Hing Long Hong

Hing Long Hong Asbestos Management Survey Case Study

Hing Long Hong, a leading Chinese food wholesaler, was recently visited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). During this visit, the absence of an asbestos management plan was highlighted as a significant compliance gap. Concerned about the potential risks, Hing Long Hong engaged Complete Asbestos Surveys to conduct a thorough asbestos management survey.

Survey Details

The property included several distinct areas:

• A large warehouse
• Ground floor retail space
• Fridge and freezer units
• First-floor offices

Complete Asbestos Surveys inspected all areas meticulously, focusing especially on the warehouse, where the construction materials raised particular concerns.

Findings

The survey identified asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in multiple parts of the property, including:

• Cement asbestos roof and wall sheets in the warehouse
• Asbestos cement gutters
• Asbestos cement rainwater downpipes

While most materials were in good condition, two rainwater downpipes exhibited damage. These damaged areas posed a potential risk, particularly in a busy environment like a warehouse.

Recommendations

To address the findings, Complete Asbestos Surveys made the following recommendations:

1. Encapsulation of Damaged Downpipes
   • The damaged rainwater downpipes were encapsulated to prevent further deterioration and ensure safety for employees and visitors.
2. Implementation of an Asbestos Management Plan
   • A robust asbestos management plan was developed to monitor all ACMs, including the roof, wall sheets, gutters, and downpipes.
   • The plan incorporated:
     • Regular inspections
     • Maintenance protocols
     • Employee awareness training

Outcome

After the survey and implementation of the management plan:

• Hing Long Hong achieved full compliance with HSE regulations.
• The encapsulation of the damaged downpipes was completed successfully, eliminating the immediate risk without incurring costly removal expenses.
• The wholesaler can now continue operations with confidence, knowing that asbestos-related risks are proactively managed.

Complete Asbestos Surveys’ comprehensive and proactive approach addressed the immediate concerns and established a long-term asbestos management strategy. Hing Long Hong now operates safely, with measures in place to protect employees, customers, and visitors.