Pontypool contractor fined over asbestos breach in private house works. A building firm has been fined £2,500 after allowing its workers to undertake unlicensed asbestos removal. In a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Ron Couch Building Contractors Ltd, from Pontypool, pleaded guilty to two charges under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. The firm was undertaking work replacing a central heating boiler at a private residence when workers removed a door covered in asbestos insulation in order to remove the boiler. A licensed asbestos contractor, who happened to be working nearby, alerted the workers to the danger of asbestos when he saw the door lying outside. Under law any work involving asbestos insulation must be undertaken by licenses contractors. Steve Richardson, an inspector with the HSE, said: "The company was well aware of its legal duties in terms of asbestos work as, prior to this incident, it carried out removal of the asbestos boiler flue in a safe manner using qualified personnel. "AIB poses less of a risk if not damaged, but this work exposed the edges of the board increasing the risk of releasing asbestos fibres which could be inhaled by the workers and anyone else using the premises." In addition to the fine the company was ordered to pay £1,250 in costs.

New Commercial Manager for AMS! Due to the rapid growth of AMS North East, Managing Director, Stewart McNicholl is pleased to announce that Russell Exley has joined the company as Commercial Manager. Stewart has grown the company to become one of the leading asbestos consultancies in the country, but needs the commercial expertise of a blue chipped trained commercial manager to take the company's growth into the next phase. Stewart quotes - "Russell's 22 years commercial and customer service experience combined with his knowledge of the asbestos industry made him the natural choice to bring further growth and employment opportunities." Russell comments - "Joining AMS North East at this phase in the growth of the company is really exciting and I'm looking forward to the challenge. It'll be great to speak with clients, both old and new, to explain how the AMS team are able to provide them with fantastic, speedy customer service and first class support in managing their obligations with regard to managing asbestos." Russell joins AMS from Lucion Environmental.

Asbestos Surveyors Jobs We are currently recruiting for the post of asbestos surveyor. If you have a P402 Qualification and are interesting in joining AMS-NE at this very exciting time please forward you CV to info@ams-ne.co.uk with the reference - ASBSURV07

ASBESTOS JOBS We are currently recruiting due to expansion of our north east head quarters. Please email your CV to info@ams-ne.co.uk. We are looking for applicants with at least 2 years experience in the ASBESTOS TESTING / SURVEYING field with P402, P403 and P404 qualifications.

AMS North East Ltd have moved We have moved into our new premises, our new details have been updated on the web site. We have expanded our laboratory services now allowing for a greater capacity of lab analysis. These are very exciting times for AMS North East Ltd

Asbestos Jobs Due to expansion of AMS North East Ltd we are currently looking for Asbestos Analysts and a business development manager for our North East Head quarters. Candidates must have a proven history in the asbestos consultancy industry and qualified with P402, 403 and 404 BOHS qualifications. Email your CV to stewart.mcnicholl@ams-ne.co.uk or call the office to dicsuss.

New HSE Guidance replacing MDHS 100 - HSG 264 The long anticipated replacement to MDHS 100 is due out on Friday. Follow the link below to get your copy. HSG 264 http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/saleproduct.jsf?catalogueCode=9780717663859

Follow AMS North East Ltd on Twitter http://twitter.com/AMSNorthEastLtd Keep up AMS North East Ltd and use to discuss Asbestos Issues you may have.

AMS North East supports the HSE's ASBESTOS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN HSE's ASBESTOS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. Arm your self with the knowledge you need. AMS (North East) can carry out Control of Asbestos Regulation 2006 Asbestos Awarness Training to suit your business. Our trainers hold S301 BOHS CCP Asbestos Certified Competent Person and are qualified to field any of your asbestos queries. We complete the course either in your place of work or a selection of training venues avaialble. The course is £65.00 per delagate and includes all course materials, multiple choice exam and certification. Phone our Training Manager Stewart McNicholl for details on 01670737355.

ASBESTOS JOBS, Asbestos Surveyors, Asbestos Analysts, Asbestos Bulk Analysts We are currently recruiting. If you have ANY P-Module BOHS qualifications please email us your CV. We offer a comprehensive training package, company vehicle, overtime and commission. A great time to join our growing team!

AMS (North East) LLP Granted UKAS accreditation for Inspection and Testing We are very pleased to announce that we have been granted UKAS accreditation for Inspection and Testing in accordance with ISO17020 and 17025. Our schedules for Testing and Inspection can be viewed on the UKAS web site or in our important documents link.

HSE hidden killer VIDEO http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/campaign/video.htm copy and paste the above link to watch the HSE's latest Asbestos Awareness Video. AMS North East LLP can provide you with the training required by law to ensure your work force are aware and safe.

ASK AMS GOES LIVE !!!!!!!!! AMS (North East) LLP officailly launch its own web based asbestos management system. We are delighted to make our system available online to all our clients. We have been trailing the system over the past few month with a few clients and have received very positive feed back. The system will allow duty holders the ability to track their asbestos responsibilities completely and easily over the web. All our surveys, testing and analysis reports will now be delivered and stored on the ASKAMS system creating a complete archive for our clients to access from where ever they need to be. If you are interested in have a look at the system please contact us and I would be delighted to come and show you it working.

Teachers Union Calls for Removal of ALL Asbestos from Schools The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) wants asbestos to be removed from all schools by 2010. The substance, which causes serious diseases of the heart and lungs, was widely used between 1945 and 1975 when thousands of schools were built. Schools are legally required to check for asbestos and manage any risk. ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said her union was deeply concerned about the continuing risk to teachers, support staff and pupils from asbestos in schools. "There is still too little information about asbestos. We don't know how many schools still contain asbestos, so most teachers have little idea of whether they or their pupils are being exposed to it. "Schools should keep and maintain asbestos registers to record the locations and condition of any asbestos, and let staff know." She added: "Over 400 ATL members know they have been exposed to asbestos in their school or college. "But this is the tip of the iceberg. Many teachers and pupils will be unaware, and because asbestos related illnesses take between 15 to 60 years to develop it is difficult to know how many will become ill or die as a result of exposure." Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma which is usually fatal, lung cancer, and asbestosis which can be fatal or highly debilitating. Health and Safety Executive figures suggest at least 182 people working in education died in Great Britain between 1980 and 2000 from mesothelioma alone. (Article from the BBC news web site

UKAS initial assessment AMS (North East) LLP have now completed our initial UKAS assessment visit and we are pleased to announce that we have been recommended for accreditation for ISO 17020 and 17025. We expect to have this completed by the middle of March, so watch this space!

HSE inspections ? The HSE were to commence 5000 site visits to check compliance with Regulation 4, "The Duty to Manage Asbestos in Non Domestic Premisis" of the Control of Asbestos Regulations. We are still awaiting the response from the excersise. Have you had a visit, we would be interested to hear from you.

Asbestos Jobs North East Due to expansion and our forth coming UKAS accreditation, AMS (North East) LLP are seeking anyone with Asbestos Surveying and Analytical Experience. Qualifications desired are P401, P402, P403, P404 and P405, if you have all or any of these please either e-mail or post your CV to our office. We offer competive salery + Overtime + Company Van. AMS (North East) LLP are an equal opportunities employer and all applicants are considered.

Asbestos Recruitment Due to expansion and our forth coming UKAS accreditation, AMS (North East) LLP are seeking anyone with Asbestos Surveing and Analytical Experience. Qualifications desired are P401, P402, P403, P404 and P405, if you have all or any of these please either e-mail or post your CV to our office. We offer competive salery + Overtime + Company Van. AMS (North East) LLP are an equal opportunities employer and all applicants are considered.

South London NHS Trust fined £5000 HSE is warning employers to ensure they take proper precautions over the management of asbestos in their buildings. This follows HSE’s prosecution of a South London NHS Trust at the City of London Magistrates’ Court, for breaching Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

Local authority fined £18,000 over asbestos HSE is warning duty holders to ensure they take proper precautions when working in buildings where asbestos may be present. This follows an investigation at Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex in Bishop Auckland, which resulted in Wear Valley District Council being fined £18,000 after admitting six offences under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.