Complete Asbestos Surveys were instructed to carry out a comprehensive asbestos management survey at Thomas Broadbent & Sons' historic manufacturing facility in Huddersfield. The site had numerous asbestos samples and records collected over many years, however there was no single asbestos management survey or asbestos register in place to bring all information together into one structured document. The objective of the project was to inspect the entire operational manufacturing facility, identify and assess asbestos-containing materials, validate historic information and provide the client with a complete asbestos register and management plan to support compliance with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Case Study Overview
- Provided
- Asbestos Management Survey
- Client
- Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd
- Location
- Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
- Year
- 2024
- Duration
- 5 Days
- Cost
- £1200
The Client's Challenge
Thomas Broadbent & Sons operate from a large industrial manufacturing facility in Huddersfield that has evolved over many decades. Although asbestos sampling had been carried out periodically over the years, the site lacked a comprehensive asbestos survey and centralised asbestos management system.
This presented difficulties when managing maintenance activities, contractor access and legal compliance. The client required a full asbestos management survey that would combine historical information with new survey findings to create a single, easy-to-manage asbestos register covering the entire premises.
The challenge was further increased by the fact that production operations remained fully active throughout the survey period. Manufacturing, maintenance and office functions continued as normal, requiring careful planning, communication and strict adherence to all site-specific health and safety procedures.
Our Approach
Due to the size and complexity of the facility, the survey was completed over four days and covered approximately 15,000m² of industrial, office, storage, workshop, laboratory, mezzanine, roof void and external areas. Hundreds of individual rooms and operational spaces were inspected throughout the manufacturing complex.
Working closely with site management, survey work was phased around production activities to minimise disruption while ensuring safe access to operational areas. Appropriate PPE was worn at all times and all site health and safety procedures were followed throughout the project.
Sixteen suspect materials were sampled and submitted for laboratory analysis. Results confirmed the presence of asbestos-containing materials in ten locations and non-asbestos materials in six locations.
The survey identified a variety of asbestos-containing materials including:
- Asbestos insulation and insulation debris
- Asbestos insulating board (AIB)
- Paper vapour barriers
- Fuse guards and electrical components
- Arc panels and arc chutes
- Asbestos cement products
- Rope seals
- Flue pipes
- Vinyl floor tiles and associated adhesives
Several asbestos-containing materials were assessed as requiring management, labelling, encapsulation or removal depending on their condition and location. Particular attention was given to asbestos insulation materials identified within the main factory area where licensed contractor removal was recommended.
4 Days
Survey Duration
15,000m²
Area Surveyed
16
Samples Taken
10
Positive Samples
6
Negative Samples
£380
Cost
Positive Outcome
The project successfully consolidated historic asbestos information and current survey findings into one comprehensive asbestos management report. The client now has a complete asbestos register covering the entire manufacturing facility, allowing maintenance teams, contractors and management staff to quickly identify asbestos-containing materials and manage risks effectively.
The survey provided clear recommendations for removal, encapsulation, labelling and ongoing management, ensuring Thomas Broadbent & Sons can demonstrate compliance with their legal duty to manage asbestos.
Most importantly, the survey was completed with production remaining operational throughout, causing minimal disruption to the business while delivering a robust long-term asbestos management solution.