Update : Same Day Bulk Sample Analysis Service Available!
About Us
OHEC is a leading independent occupational hygiene & asbestos risk management company that provides reliable, cost-effective analysis, consultancy, surveying and training. We enable our clients to solve their working environment and asbestos issues as well as helping them to maintain compliance with the law.
Based in the North West of England, we provide our services Nationally.
Our Services
OHEC is a fully independent UKAS accredited asbestos consultancy. We have no financial links or associations with any other company or organisation. This allows us to give you clear results along with completely impartial, best practise advice.
Asbestos Surveying
Domestic, Commercial & Industrial
Air Testing
Asbestos-In-Air Monitoring
Exposure Monitoring
Air Concentration levels
Bulk Sample Analysis
Asbestos Identification
LEV Testing
Local Exhaust Ventilation Testing
Noise Assessments
Exposure to noise at work
Other Services
We use our expertise of the Occupational Hygiene & Asbestos industry to offer other important
and specialist services.
Training Courses & Seminars
Asbestos Awareness
An introduction to asbestos for all workers. Covering the dangers, accidental damage or discovery of asbestos and working safely whilst complying with the law.
We provide qualitative face fit testing for half mask respirators.It's an employers duty to ensure that their employees have a face fitting test to use RPE.
In January 2010 the HSE Published the HSG264 Asbestos : The Survey Guide.(Recently revised in April 2012.)
A comprehensive survey is the only realistic way to obtain the information required to effectively manage asbestos in any premises and to comply with regulatiion 4 CAR 2012.The HSE stipulates that there are two types of survey that should be conducted: A Management Asbestos Survey or Refurbishment and Demolition Asbestos Survey
Are you the asbestos dutyholder for a business or organization?
Do you need a comprehensive, yet easy to understand survey? OHEC will provide you with a survey report that is specific to your exact requirements.
Using plain English narrative.
Not just tables and lists full of incomprehensible data. (Although you can have that aswell if you want!) - Comprehensible data presented in a simple, easy to understand and navigable manner too!
Using photos of asbestos materials that are in context to their surroundings.
Not just close ups that could have been taken anywhere. - So you can't tell where the asbestos is!
Using drawings marked up with the actual locations of asbestos.
Not just the location of bulk samples. (Pointless information that doesn't really tell you anything about your premises.)
Are you fed up of ' NO ACCESS - PRESUME ASBESTOS'?
OHEC staff make the effort to inspect all areas of your premises, even if it takes extra time or special arrangements.
Are you a home owner who is unsure of asbestos in your property? Are you looking to buy a new property?
OHEC can arrange for an asbestos survey of the property so in the future there are no hidden surprises. If you need information for a mortgage valuation or you are going to be buying your council house an asbestos survey can help push things along.
Contact us Today to discuss your asbestos survey requirements.Contact
Air Testing
Asbestos-In-Air Monitoring
OHEC are UKAS accredited for both air sampling and fibre counting using Phase Contrast Microscopy.
Did you know that the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 recommend that the client appoints their own Independent Analyst to carry out air monitoring and inspection activities?
Don't leave it to the licensed asbestos removal contractor to choose.
OHEC can provide on-site asbestos-in-air monitoring and analysis to enable you to determine if significant concentrations of airborne asbestos fibres are present. We can also provide you with advice to help you manage or abate the situation, if asbestos is detected.
Our mobile laboratory facilities can also be requested, this will enable us to carry out any asbestos-in-air analysis without causing any disruption to you and provide a fast and efficient feedback to your concerns.
Contact us Today to discuss your asbestos-in-air monitoring requirements.Contact
Exposure Monitoring
Air Concentration levels
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for a large number of substances. These WELs are maximum concentrations, measured over representative time periods, that people may be exposed to during their work activities.
OHEC (uk) Ltd. can provide monitoring to check compliance with these exposure limits, the COSHH regulations and other statutory regulations.
Our services include:
- Measuring the concentrations of various substances in the workplace air.
- Personal exposure monitoring.
- Emission levels for a wide variety of substances.
- Assessment of the quality of the air returned to the workplace from filtered LEV systems.
- Temperature, humidity and air movement assessments.
Some examples of current client requirements:
- Testing for isocyantes and solvents at a large chemical production site.
- Monitoring lead exposure in various firing ranges.
- Total Inhalable and Respirable Dust exposure at a variety of sites.
- Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide monitoring in vehicle workshops.
Contact us Today to discuss your exposure monitoring requirements.Contact
Bulk Sample Analysis
Asbestos Identification
OHEC has the facility to analyse samples of bulk material in order to ascertain whether or not they contain asbestos and identify what type of asbestos is present, where asbestos is detected.
An Authorised Assessor examines each sample visually and under low-power magnification, in order to make a visual assessment of the sample and to inspect the different types of fibres seen in the sample as a whole. The samples are then evaluated for the six types of asbestos fibres detailed below, using an in-house method based upon HSG248 'Asbestos : The Analysts Guide for Sampling, Analysis and Clearance Procedures', published by the HSE.
CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS - commonly known as White Asbestos AMOSITE ASBESTOS - commonly known as Brown Asbestos CROCIDOLITE ASBESTOS - commonly known as Blue Asbestos
Three other types of fibrous, asbestos minerals are sometimes found in bulk samples, these are ANTHOPHYLLITE, TREMOLITE and ACTINOLITE.
NON-ASBESTOS FIBRES - Identifications of non-asbestos fibres are 'Not UKAS Accredited' Many samples contain other types of fibres that are not asbestos, these include:
ORGANIC FIBRES - could be of animal or vegetable origin, e.g. hair, wool, straw, wood, paper, etc... MACHINE-MADE MINERAL FIBRES (MMMF) - this group includes fibre-glass, mineral wool, etc...
The cost of sample analysis varies depending upon the speed of turnaround required by the client. Sample analysis result turnaround rates vary from 10 working days to turnaround the same day where the speed of result is critical. Prices are available upon request.
Contact us Today to discuss your asbestos testing requirements.Contact
LEV Testing
Local Exhaust Ventilation Testing
Testing of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems, including fume cupboards to enable compliance with the COSHH regulations. Our services include:
- Measurements of capture velocities, face velocities, transport velocities, fan static pressures, etc...
- Examination of the systems for physical defects.
- Assessment of the level of control provided, which may involve
- Personal exposure monitoring.
- Assessment of the quality of the air returned to the workplace.
- Recommendations for improvements or modifications.
Contact us Today to discuss your LEV Testing requirements.Contact
Noise Assessments
Measuring levels of Noise exposure
The Noise Regulations 2005 require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work.
OHEC (uk) Ltd. can provide the following services to help you comply with your duties under the Noise Regulations :
Initial Visits
Walk-through surveys, to identify areas of the workplace where the Exposure Action Values (EAVs) may be exceeded and to identify areas that may require further monitoring or creation of Hearing Protection Zones.
Assessments
Detailed sampling surveys, in compliance with the current noise regulations, using personal noise dosimeters and sound level meters to quantify:
- Personal noise exposure levels (i.e. LEP,d and peak dB(C) levels).
- Comprehensive reports including time-history print-outs.
- Suitability of hearing protection.
- Workplace noise assessments on a database so that old records can be accessed easily.
- Environmental noise monitoring.
Consultation and advice
- Auditing of in-house assessments.
- Advice on noise control and reduction strategies.
- Training and advice on hearing protection, hearing conservation programmes and audiometry.
Contact us Today to discuss your Noise assessment requirements.Contact
