanting to carry out routine tasks themselves, most consultancies will also be able to carry out the routine monitoring and sampling on their behalf, freeing up valuable staff time for other tasks while insuring that ACoP L8 requirements are completed correctly.

For all organisations faced with a problem like Legionella infection, or any potential health hazard for that matter, the first question to ask shouldn’t be “What do we need to buy?” but “What do we need to learn?”

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk

0870 950 0161

Asbestos in Soil - Event Sponsor

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd are proud sponsors of the 'Asbestos in Soil' event being held at the Manchester Conference Centre on the 1st November 2011. 
The event is being held in association with the 'Environmental Industries Commission (EIC)' and the 'British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)' and aims to bring together technical parties to share knowledge and expertise in managing asbestos in soil and emerging developments in UK guidance.

Programme

Morning Session 1: Legislation & Policy (Chair - Richard Boyle, HCA/SAGTA)

- DEFRA review of Part 2A/DCLG review of planning - implications for owners of property contaminated by asbestos Richard Boyle, Homes & Communities Agency/Soil & Groundwater Technology Association

- HSE policy & practice - regulation of works on land contaminated with asbestos Martin Gibson, HSE

- Remediation and re-use of asbestos-contaminated soil - implications of the REACH regulation and relationship to the Definition of Waste: Development Industry Code of Practice Nicholas Willenbrock, CL:AIRE

Morning Session 2: Exposure and Risk (Chair - Andrew Darnton, HSE)

- Health risks and mortality arising from exposure to low levels of asbestos Andrew Darnton, HSE

- Part 2A determinations - a legal perspective Andrew Wiseman, Stephenson Harwood

- Reflection on the Supreme Court judgement - an insurance industry perspective Matthew Hussey, Tysers

Afternoon Session 3: Sampling & Analysis - Soils and Air (Chair - Garry Burdett, HSL)

- Current issues with soil samples/asbestos - a laboratory perspective Hazel Davidson, ALcontrol

- New sampling and analytical method for asbestos in soil Garry Burdett, HSL

- Monitoring low level exposures to asbestos in air Robin Howie, Robin Howie Associates

Afternoon Session 4: Case Studies (Chair - Steve Forster, IEG)

- From laboratory scale to field scale: Issues of representativeness Paul Nathanail, University of Nottingham and Land Quality Management Ltd

- Risk assessment/determination of SPOSH under Part 2A - a problem holder perspective Alan Jones, IOM and Anna Spinks, Wolverhampton City Council

- Investigation and remediation of asbestos in soil - a case study Steve Edgar, VertaseFLI



Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

Proposals on Revised Control of Asbestos Regulations

The HSE have released a consultation document on proposed changes to the Control of Asbestos Regulations. (Consultation Document CD237).

The consultation sets out proposals "...to implement the changes required to comply with the European Commission's reasoned opinion on the UK Government's transposition of Directive 83/477/EEC as amended by 2003/18/EC on the protection of workers from the risks of exposure to asbestos at work. The reasoned opinion confirms the European Commission's view that the UK has not fully implemented Article 3(3) of the Directive which provides for the exemption of some types of lower risk work with asbestos from three requirements of the Directive: notification of work; medical examinations; and record keeping..."

Put simply the changes mean in future fewer types of lower risk asbestos work will be exempt from three requirements:

• Notification of work
• Medical examinations
• Record keeping

The HSE are seeking views on: the proposals; the guidance to be produced to explain how the changes will work in practice; and the impact on business.

The following methods have been provided for consultation response:

Online HSE questionnaire

Word response form

The full document can be viewed here: Consultation Document CD237



Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

Riverside on First Asbestos Project Management Course from ATAC

ATAC have just launched a new qualification in conjunction with the Royal Society for Public Health for asbestos project managers. 

Riverside had two candidates amongst the first seven to complete the course as we recognise the importance of achieving the highest quality when project managing for our clients.

Adrian Dracup (Riverside Analyst) commented:

"I have been working as an analyst for 7 years and found the course very useful in adding to my knowledge of asbestos as well as learning to think as a project manager on site in addition to providing analytical cover"

The RSPH Certificate in Asbestos Project Management is available to analysts with at least two years’ experience and teaches them the key skills necessary to Project Manage asbestos removal and remediation projects on behalf of clients.

Including theory and practical knowledge and skills, the course covers various aspects of Project Management including contractor selection, client liaison and the management and inspection of asbestos works.

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

Achilles UVDB Registration Achieved

Riverside Environmental are pleased to announce that they have received accreditation from Achilles and have been added to UVDB (Utilities Vendors Database).

Achilles is an EU-recognised company offering supplier management services to key industries including construction, rail and utilities. UVDB focuses on power generation and transmission, water and gas networks, and the nuclear sector.

Participation in Achilles schemes enable procurement departments to reduce lengthy and costly tendering processes by pre-qualifying suppliers and contractors to authenticate their ability to provide essential services.

Inclusion on the UVDB is only achievable after extensive desktop and on site audits which focus on risk critical issues and require a verifiable and demonstrable commitment to all aspects of health, safety, quality and environmental issues.

A spokesman for Riverside today said “We are delighted to receive the UVDB accreditation. We have always been committed to the quality of our work and maintaining a safe, healthy environment for both our operatives and our clients. To have this commitment, and our ability to meet it, corroborated by an independent auditor is extremely gratifying and reflects the confidence that our customers have in us and our work.”

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

Landmark Ruling Over

The supreme court has upheld a £240,000 compensation claim in the first case of a former pupil successfully suing a local authority for negligent exposure to asbestos.

The Government now faces growing pressure to complete a full assessment of the risk from asbestos in schools.

Quotes:

Lord Justice Sedley -
"...where asbestos is involved, a risk of exposure is a risk of harm."

Annette Brooke, MP and chairwoman of the parliamentary asbestos in schools group -
"We have been pushing for an assessment of the asbestos risks to children, and this judgment, we feel, is going to give us the clout to get one."

Michael Lees, founder of the Asbestos Exposure in Schools campaign group -
"The ruling has profound implications."

Husband of the deceased claimant -
"If her case helps others get justice more easily that has to be a good thing"

Knowsley council -
"It has always been clear that Mrs Willmore suffered from a severe illness which was caused by exposure to asbestos and the council is, and always has been, extremely sympathetic towards Mrs Willmore and her family."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers -
"It has been known for many years that children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of asbestos exposure, even at low levels. In the last 10 years, 140 teachers have died of mesothelioma. If teachers are dying from their exposure, inevitably pupils will die too in later life. Because of the long latency period, however, there are no records of adults who have died because of childhood exposure."

Coverage: The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/mar/09/asbestos-school-compensation-dianne-willmoreThe BBC  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-12686641Channel 4  (Dead link)Supreme Court Press Release http://www.asbestosexposureschools.co.uk/pdfnewslinks/supreme%20court%20summary.pdf

If you would like advice on managing the risk from asbestos or need an asbestos survey or asbestos air testing, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

HSE Clampdown on Construction Site Asbestos Management

A HSE clampdown is underway across the country which will feature unannounced visits to construction sites to ensure they are managing the risk from asbestos exposure and working at heights properly.

The HSE press release states that last year 2014 sites and 2414 contractors were visited. This led to 350 prohibition notices to stop dangerous work.

Philip White, HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction, said:
"This year, as part of ensuring risks from asbestos are properly managed, we will also be checking that, where appropriate, asbestos surveys have been carried out prior to any refurbishment work. Many workers believe that, because asbestos has been banned as a building material, it's no longer a threat to them. But that simply isn't true. Any premises built or refurbished before 2000 could contain asbestos."

To read the full press release click here.

If you would like advice on managing the risk from asbestos on your construction or demolition project, need an asbestos survey or asbestos air testing, please contact us and we will be very happy to help.

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

Construction Site Environmental Monitoring – Noise, Dust & Vibration

Consideration to completing environmental monitoring on construction and demolition projects for noise, dust and vibration is now a standard part of the environmental planning stage.

The use of environmental monitoring consultants provides a number of benefits including compliance and provision of important dispute data. Below is a brief outline of this topic:

Compliance

Several regulatory documents govern what is needed and when in relation to construction and demolition site monitoring. The main documents include:

-          Mayor of London Best Practice Guidance – The control of dust and emissions from construction and demolition

-          BS:5228 Noise and vibration control on construction and open sites

-          Considerate Constructor and Considerate Contractor Schemes

-          Local Authority Requirements

-          DEFRA Guidance

Control Limits

Environmental monitoring for noise, dust and vibration can provide a safe guard against nuisance or damage. By setting control limits, alarms can be set to warn if levels have been breached which have the potential for damage or nuisance. These alarms can be discrete, immediate and automated so that action can be taken before a problem results.

Dispute Prevention and Resolution

Environmental monitoring can provide invaluable data as evidence that the project is not causing damage or nuisance to neighbours. If carried out correctly this can prevent or significantly reduce claims against the contractors involved.

In fact if monitoring is undertaken with the knowledge of the neighbours, it can prevent any disputes from occurring at all, as neighbours can see that the contractor is taking steps to safeguard their properties and prevent nuisance occurring.

Data Integrity

To ensure that the data collected from monitoring devices is useful it is very important that certain criteria are fulfilled. The list below will help to prevent money being wasted on monitoring which does not ultimately provide the evidence or preventative measure required.

-          Design of environmental monitoring plan including control limits

-          Calibration of devices

-          Correct setup and use of devices

-          Impartiality of those taking and logging the results

-          Report quality

For more information on construction site environmental monitoring please contact us.
0870 950 0161

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Legionella - What You Need to Know...

Legionella risk assessment and Legionella monitoring are simple processes in controlling the risk from Legionella bacteria in most water systems, read on to find out what you need to know...

What is it?

Legionella is a term for a group of bacteria which, if inhaled, can cause Legionnaires Disease. This disease is a form of pneumonia which proves fatal in about 10-15% of cases.

What regulations do I need to follow?

There are a number of regulations and guidance documents that deal with the risk from Legionella bacteria, however the main documents are the Health and Safety at Work Act and ACoP L8.

ACoP L8 is provided by the HSE to offer specific guidance on how to control the risk from Legionella including management, record keeping, training and practical tasks.

Where is the risk?

Legionella are water based bacteria commonly found in water systems such as domestic hot and cold water, cooling towers, drinking water etc.

In practise any water system has the potential risk from Legionella associated to it.

What do I need to do?

The first step is to carry out a risk assessment of the water systems you manage. This must be carried out by a competent person, as whoever completes this document is taking responsibility for the risk and so must understand it.

There are really only 2 steps to most Legionella control programmes:

Legionella Risk Assessment – Every 2 years (or when something significant changes)

Routine Legionella Monitoring – This is set out by the risk assessment but is likely to include basic temperature checks, physical inspection and sampling.

In most cases trained site staff carry out the more basic tests leaving only quarterly, 6 monthly or annual visits for a specialist contractor.

Things to check

1. Make sure any specialist contractor you employ is a member of the Legionella Control Association (LCA)

2. Impartial and independent advice is crucial. Make sure you are happy the contractor is not just trying to make work for themselves! Employing an independent consultant is one way of achieving this.

3. Keep records of the good work you are doing. Without written confirmation in your site log book the HSE could assume it never happened!

And finally…

Legionella is a real problem which according to the HPA is greatly under reported. They estimate the true level of infection is approximately 5000 a year*, and so effective control is essential for both those at risk and those managing water systems.

*HPA presentation at the Combating Legionella conference 2010.

Please contact us for more information on Legionella control and we will be happy to help.
0870 950 0161.

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Riverside Director Offers Expert Opinion on BBC News

Riverside Director and ATaC Chairman Jonathan Francis interviewed by BBC news about problems with asbestos management in schools.

If you need help in managing the risk from asbestos, please contact us and we will be very happy to help.

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

Riverside Awarded Legionella Control Association Certificate

We are very happy to announce that we have been awarded registration with the Legionella Control Association.

Over the last few months Riverside have been undergoing a rigorous review programme to enable us to successfully register with the Legionella Control Association (LCA). This body has been setup to ensure Legionella service providers are working to the highest standards.

The LCA will continue to periodically audit our Legionella works to ensure that the high standards we provide continue, this we hope will reassure our clients and future clients that we endeavour to offer the highest quality service in terms of technical excellence, impartiality and advice.

A copy of our registration certificate can be found on our Links and Downloads page.

To find out more about the LCA, please click here.

If you need help in managing the risk from Legionella, please contact us and we will be very happy to help.

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161

Asbestos in Schools Survey Highlights Failings

A HSE survey of asbestos management in “system built” schools has shown widespread improvements are necessary. Industry experts however doubt that even this survey goes far enough to show the true extent of the problem.

The survey has resulted in 42 local authorities being inspected, 18 improvement notices, 1 prohibition notice and further advice being given to 32 other local authorities.

ATAC the UK’s leading association for Asbestos testing and consultancy specialists have published a report on their website explaining the findings of the HSE survey following a similar survey carried out by ATAC in February.

It also highlights some concerns that the HSE survey has not gone far enough to show the true level of the problem, a problem which is no surprise to ATAC.

The ATAC Chairman has previously stated “These are not minor problems that have crept in over recent years; rather they are fundamental problems that are endemic in schools in the UK.”

To read the full ATAC release, please click here.

The BBC has also covered the HSE survey results on the Radio 4 programme “You and Yours”. To listen to this programme please click here.

If you need help in managing the risk from asbestos, please contact us and we will be very happy to help.

Riverside Environmental Services Ltd provide high quality exposure assessment and monitoring services nationwide. Including; Asbestos, Legionella, COSHH, Air Testing, Occupational Health, Noise and Vibration. See our full list of services for details.

For more information please contact us.

info@riversideenvironmental.co.uk

www.riversideenvironmental.co.uk/

0870 950 0161