This month we were delighted to welcome Alasdair to the Environmental Inspection team.
Alasdair comes with a background in technical occupational health and safety in leadership and analyst roles and training. This includes:
- Quality management, having held responsibility as Quality Manager and introduced new quality systems.
- Senior management, including as Managing Director for a UK asbestos consultancy and Operations Manager in a multinational company involved in various testing and inspection services, coordinating with global partners.
- Specialist oil and gas, manufacturing, healthcare, and education built environment projects.
- Education and NHS specialisms having managed accounts for Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and NHS trusts.
- Work in Equatorial Guinea and Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka on asbestos safety in the marine sector.
- Wider health and safety experience including as an Occupational Hygienist.
Major project experience includes complex asbestos removal on oil rigs. These combine the scale (large vessels and miles of pipework) and the challenges of containing and removing asbestos whilst accounting for nature. For example, safe containment when exposed to the elements. Also, air testing and ensuring readiness for ongoing operations. Likewise in retail – safe removal work during short windows outside of opening times.
Other projects in which he takes pride include having overseen the safe removal of asbestos from schools and hospitals in anticipation of demolition and construction of more fitting buildings.
Why Environmental Inspection?
Alasdair explains:
“I’ve been in the sector since about 1990, starting in a range of roles from asbestos surveying to asbestos air testing, and gas testing in shipyards. I’ve seen standards increase year on year – especially since the early 2000s when the duty to manage was introduced. There are always new things to learn in this complex business. Now we have digital data capture on site for example – not so commonplace in those early days. I like Environmental Inspection’s commitment to its values. This is evident in the comprehensiveness of their work, the quality of the software that they use, and the clear, user-friendliness of the reports that go out to clients. Combined with their commitment to continuous improvement, this attracted me.”
What are you most looking forward to?
Alasdair is keenly looking forward to getting on-site and meeting clients.
Also, doing valuable work, providing high-level consultancy to the public sector (healthcare and education providers) and industrial clients. Generally, making workplaces safer.
Something that is always in high demand is refurbishment and demolition survey work before building and refurbishment. Whilst Environmental Inspection has the systems and processes that allow us to turn work around in 5 days, or even faster when required … “It’s always best to be proactive”.
What this means for us
It means that alongside Chris Oyston (20 years of asbestos surveying experience, highly qualified in occupational health and project management), Environmental Inspection has a depth of functional, industry, and health and safety expertise.
We can take on more jobs that require senior-level expertise and judgement.
We can take on bigger projects that require the input of both experts.
We can take on more of the specialist work for which the company is becoming well-known and respected.
Alasdair will also be leading the continuous improvement of our quality systems. Especially, reviewing this for the needs of a scaling business.
Our Managing Director, Chris Oyston commented:
“It’s great to welcome Alasdair to the team. Having someone of his calibre and expertise in the team is very exciting. It will help to take the business forward substantially, which will benefit all of us and our clients.”
What’s next?
We are ambitious about growing our contribution to the safety and wellbeing of employees and the public. This means taking on major industrial and public sector projects.
Having Alasdair onboard also contributes, along with Chris, to ensuring the ongoing practical and applied nature of our training courses.