Overview
The Co-operative Group are a British consumer co-operative with a diverse family of retail businesses including food retail and wholesale; electrical retail; financial services; insurance services; legal services and funeral care, with more than 4,200 locations. We have been working as a preferred supplier with The Co-operative Group since 2014. In 2019, we were successfully awarded onto the 6-year Framework to undertake Asbestos removal on various Co-operative Properties.
The Works & Technical Capability
The works we conduct for The Co-operative Group involve all types of asbestos removal situations where asbestos is located in buildings including asbestos removal of confirmed ACM’s, encapsulation, environmental clean/decontamination, waste collection. Licensed removal under fully controlled conditions using appropriate control measures and conforming at all times to CAR 2012 and all legislation requirements in line with our 3-year asbestos removal licence. In the last 12 months, we have carried out numerous different projects with The Co- operative Group yielding (c£250K) which have been in partnership with the asbestos consultant Spectra Analysis Services Ltd. The asbestos abatement operation is monitored and managed by Spectra Analysis for the complete duration of the works. All asbestos related works are completed to the satisfaction of the asbestos consultant.
All works have been serviced from our Head office located in Basildon by our experienced Contracts Managers who have over 35 years in the industry giving confidence to The Co-operative Group that there is a vast knowledge which will assist in each project running smoothly.
Before any project is undertaken with The Co-operative Group, we assess staffing levels by producing a labour histogram to maintain a balance of productivity within the timescales and ensuring each project delivers within the financial constraints.
Removal and decontamination works were undertaken for the Co-op at Hearne Bay, works were completed over a 5-day period (c£35k). Our partnership working ethos with Spectra Analysis allows us to efficiently communicate site visits and scope works, such as this, with The Co-operative Group accordingly. Works at Hearne Bay involved the removal of asbestos insulating board panels for a soffit to a drive through vehicle Arch to the rear of the store. Prior to any removal activity the boards had been treated with surfactant mixed at a ratio of 10 parts water to 1 part surfactant and was applied by means of handheld manual pump up spray and allowed for penetration. Foul drainage was discharged via filtered pipe into a container that was emptied into drain. The DCU was then tested by our supervisor and signed off as ready for use. With the scaffold already in place, the enclosure was constructed from the existing structural elements of the building to which 1000-gauge polythene were fixed. 50mm x 50mm softwood was sawn to length to assist in the construction and support the enclosure. Corex sheeting was laid over the floor. The corex was double with 1000g polythene and all joints and seam 75mm polycloth tape. A single airlock and 3 stage baglock was constructed using 1000-gauge polythene, fixed over square sectioned metal tube frame approximately 1 sq. m x 2m high. A tunnel from the single airlock to the DCU was constructed using 50mm x 50mm softwood and 1000g polyethene sheeting. All joints and seams were sealed with 75mm polycloth tape. Access and egress from the enclosure was via means of the air lock/tunnel which has warning signage fitted. All our works will adhere to strict health and safety procedures regarding access, using appropriate hazard signage, and hoarding/panelling/fencing to restrict access and always comply with CAR 2012 and current legislation. Enough viewing panels fitted to the enclosure wall, direct connection and 3 stage airlock, bagging lock to allow comprehensive vision of the entire area.
Aspect conducted works under fully controlled conditions to remove a loose piece of A.I.B. lying on the floor followed by full decontamination of a boiler house for The Co-operative Group in Watford (c£15k). The work involved the removal of Loose Amosite Asbestos Insulating Board access panel that was situated on the floor, approx. 0.25m2. In addition, the removal of asbestos gaskets to the boiler was conducted, as well as the removal of asbestos millboard panel, rope seal, debris and putty to the boiler. This was then finalised by removing all asbestos insulating board debris from floor areas. All removals were followed by decontamination of the enclosure and all the floor trenches being cleaned out.
Most recently, Aspect worked with The Co-operative Group Funeral care services at Croxley Green, Rickmansworth. This contract involved working nights and weekends (c£8K). The works were undertaken by the removal and disposal of asbestos insulting board lobby area and the decontamination of AIB debris and non-asbestos ceiling tiles and the encapsulation of and AIB panel located above non asbestos ceiling tiles at high level on the ground floor, within the lobby area and the decontamination of the enclosure. All works were undertaken within a fully controlled enclosure, placed under negative pressure.
Aspect Contracts always manage project obligations when conducting works on behalf of the Co-Op Group making sure all timeframes are adhered to by following procedures with check and hold points put in place.
The Co-operative Group expect an exemplary standard of asbestos abatement work across its stores and premises and will not accept any substandard work or breaches of best practice. All works must be in strict accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR2012) and associated HSE guidance (HSG247, HSG210 etc. and any future revisions).
