A WELLINGTON business which started in the spare bedroom of director Julie Lewis’s home in Priorswood, Taunton, has celebrated its 25th anniversary with its more than 70 staff.

G&L Consultancy, based in Chelston Business Park, provides round the clock asbestos management and training services across the UK and beyond.

It marked the anniversary by holding an open day at its headquarters for visitors to tour its specialist laboratory and training centre to view asbestos samples and equipment demonstrations and meet the team to gain insights into management of the cancer-causing fibres to protect the wider community.

The company has grown to employ more than 70 professional staff in Wellington and Banbridge, in Northern Ireland, and a fleet of 35 vans.

They specialise in asbestos surveys, testing, air monitoring, removal, repair or encapsulation, and management plans for building safety.

Asbestos removals and air test manager Jason Monger said: “Our mission is to safeguard everybody in the built environment and raise awareness about asbestos dangers.

“Inhaling asbestos fibres can lead to mesothelioma, an incurable cancer affecting thousands each year.

“Despite being banned in 1999, asbestos is still found in buildings across the country.”

Mr Monger said G&L also empowered others to tackle the hazards through its comprehensive training courses in asbestos awareness, management, and removals, and an essential respirator face fit testing service.

He said: “A properly fitted respirator is crucial for maximum protection in environments where hazardous particles, vapours, and gases are present.

“From construction and engineering to healthcare and emergency response, many professions rely on these life-saving devices.”

Mr Monger said he hoped the company’s anniversary celebrations would help raise awareness of the issue of asbestos exposure and the risk it posed to the public.

He said: “The challenge is, we are dealing with threats invisible to the naked eye, which is why it is vital to have a professional evaluate the potential asbestos-containing material and remove it in accordance with regulations.

“Most are unaware that asbestos-related illnesses can manifest decades after exposure, similar to inhaling hazardous particles like hardwood dust, which are carcinogenic.

“The only way to protect yourself is to limit exposure and ensure you have a properly fitted respirator if you must be exposed.”

Mr Monger said it was not only construction materials which harboured asbestos, consumer products such as brake components for cars, fire blankets, ironing boards, heaters, and Bakelite items such as toilet cisterns, televisions, telephones, and even light switches, did too.

He said despite asbestos officially being banned 25 years ago, countless buildings around the UK still posed a significant risk.

Mr Monger said: “If asbestos is disturbed, deadly fibres can be released into the environment.

“If your property was built before the early 2000s, it is crucial to consider an asbestos survey to identify any potential risks to the occupants.”

He said G&L Consultancy was always ready to provide friendly advice and training for anybody who needed help with asbestos-related issues and could be contacted on 01823 443898.