Curiosity, care and compliance: Building a fulfilling career in asbestos consulting

It’s not easy being an asbestos consultant.

The challenge of working in confined or uncomfortable spaces, surveying buildings under construction and the pressure to avoid even the smallest yet costly mistake can make working with asbestos stressful and dangerous, even for the most experienced operatives.

But these worries aren’t front of mind for Environtec’s Asbestos Consultant, Billy Thompson. Quite the opposite, in fact. For Billy, each job is like a treasure hunt, ending in the reward of uncovering hidden risks and, ultimately, keeping people safe.

We sat down with him to discover what it’s really like being an asbestos consultant, the skills and mindset that help a trainee to succeed, and why he’s still just as passionate about the job after twenty years.

“For me, no two days are the same,” says Billy who’s just arrived back from a survey. “On a typical day I’ll be travelling to clients carrying out surveys in different environments. It’s an adventure. Sometimes I’ll stumble across a use for asbestos I’ve not seen before – it’s another opportunity to learn.”

And it’s this curious, positive approach to the unknown that makes for an engaged, highly-competent consultant.

Billy followed in the footsteps of family in 2005, entering into the asbestos removal industry at 18. He built up a solid foundation of the practical skills needed to safely handle and remove asbestos before moving into surveying five years later.

Combining professional qualifications with hands-on experience has meant he’s developed valuable expertise, and been in a great position to deliver asbestos awareness training alongside consulting and surveying.

The most testing jobs?

Environments that call for large-scale planning or where there are considerable logistical restraints.

“Balancing the need for compliance with the operational limitations on listed or heritage buildings have made for some challenging work. I remember this particularly at the site of a retail brand’s largest European store in London. The building was constructed in the 1800s and had a very high footfall, so you can imagine how complex the project was,” he reflects.

Keeping a cool, clear head during particularly complicated jobs is just one of the traits needed to be successful as an asbestos consultant. Working with this deadly fibre every day needs operatives and consultants to:

• Pay attention to detail. The devil is in the detail when it comes to spotting or anticipating an asbestos hazard before it becomes a real danger to those in its vicinity.
• Communicate clearly. Writing jargon-free reports with clear instructions is vital to the role, as this will be read and acted upon by professionals with limited knowledge of asbestos. Clarity is crucial.
• Problem-solve. With the potential for lots of moving parts, working in unpredictable environments, operatives and consultants have to be able to think on their feet, applying practical skills with compliance knowledge in order to work around a problem.
• Work well with other people. Liaising with the client or working alongside other on-site contractors means that asbestos consultants must be approachable and aware of the needs of other professionals. Being easy to talk to builds long-term relationships and often puts clients at ease.

A browse through Billy’s professional social profile reveals a key trait that has fuelled his 20+ year career; a healthy, almost contagious dose of curiosity.

“I’ll never know exactly what I’ll walk into. The state of asbestos management varies between sites, and that unpredictability is part of what makes the role so rewarding.”

“I enjoy the mix of challenge, discovery and responsibility that comes with the role. I think every good consultant does too. I think if you gain the hands-on practical skills along with the technical expertise, you can provide clients with hugely valuable knowledge on how to manage asbestos effectively.”

Start a new chapter with Environtec

Are you looking for a new start or a new opportunity? We’re hiring!

We’re looking for people with a can-do outlook, who are good problem solvers and who are motivated by providing an excellent service to our clients.

If you share our five core values – pride, passion, professionalism, positivity and proactivity – there’s a good chance you’ll excel at Environtec.

Take a look at our current vacancies and apply today. We look forward to meeting you!