The hospital wanted to re-purpose empty rooms, store-rooms and offices so that they could accommodate the influx of patients. However, the hospital managers suspected that these areas contained asbestos.  Our works were to be carried out in A&E and on the COVID wards, that are required to operate 24/7/ 365 days a week including during lockdown. Our services needed to be discrete, respectful of patients and staff, and carried out without shutdown of the areas. All risks had to be identified and a management plan was quickly put in place.  In an environment with distressing scenes on the COVID wards and A&E departments our trained staff maintained a professional presence, despite the uncertainty around the COVID spread, personal health risks and the general unprecedented situation.

We provided the client with their own designated project manager that was personally available on a 24/7 basis to keep the project moving and provide immediate advice.  This personal approach and flexibility was essential for continuity, as this was definitely a unique situation.  We carried out an initial meeting to establish their requirements and created a method statement so that all the client’s drivers for success were addressed. Our teams worked shifts, mainly through the night to keep disruption to a minimum.

Following a rapid asbestos surveying, same-day analysis and reporting process, AEC put together a project plan which allowed asbestos to be successfully removed safely and allowed the construction firm to start works to build the new ‘wards’ that were utilised to treat patients.