Scotia Gas Networks Case Study

Issues

Scotia Gas Networks (SGN) own and manage over 5,000 sites across the UK, providing natural gas to 5.7 million customers in Scotland and the South and S. East of England. With the majority of sites between 10-30 years old, the threat from asbestos is an issue. In 2008 AcePSI were asked by SGN to carry out Type 2 Asbestos Surveys in accordance with MDHS 100 for approximately 10% of all sites across Scotland, together with an Asbestos Survey Reinspection programme to sites in the South and S. East of England. As a result of these surveys, SGN requested AcePSI to carry out and manage the safe removal and disposal of asbestos materials to various sites, with the largest project being the removal and disposal of approx. 200sqm of Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB ) panels within a live site at Fairmilehead TRS in Edinburgh.

Aims

AcePSI as a result provided a schedule of works and specifications for a controlled removal and decontamination project for Fairmilehead TRS. With constant on-site management and supervision AcePSI would manage an asbestos remedial project from initial identification through to final completion. This would relieve SGN of the legislative burden, ensuring safe and cost effective removal.

Approach

SGN procured AcePSI to complete the works tender specification to carry out the safe removal and disposal of unsealed minor damaged Asbestos Insulation Board (AIB) panels to the ceiling and debris to the floor areas under fully controlled conditions within a live site at Fairmilehead TRS. Specifications were sent out to 3 licensed asbestos remedial contractors, followed up by a site visit with contractors and SGN before a contract for works was awarded to Rhodar (Scotland) Ltd.

Requirements for access to the high-level ceiling was gained by employing a licenced asbestos scaffold contractor to erect a safe working platform. Under AcePSI’s supervision, the appointed technician ensured that Rhodar had all the relevant documentation on site and that all personnel were compliant to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006; including sufficient welfare facilities and on-site decontamination facilities were all in place prior to commencement of works. Fibre Suppression was carried out prior to and during the removal of AIB panels to the ceiling including Utilising Vacuuming Techniques for the removal of any fixings. Rhodar ensured that the supervisor that commenced the project was on site for the full duration of the works, including weekly site visits from their contract manager. Due to works being carried out at live gas mains within the TRS, SGN ensured that a full time engineer was also in attendance for the full duration. AcePSI also provided P402 training for six SGN engineers, helping to provide the practical know-how and skills for those wishing to undertake buildings surveys.

The project also included the use of AcePSI’s software solutions, in this case AMS Webtracker, which provides read only access to all relevant asbestos data. The asbestos survey data together with photos, drawings and reports is imported into the database with all survey records the responsibility of AcePSI for the duration of the contract. All asbestos survey reports are completed on the asbestos database with a copy of the report stored on AcePSI’s Asbestos Management System (AMS) database.

Outcome

AcePSI’s complete project management has ensured that SGN are asbestos compliant in all asbestos related issues. AcePSI as a result have now been employed as term contractors to act as full-time consultants, issuing continued advise and know-how for all asbestos related remedial works as and when required.