Envirocall Ltd has become the first company in the UK asbestos industry to power its decontamination units using solar energy.
The UK-wide specialist in the removal and remediation of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) developed the technology in partnership with fellow Coleshill firm D G Electrical Services, switching its entire fleet of 19 Decontamination Units (DCUs) away from mains electricity.
The DCUs provide a controlled environment in which workers decontaminate themselves and their respiratory protective equipment on a shift-by-shift basis. Acting as a barrier between contaminated and clean zones, the units ensure asbestos fibres do not escape into the wider environment during remediation projects.
The units are designed to meet strict health and safety regulations, including those set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Around ninety-per cent of NHS Trust hospitals still contain asbestos, posing ongoing management challenges amid a mounting repairs backlog.
Envirocall Limited MD Mick Tynan said: “Our DCUs no longer depend on mains electricity while on site.
“It's a serious step forward for our day-to-day operations – smarter site set-ups, less reliance on traditional power supply, and a more sustainable way of carrying out asbestos works.
“This isn't about grand statements. It's about applying clear thinking to a real operational need, in a way that supports better environmental practice – and we believe it marks the beginning of something better.”