HB Bearings, a long-established precision engineering manufacturer based in Huddersfield, contacted Complete Asbestos Surveys after discovering that their historic asbestos survey records could no longer be located. As asbestos management remains a legal requirement for commercial and industrial premises, the business required a new asbestos management survey to identify any asbestos-containing materials and ensure full compliance with current regulations. Working across a large operational factory environment, we carried out a comprehensive asbestos management survey covering production areas, offices, workshops and external building elements while allowing the business to continue operating with minimal disruption.
Case Study Overview
- Provided
- Asbestos Management Survey
- Client
- HB Bearings
- Location
- Huddersfield
- Year
- 2023
- Duration
- 4–5 Hours
- Cost
- £550
The Client's Challenge
As a busy manufacturing facility in Hudderfield employing over 50 staff, HB Bearings needed a clear understanding of any asbestos risks present within their premises. The factory had been operating for decades and, like many industrial buildings of a similar age, contained a variety of original construction materials and historic building elements.
Without an up-to-date asbestos survey and asbestos register, the company faced difficulties demonstrating compliance with their legal duty to manage asbestos. The client required a detailed survey that could be completed safely around ongoing engineering operations while providing practical guidance on how any identified asbestos-containing materials should be managed moving forward.
Our Approach
We carried out a full asbestos management survey across approximately 4,500m² of factory, workshop, office and external areas. The inspection included production facilities, storage areas, welfare facilities, plant spaces and external roof structures.
A total of 11 samples were taken from suspect materials and submitted for UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis. The survey identified several asbestos-containing materials across the site, including asbestos insulating board ceiling and wall panels, asbestos cement roof sheets, woven fuse guards and rope seals associated with older industrial equipment and building elements.
Where asbestos-containing materials were identified, each item was assessed for condition, accessibility and potential risk. Detailed recommendations were then provided regarding encapsulation, labelling, management and future monitoring requirements. External roof inspections were also undertaken using safe access methods to assess asbestos cement materials without causing disturbance.
11
Samples Taken
4,500m²
Area Surveyed
£550
Cost
48 Hours
Report Turnaround
Positive Outcome
The survey provided HB Bearings with a fully updated asbestos register and clear management plan, allowing the business to demonstrate compliance with its legal duty to manage asbestos. All identified asbestos-containing materials were documented, risk assessed and incorporated into the company's ongoing health and safety procedures.
Rather than requiring immediate removal, most identified materials could remain safely in place through appropriate management, encapsulation and labelling. This allowed the company to avoid unnecessary expenditure while still maintaining a safe working environment for employees, contractors and visitors. With a clear asbestos management strategy now in place, HB Bearings can confidently plan future maintenance works and continue operating knowing asbestos risks have been properly identified and controlled.