Business of lifesaving in growing demand; Small Business.

Byline: Karen Dent

AN environmental business set up to help companies manage the threat of asbestos in their buildings has been inundated with requests for training after a campaign to highlight the dangers of the substance.

Tasc Environmental Services specialises in surveying buildings for asbestos and managing it according to strict government guidelines. Use of the substance in buildings was banned only in 1999 and it can be found in floor tiles, wall coverings and drainpipes.

The business at Seaton Delaval in Northumberland also trains workers to be asbestos aware and Ian Robb, who set up the firm four years ago with business partner Ray Doyle, said there had been a flurry of bookings from councils eager to educate their staff since an pounds 8m Health and Safety Executive campaign.

"On the back of it, all the local authorities have picked up on it.

We spent around one day a week on training, then suddenly there was a flood of it."

Tasc has trained people from councils in the North East and around the UK and has recently opened an office near Portsmouth to meet demand on the South coast.

Despite the training demand, surveying buildings for asbestos remains the core business. Samples are sent for laboratory analysis and the position of any asbestos is recorded.

"The difference with us is that most of the other companies will have someone who goes and tests and another person who takes it the asbestos away," said Mr Robb.

"We are completely independent - we don't get involved in taking it away.

Many people believe that if a building is found to contain asbestos, then the only thing to do is to rip it out.

"This is both expensive and in most cases unnecessary. Guidelines from the Health and Safety Executive recommend that it should be left undisturbed and managed in a professional manner."

Tradespeople are most at risk from breathing in asbestos fibres, which can lead to lung cancer and other diseases.

Asbestos kills 3,500 people a year in the UK.

Mr Robb said: "I actively care about what we do. It's about making people aware and saving people's lives."

A WORKSHOP aiming to help businesses head in to the New Year with new optimism is focusing on the importance of employees.

The Maximising People Performance in 2009 event on Thursday features leadership and management expert Andy Hanselman, who has written two books on improving competitiveness.

Delegates will work on defining their goals for 2009 and looking at what they need to do to achieve them.

At the event, organised by the Entrepreneurs' Forum, employment law expert Stephen Elliott, of Ward Hadaway, and Sam Colquhoun, from Right Hand HR, will talk about the legal and tactical issues involved in planning.

Entrepreneurs' Forum chief executive Carole Beverley said: "This is the last event of what has been a record-breaking year for the forum, but our focus is already on ensuring a prosperous 2009.

"The Christmas holidays and a bit of time away from the office can allow business owners to gain clearer perspective on the challenges we face and this workshop will be an invaluable help in achieving that."

The event is at the Marriott Hotel at the MetroCentre.

For more details contact the Entrepreneurs' Forum on 0870 850-2233.

CAPTION(S):

PROSPERITY AIM Leadership adviser Andy Hanselman.; ADVICE Ian Robb and (in protective clothing) Ray Doyle.