AWE is tasked to help the United Kingdom maintain a credible and effective minimum nuclear deterrent. Works were planned and executed in detail to maintain on-site activities and adhere to strict confidentiality procedures. Permits to work were in place and signed off prior to any works commencing.
We utilised a dedicated security cleared delivery team, consisting of six to eight operatives and two supervisors and resourced from our head office in Kent to provide a 365, 24/7 highly responsive in and out-of-hours service.
Health and Safety was at the forefront of our operations for the duration of the project. A full check of each work zone was carried out by the site manager at the end of every shift, in addition to the daily pre/post job briefings given to each operative on site.
All works were completed with zero reportable health and safety incidents.
Having initially been granted access via a visitor pass system, all our operational staff were given the required Security Clearance vetting. The site and individual buildings included a range of test facilities and laboratories, all deemed as an extremely sensitive environment
The types of asbestos present were in the form of amosite, crocidolite and chrysotile in various materials. Mechanical aids were used to remove the external steam and condenser pipework, with hand tools used for the removal of all other materials present.
Various non-licensed materials were also removed as part of this project. These included cement, textiles, mastic, and pipework with a paper vapour barrier below MMMF insulation.
All notifiable works were carried out under fully controlled conditions with direct connected decontamination units. The notifiable materials included pipe insulation, residues, debris and asbestos insulating board (AIB).
We successfully completed phase one of the works at the Aldermaston site, which included licensed asbestos removal from seven buildings and external pipework in August 2020. Phase two, which included asbestos removal from external steam mains on a 12-acre site as well as AC bike sheds and three buildings was completed in March 2021.
Phase two at the Burghfield site was completed in June 2020 and included licensed asbestos removal from three buildings and external pipework.
