Services:
Rolling stock storage, component storage & facility provision
Asbestos surveys and removals
Knights Rail Services is unique in being the only asbestos removal company to work solely within the rail industry. We are a Railway company with world class asbestos capability and experience, we are not a construction company with a railway division.
It is well know that since 2002 we have removed asbestos from over 800 of the most technically challenging carriages at our purpose built facility but we also offer a full range of services, from Asbestos surveying to the removal of asbestos from lineside signalling equipment within the Red Zone on 90mph main-lines.
Our wide experience in the rail industry gives us a unique understanding of the peculiarities of the rail environment and the high standards required. Unlike other asbestos companies, we only employ our own full time UK sourced staff, all of whom comply with the industry's Drugs and Alcohol and Working Time standards. And because our staff only work in the rail industry they can be trusted to work effectively within your safety regime.
Knights Rail is a Sentinel track safety sponsor (NCCA ID 53232) and is a Link-Up Qualified Supplier.
We offer a total asbestos management service to our clients who have included HSBC Rail (UK), Alstom, Angel Trains, Serco, Network Rail, Siemens and Chiltern Railways.
Services we offer are:
Asbestos Removals
Asbestos Surveys
Asbestos Consultancy and Management
Legislation:
The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places duties on employers to secure the health, safety and welfare of employees and those affected by working activities. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAR) specifies further duties and requirements specifically related to asbestos that are explained in Work with materials containing asbestos, Approved Code of Practice and guidance (ACOP) L143. This ACOP replaces the previous ACOP's L27, L28 and L11.
The Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises (CAR Regulation 4) is intended to protect the main group of workers suffering from asbestos related diseases. These are maintenance workers and anyone who has the potential to disturb asbestos unknowingly.
ACOP L127 gives advice on how to comply with the duty in regulation 4 to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. It explains the duties of building owners, tenants and anyone else with legal responsibilities for such premises.
The regulation requires:
- taking reasonable steps to find asbestos-containing materials in premises and checking their condition
- presuming materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence to suppose they do not
- keeping an up-to-date written record of the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials
- assessing the risk of exposure to asbestos-containing materials
- and preparing and putting into effect a plan to manage the risk
MDHS
100; Surveying sampling and assessment of asbestos-containing materials
provides guidance on how to survey non-domestic premises for asbestos
containing materials (ACM's), how to record the information obtained,
and how to recognise and sample suspected ACM's.
There are three types of survey referred to in MDHS 100;
Type 1: Location and assessment Survey (presumptive survey)
Type 2: Standard sampling, identification and assessment survey (sampling
survey)
Type 3: Full access sampling and identification survey (pre-demolition
/ major refurbishment surveys)
The removal of ACM's is not necessary if they are in good condition and do not obstuct or prevent other required work being caried out, but surveying, identifying and labeling, and recording these details is required to enable safe 'management' of the ACM's.
If the ACM's are obstructing other works or are in poor condition and cannot safely be repaired, then they should be removed in accordance with the CAR. Contractors need to hold a license issued under Regulation 8 (CAR) if work is to be undertaken on asbestos insulations, asbestos coatings and asbestos insulating board. If work involves other types of asbestos, containing material such as asbestos cement, a license may not be required, though contractors will still need to comply with the requirements of CAR. Asbestos: The licenced contractors guide (HSG247) is a comprehensive guide to working with ACM's and provides the contractor with the guidance required to comply with the law during ACM removal.
Knights Rail Services have a proven track record in the rail industry managing the surveying and removal of ACM's from rolling stock, from trackside equipment, and from infrastructure premises and facilities. We are more than happy to discuss and offer advice on any rail related asbestos concerns or issues and can provide complete solutions for the rail industry including surveying, making safe, and the safe removal of ACMs.
