Driving Excellence: Latest Digital Solutions, Staff Updates, and Achievement Celebrations

Recruiting and retaining excellent staff is crucial for providing outstanding service to our members. I am pleased to announce that we have recently welcomed two exceptional staff members: Eve Evans as a Training Administrator and Dan McClure as a Site Auditor. Members who have interacted with Eve or Dan during training bookings or site audits in the southern region will have already witnessed their professionalism and competence. Recruiting good staff is just the beginning; it is equally, if not more important, to retain them, and this requires investing in staff. In any business, your people are your competitive advantage, but that advantage is only realised when they are fully engaged. Over three years ago, ARCA began the Investors in People Scheme (IIP) and achieved silver status, a great outcome for our first assessment. Following this year’s assessment, we have been awarded gold status, recognising the additional work the association has done over the past three years in leading and supporting our staff, as well as the impact of change strategies and initiatives. Through our partnership with IIP, ARCA will continue to enhance our investment in staff and ensure the retention of the excellent team we have built.

Part of the IIP program involves recognising and rewarding high performance, which brings benefits to both individuals and organisations. We are aware that recruitment and retention of skilled staff is a major concern for our members. To assist our members, ARCA provides recognition for both individuals and organisations. We recognise member companies that excel in training or site audit results with gold awards, which are showcased in each issue of ARCA News, on social media, on the ARCA/ATaC websites, and at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Individuals are also acknowledged for their training results or qualifications in

ARCA News, on social media, and at the AGM. Recognising these achievements has several advantages for individuals and organisations. It provides individuals with a sense of accomplishment, motivating them to maintain high performance levels, boosting their motivation and engagement, and resulting in increased productivity and job satisfaction. When achievements are acknowledged and celebrated, individuals feel valued and appreciated, enhancing employee loyalty, and reducing turnover rates. Furthermore, recognition reinforces positive behaviours and performance standards, helping individuals understand their strengths and encouraging them to continue excelling in their roles, ultimately leading to continuous improvement and higher performance levels.

ATaC continues to represent UKAS accredited asbestos testing laboratories. The ATaC team has been engaging in discussions with the HSE and UKAS regarding the requirement in HSG 248 that ‘No Asbestos Detected’ samples score 2 points. This limitation severely restricts the number of samples a bulk analyst can analyse per day, in ATaC’s opinion, unnecessarily, increasing the laboratories’ costs, which are also passed on to the customers. We hope this issue will be resolved soon.

Finally, please note that the dates and venues for the November round of regional meetings are now available at www.arca.org. uk/events/; please register to book your place, and I look forward to seeing members at the meetings.

Our Mission

To give the best possible service and support to assist ARCA members and customers in providing safe, effective and ethical management of asbestos, thereby safeguarding the public.

Our Vision

We envision being an essential strategic partner, through membership of ARCA and ATaC, to all companies providing asbestos management and licensed asbestos removal services, or services to those companies, by providing solutions which contribute to the overall success of their businesses and provide reassurance to their clients.

Steve Sadley Chief Executive

Our Values

Our values define the culture at ARCA. The values of integrity, service, excellence, teamwork and responsibility guide the way we work, our behaviour and our commitment to support members, customers and colleagues.