EntrySign and UKNAR collaborate to mitigate the risks of accidental asbestos exposures in UK schools and buildings

BARNSLEY & LONDON, UK, September 13, 2023 – Global visitor and contractor management specialists EntrySign, team up with the UK National Asbestos Register (UKNAR), a new social enterprise working to improve awareness around asbestos management. Together, they aim to mitigate the risks of accidental asbestos exposures in UK schools, hospitals, public buildings and businesses. This is through improved access to vital asbestos information when a contractor uses EntrySign to sign in. When disturbed and damaged, asbestos can pose a risk to human health and can cause serious illness, such as asbestosis, pleural thickening, mesothelioma and lung cancer.

80.9% of participating state-funded schools and academies in England were found to have asbestos present on their school estate, according to a Department for Education report (2019). Therefore, it is crucial that schools alert contractors and staff of asbestos-containing materials within their properties, to avoid accidental exposure. According to the National Education Union (NEU), more than 200 teachers have died from mesothelioma since 2001, caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres in the school environment.

Asbestos SMART, developed by UKNAR, provides schools and organisations with a means to share vital asbestos information via a unique QR code. Scanning this QR code with a smartphone gives contractors and staff instant access to an up-to-date, concise and easy-to-understand UKNAR asbestos register for the building. EntrySign can ensure the asbestos register is viewed and accepted before any work commences. This is by displaying an asbestos management notice and the SMART QR code during the sign-in process.

Contractors and personnel can read and accept any health and safety policies and confirm they have had relevant training. This information is recorded, making it easy for staff to export reports for future audits and inspections. Documentation linking to contractors, such as permits to work and risk assessments can be tracked via EntrySign, making it easy to keep information up to date.

Nev Roberts, Head of Development at EntrySign –

“As Head of Development at EntrySign, I am always looking to develop and integrate new solutions to help our customers with their on-site security and safety requirements. In addition to our existing sign-in and contractor management solutions, our UKNAR Asbestos SMART collaboration will enable us to provide an even safer contractor sign-in process. With our collaboration, EntrySign can contribute towards a safer and healthier working environment. This is by enforcing the review of asbestos registers and policies during sign-in and recording vital information. I am pleased to be working with UKNAR and supporting our customers with their safety and regulatory responsibilities”.

Andy Brown, Co-Founder and Director at UKNAR –

“Having spent over twenty years in the asbestos industry and operated as a fully qualified asbestos consultant for over 15 years, I am acutely aware of the varied challenges that so many responsible persons face trying to manage asbestos safely within their organisations”.

“EntrySign is a great product, and we believe this collaboration will enable more building occupants, visitors and contractors to access vital asbestos information and remain safe whilst in buildings protected by the EntrySign and Asbestos SMART systems”.

Andy Brown (UKNAR) and Matt Livesey (EntrySign) are delighted to host a joint webinar focusing on: How to mitigate the risks of accidental asbestos exposures. The webinar is open to all schools and organisations and is due to take place on the 19^th of October 2023 at 10:00AM, lasting approximately 30 minutes. The webinar will cover:

• A demonstration of the sign-in process with EntrySign and Asbestos SMART.
• An explanation of why this process is crucial for asbestos management, highlighting key features and benefits for efficient management.
• Example reports and scenarios.
• Q&A session where attendees can ask questions.

To register for the webinar, please visit: https://www.entrysign.co.uk/uknar-webinar-sign-up/