Airborne Environmental Consultants

Airborne Environmental Consultants (AEC) is a specialist UK-based consultancy and testing laboratory providing expert services in asbestos surveying and analysis, Legionella and water hygiene control, occupational hygiene, fire safety, and health and safety training. Trusted by thousands of organisations across the United Kingdom and internationally, AEC operates under the guiding principle of advancing today for a safer tomorrow. The company serves a broad spectrum of clients in the built environment — including building owners, facilities managers, property developers, housing associations, local authorities, and industrial operators — helping them meet their legal obligations under UK health and safety legislation, including the Control of Asbestos Regulations and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.

AEC's asbestos division is one of its core service lines, encompassing asbestos management surveys, refurbishment and demolition surveys, asbestos bulk material identification, and asbestos air monitoring and clearance testing. The laboratory is UKAS accredited to BS EN ISO/IEC 17025 for both asbestos bulk identification and asbestos air monitoring and clearance procedures, conducted in accordance with HSE guidance document HSG248. Bulk samples are analysed by dispersion staining and polarised light microscopy (PLM), the industry-standard techniques for identifying asbestos fibre types including chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), and other regulated mineral fibres. For surveying and sampling activities, AEC holds a separate UKAS accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020 (Type C inspection body, award No. 0232). AEC also participates in the Asbestos in Materials Scheme (AIMS) and the Regular Interlaboratory Counting Exchange (RICE) proficiency testing programmes, which independently verify the quality and accuracy of analytical results on an ongoing basis. The company surveys more than 14,500 properties annually and has provided guidance to UK retailers and consumers regarding asbestos found in play sand and craft sand products.

Water hygiene and Legionella risk management form another significant service area at AEC. The team delivers Legionella risk assessments, water sampling, monitoring programmes, and remediation support in accordance with the Approved Code of Practice L8 and the Health and Safety Executive's HSG274 guidance series. AEC is a member of the Legionella Control Association (LCA) and operates under the LCA Code of Conduct, which provides additional assurance to clients that services are delivered to the highest professional standards. All client reports are accessible around the clock through the company's digital client portal, powered by Alpha Tracker software, enabling organisations to view water risk data centrally, track compliance schedules, manage risk items, and download building plans and inspection photographs.

AEC's occupational hygiene consultancy supports employers in systematically measuring and controlling workplace exposure to hazardous substances and physical agents. Workplace exposure monitoring services cover airborne contaminants including dusts, chemical fumes, and solvent vapours, as well as physical hazards such as noise and hand-arm or whole-body vibration. These assessments are conducted to demonstrate compliance with the COSHH Regulations and applicable Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs). AEC also provides quantitative face fit testing for respiratory protective equipment (RPE), using recognised quantitative methods to accurately measure the effectiveness of face masks and respirators, ensuring that workers handling asbestos, chemical agents, or other airborne hazards are genuinely protected. Full COSHH assessments and air quality consultancy form additional components of this service line.

The company extends its health and safety expertise into fire safety compliance, holding BAFE accreditation to the SP205 scheme. AEC's fire safety consultants conduct fire risk assessments across residential, commercial, and industrial premises, develop fire safety strategies, and provide fire safety training tailored to specific building types and occupant needs. Additionally, AEC offers expert witness services for both civil and criminal legal proceedings. Qualified AEC experts are available to undertake incident investigations, produce detailed written technical reports, interpret applicable regulations and guidance documents, provide media commentary, and attend court hearings to give formal testimony.

AEC is widely recognised as a leading provider of health, safety, and environmental training in the United Kingdom. The company's purpose-built practical training facilities are described as the most advanced of their kind in the UK and the training division delivers more than 3,000 delegate places each year. Courses span accredited classroom-based open programmes, virtual learning, and bespoke in-company group training. AEC is an approved training provider for both the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP) association, covering programmes ranging from asbestos awareness and licensed contractor training through to occupational hygiene fundamentals.

AEC's quality and accreditation framework is broad and independently verified. In addition to its UKAS laboratory and inspection body accreditations, the company operates certified management systems covering quality (ISO 9001), environmental management (ISO 14001), and occupational health and safety (ISO 45001). It holds CHAS Advanced contractor assessment credentials and JOSCAR registration, the latter demonstrating approved supplier status for the UK defence industry. Safe Contractor accreditation from Alcumus — a SSIP member scheme — further validates AEC's health and safety performance, while Cyber Essentials certification reflects its commitment to information security. With operational bases serving Essex and Manchester and a national reach across the United Kingdom, AEC combines rigorous analytical capability, extensive regulatory expertise, and digital data management tools to act as a comprehensive and credible testing, inspection, and consultancy partner for organisations managing built environment hazards.