Chief Executive’s comment

Steve Sadley, Chief Executive

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.

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.

Your Association continues to support you

Iwould not normally write a Chief Executive Comment for ARCA News this close to publication date, but today is June 15th, the day after the Prime Minister’s announcement that the lockdown is to be extended for a further 4 weeks, therefore rather than restrictions being lifted on June 21st they will now hopefully be lifted on the July 19th. In the last issue of ARCA News, I explained that despite the June regional meetings being arranged for post June 21st, there was still uncertainty as to whether all restrictions would be lifted by that date, and as a result we had decided to conduct these meetings remotely. As it has turned out, and due to the Asbestos Network meeting being rescheduled to July 7th, the regional meetings have been pushed back to July 14th, 15th and 16th, which will still be in the extended lockdown period, and confirming our decision to hold this round of meetings remotely was the correct one. Having said that, we are in the process of booking meeting rooms at the usual hotels and venues for us to hold face to face ARCA regional meetings once again in November. The details of these meetings are on the ARCA website and in the Diary Dates section on page 8.

The second post implementation review (PIR) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 was launched on May 21st and closed on June 11th. A PIR is a requirement of the legislation and is carried out every 5 years. A PIR provides the analysis required to establish whether, and to what extent, the regulation has achieved its original objectives, has objectives which are still valid, is still required and remains the best option for achieving those objectives, and whether the regulations can be improved to reduce the burden on business and overall costs. Stakeholders’ views about the effectiveness of the regulation were sought via a short online survey. A statutory review report to accompany the PIR is expected to be published in April 2022. Another major occurrence since the previous issue of ARCA News was the publication of HSG 248 ‘Asbestos: The Analysts’ Guide’ Revision 2 on May 14th 2021.

Amongst other things, licensed contractors should be aware that the guidance instructs analysts not to commence the 4-stage clearance procedure unless a handover document is completed and available. The guide also states that analysts should not clean up any dust or debris as part of the 4-stage clearance, as this is work with asbestos and potentially a licensed activity. Clean ups should only be carried out by the licensed contractor. Further details of the 4-stage clearance procedure contained within The ‘Analysts’ Guide’ can be found on pages 28/33 in this issue of ARCA News.

As well as changes and clarification to technical and personal safety issues, sampling and 4-stage clearances, for the first time Revision 2 of The Analysts’ Guide’ also includes information to assess the presence of asbestos in soils and made ground.

Following the success of ARCA’s online training delivery, we have now adapted the training that accompanies the RSPH Analysts and Surveyors qualifications so that it can be delivered remotely one day a week over 3 or 4 days depending on the qualification. The candidate then attends an ARCA/ATaC centre to undertake the assessments which need to be completed successfully to gain the qualification. This is seen as a more flexible and cost-effective method of delivery that may suit some candidates and businesses. Furter details on this remote training option can be found on page 34/35 of this issue of ARCA News.

We are still planning to showcase the new Site Audit Portal, an online portal showing a compilation of member’s site audit reports, results and trends, and the Asbestos Labour Feedback App for member’s directly employed operatives, at the regional meetings in July.

The next issue of ARCA News should be published in time for the Associations AGM which is scheduled for 1st October 2021 at Lords Cricket Ground. Lets hope by then our way of life has returned more or less to the way it was prior to March 2020.

Steve Sadley Chief Executive