Just over a third of the 18 certified final inspection bodies are not carrying out their work properly and are wrongly issuing certificates of compliance following asbestos removal works. This results in sites being wrongly declared 'clean'*, even though traces of asbestos are still present. These are the findings of a report published today by the Netherlands Labour Authority.
Despite these clearance certificates, inspectors from the Labour Authority still regularly find traces of asbestos at sites that have been declared safe. Asbestos is a hazardous substance that can cause serious health problems, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer. Between 450 and 520 people a year die in the Netherlands from mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos, which often took place years earlier.
With this alert, the Labour Authority is drawing attention to the issue of certificates of compliance being wrongly issued.
Revenue model and conflict of interest
One possible explanation for clearance certificates being wrongly issued is that doing so is financially attractive. By spending less time on checks, final inspection bodies can take on more assignments.
It is often the remediation company itself that chooses the final inspection body for the inspection. This presents the risk of a conflict of interest: a less rigorous final inspection can pull in regular customers more quickly, whilst the remediation company saves on costs. This risk is enhanced by the small scale of the sector.
Suggestions for system improvements
In its report, the Labour Authority sets out a number of possible courses of action, such as the independent appointment of a body to carry out final inspections.
Previous alerts
We frequently draw attention to the fact that asbestos is not being removed safely and correctly. Earlier this year, for example, the Labour Authority had already reported twice on cases of asbestos not being removed correctly. See Asbest verwijderen gebeurt nog te vaak onveilig and Programmarapportage Asbest (Dutch).
Today's alert comes on top of that.