Exclusive ATaC Member Webinar

On 24th March 2026, ATaC members gathered for an exclusive webinar with expert insights on asbestos management and policy.

The webinar’s guest speaker, Sam Lord from the HSE outlined what HSE inspectors will be looking for from third party asbestos service providers including surveyors, analysts, and clearance specialists. The legal basis is Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, with enforcement ranging from prosecution and prohibition notices through to notification of contravention letters. The guidance is built around three principles: a risk-based approach, the Section 3 duty of ensuring others are not put at risk, and competence as the central thread. Common failings triggering enforcement include no appropriate qualifications, absent quality management systems, insufficiently intrusive surveys, and unreasonable report caveats. Sam Lord's message was clear: the programme is proportionate and targeted at those genuinely creating risk, especially those giving false assurances that asbestos hazards are not present, but where standards fall short, enforcement will follow.

The ATaC Manager, Robert Southall, shared an update on the organisation, including an overview of the RSPH Qualifications.  He also included highlights from the HSE Asbestos Network Groups. With updates from the UKAS Technical Asbestos Committee and the ATaC Management/Technical Committees.

We are grateful to all members who participated and generously shared their expertise. Your active engagement strengthens our industry and raises safety standards for everyone.