Royal Mail Investigates Sending Asbestos Through Post

Royal Mail has launched an investigation into the activities of an asbestos surveyor whose company is encouraging the public to send samples of asbestos containing materials through the post.

Asbestos Watchdog, run by John Bridle, offers a sampling service for people who think they have asbestos in their homes

As reported here yesterday, BBC Radio 4 programme,You and Yours, investigated this company and the man behind it last month.

However, in a response to an enquiry about the safety of sending asbestos samples through the post sent by Unionsafety to John Bridle via his website, he claims that he is offering this service using Royal Mail guidelines, and infers that other companies are using the Royal Mail but not adhering to their guidelines, the inference being that Royal Mail are happy for him to use the mail service to offer this service to his customers.

Chris Ingram, web editor of Unionsafety emailed John Bridle regarding his website advice on how to collect a sample and send it through the post: " Under your instructions regarding taking a sample you make no mention of wearing a mask covering nose and mouth. I would have thought this was one of the MUST DO elements of sample taking, even allowing for the fact the advice to dampen the area concerned is valid in order to minimise airborne fibre risks. Even so, is it advisable to be sending asbestos through the post?"

His reply was to ignore this point and claim as follows:

" [Asbestos]Watchdog has been in discussions with the Royal Mail and we are not infringing their recommendations. However the vast bulk of the so called official industry surveyors does seem to be out of touch with the Mails demands.  The Mail are now investigating this aspect."

The reality of course is that the Royal Mail are investigating him and his company according to today's edition of the BBC Radio 4 programme You and Yours.

Indeed they have told the programme that they have visited him at his home in South Wales as a result of their concerns over the health and safety implications. Postal workers have raised the issue of bags getting split open in the sorting equipment as often happens with similar packages.

Dave Joyce, CWU National Health & Safety Officer confirmed that it is illegal to send anything through the post that may harm postal workers or members of the public or contaminate other items of mail. In relation to Asbestos, any samples need to be sealed inside a sealed glass matrix before being sent for analysis.

Furthermore Royal Mail will not handle any substances sent through the post and international law makes it illegal to send it anyway.

John Bridle claims that using double bagged plastic packaging is ok with the Royal Mail and does not infringe safety regulations.

Listen to Radio 4 You and Yours 15th November

Asbestos Sampling Through The Post!

Designed, Hosted and Maintained by Oasis Heath & Safety Ltd
www.oasissafety.eu