First published in 2005, 'HSG248 - The Analysts’ Guide for Sampling, Analysis and Clearance Procedures' was revised last year following an extensive review by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The updated guidance considers legal changes, findings from the HSE’s interventions and developments in analytical procedures and methods. All UKAS accredited companies are required to transition to and implement the changes by 1st February 2022.

HSG248 Changes: What You Need To Know

The headline changes for the HSG248 Analysts’ Guide are:

On-site:

• Improved post-work cleaning standards for Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCs)
• Improved 4 Stage Clearance procedures and additional evidence required for the newly named Certificate For Reoccupation - the new procedures ultimately mean more time spent on site by Asbestos Analysts carrying out the clearance will now be required.
• New guidance and information for asbestos in soils and made ground - The HSE’s new guidance requires clients to be mindful when deciding whether sampling of soils as part of a preliminary pre-construction asbestos survey is required for reclaimed sites
• Additional information provided for asbestos fibre sampling and interpretation - The HSE does not recommend sampling and analysis in settled dust except in specific circumstances where the spread of asbestos from a substantial recent release incident is being investigated. Furthermore, dust sampling should not be routine as part of an asbestos survey.
• Increased number of audits per year for Asbestos Analysts
• Transparency of impartiality between Asbestos Analysts and Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCs) - The HSE recommendations call for stronger evidence of impartiality between the Asbestos Analyst and the Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCs). No LARCs should employ or have an association with the Asbestos Analysts on site.
• The requirement to estimate the duration of the Stage 2 visual inspection and to fully record and explain any deviations of +/- 20%

How do the HSG248 changes affect Lucion’s laboratory and on-site operations?

Following the much anticipated HSG248 changes, our UKAS accredited testing laboratory and the wider operational team have successfully implemented adjustments to our operating procedures and client services in line with the aforementioned amendments. 

Our Laboratory testing activities are subject to strict assurance measures to ensure integrity and impartiality. The analysis is undertaken by BOHS P401 qualified Bulk Analysts, quality of reporting is managed by a Laboratory Manager (reporting into the Technical Team) separate from laboratory operations and workload, managed by the Laboratory Manager.

Air, bulk, soil and SEM analysts participate in proficiency schemes administered by the Health and Safety Laboratory for external integrity monitoring;

• Asbestos in Materials Scheme
• Regular Interlaboratory Counting Exchange
• Asbestos in Soils Scheme
• Scanning Electron Microscopy Scheme 
• Low Asbestos Content Scheme

The introduction of rigid analysis times and assignment of amended weighting to certain samples required by the HSG248 updates directly impacts the time taken to analyse samples by a qualified P401 Asbestos Analyst per day. To accommodate for this fluctuation we have onboarded 10 new Bulk Asbestos Analysts into our Lucion laboratory, the largest asbestos testing lab in Europe.

Additionally, these essential changes have been reflected in our hazardous materials reporting and management software NexGen ensuring our compliance with the new guidance and continued accuracy in our testing services. 

How will the HSG248 changes affect Lucion’s clients?

As a result of the carefully planned changes with our laboratory, Europe’s largest asbestos testing lab, our clients will continue to receive a seamless service from an accredited, trusted, impartial asbestos testing and inspection supplier. The additional measures introduced by the HSE have provided us with an opportunity to review and improve our current operational procedures, improving transparency for our clients and safety for both people and the environment.

Is your asbestos testing and inspection supplier independent and impartial?

As part of the new HSG248 Analysts’ Guide, the HSE has emphasised the need for transparency of impartiality between Asbestos Analysts and Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractors (LARCs). Impartiality is important to ensure works are conducted without bias, and the Asbestos Analysts takes a legal, regulatory or guidance recommended standpoint on asbestos issues, never acting through influence or pressure from LARCs to certify a clearance as safe for reoccupation.

We have operated as an independent asbestos consultancy service provider since 2002, with no ties or affiliations to any other company. Whilst we do work in partnership with LARCs through our ‘preferred supplier' network, we maintain our impartiality and integrity through our robust contractual and procedural arrangements. All partnership and contractual arrangements are disclosed to UKAS.

Our Standard and Technical Operating Procedures are based on HSG 264 and HSG 248 guidance and accredited under UKAS ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 accreditations for asbestos testing and inspection works, and supported through our integrated management system which covers ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems for occupational health and safety, environment and quality.

We are defined as acting in an impartial manner under the control and separation of our UKAS ISO 17020 inspection accreditation and UKAS 17025 testing laboratory accreditation, which is measured through internal performance monitoring and external audit by the National Accreditation Body, UKAS. This ensures independence and impartiality between surveyors and laboratory analysts, and external bodies through P401 qualified analysts operating independently of our P402 qualified surveyors.

To ensure we continue to act impartially throughout all areas of the business, our Technical Team of 8 acts as an independent body within the company, led by our Technical Director who reports to the Group Board Chief Technical Officer for accountability.

The team monitors and reports on our performance measured against standards set under our UKAS and BSI (ISO17020, ISO17025, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001) accredited and certified operating procedures. They scrutinise the quality of works delivered and liaise between our clients and our staff with impartiality to reach non-biased positive outcomes that lead to improvements for all stakeholders. 

Lucion’s Technical Director, Chris Parr, commented: 

“The HSE’s emphasis on reinforcing impartiality and better defining time expectations for the client allowing them to manage their projects more effectively has been a great addition to the guidance. At Lucion, we have focused on the safe management of hazardous materials for the past 20 years. From the beginning, it has been essential for our company to think about what we can do to best serve our clients and reduce risks to their organisations, as well as their team and other individuals. 

This coming year will see the 'Going Live' of our laboratory extension. For our clients, current and new, our laboratory service offerings will grow exponentially, allowing us to offer additional testing services to our clients. We have developed our capabilities to extend our current service offering of accredited and certified hazardous material inspection, testing, and consultancy, delivering holistic and trusted risk management and in doing so, our clients gain added value, from a supplier they trust.”

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