This case study offers a brief overview of a contract with one of the UK’s largest housing associations with a housing stock approaching 70,000 dwellings.
The Client
The client is one of the UK’s largest housing associations who work alongside 90 local authorities in London and the South East with a housing stock approaching 70,000 dwellings. The housing stock consists of a mixture of modern purpose-built units and transferred stock from other housing providers.
Scope of Works
The original contract was for the provision of all Asbestos Consultancy works to 75% of their void properties. Prior to works in the Southern section of the housing stock, the initial contract was for 3 years, with the Trust having the option of a two-year extension. We are at present in the 6th year of the contract.
What We Do Now
The original brief has now expanded to cover a much wider range of Asbestos Consultancy services, including decent homes works, external redecoration, management of the asbestos in communal areas, and all other areas where an asbestos survey may be required. The past 12 months of contracted works have involved the collection of almost 40,000 samples from a variety of properties involving in excess of 6,500 site hours.
Void Properties
Within the initial contract, it was specified that an asbestos survey must be carried out, with reports being returned within 48 hours upon receipt of order on all void properties. Thames Laboratories implemented a bespoke system to achieve these specified targets.
Major Project Works
An element of work that was not identified in the initial contract is the major project works that Thames Laboratories undertake. The company is responsible for carrying out a large number of surveys prior to activities such as decent homes improvements, estate-wide heating replacement schemes, or as part of estate-wide renewable energy programmes.
Contract Supervision
In addition to the original contracted works to minimise turnaround time for void properties, Thames Laboratories now, on behalf of the client, instruct the appointed framework asbestos removal contractors to undertake elements of asbestos work. Alongside the supervision of asbestos removals. We are also responsible for the undertaking of all monitoring for the deliverance of Certificate of Re-occupation, and the monitoring and auditing of contractors carrying out non-licensed removal activities.
Social Housing – Refurbishment
HSE issued an advisory note on the refurbishment of housing stock likely to contain asbestos on 26 May 2009. The guidance and information is provided to help social housing landlords, including local authorities, housing associations, and social housing management companies manage the risks associated with asbestos-containing materials.