Gatwick Airport Transforms Asbestos Management with TEAMS

Gatwick Airport, one of the UK’s busiest and most intricate sites, is home to a diverse array of buildings—from domestic facilities to industrial plant rooms, along with runways and airfields. Managing asbestos data across this bustling estate has always been a daunting task due to the sheer volume of information. But with the introduction of TEAMS Asbestos Management Software, Gatwick has turned challenges into streamlined solutions.

Challenges Before TEAMS

Before TEAMS, Gatwick Airport’s asbestos management system was far from ideal:

• Scattered Data: Decades of asbestos reports were spread across countless spreadsheets and an unwieldy file system—25 years of accumulated data.
• Administrative Overload: Sharing and accessing information was time-consuming, delaying essential maintenance work.
• Risk Mismanagement: Fragmented data often led to misunderstandings about asbestos risks, shaking the confidence of staff and contractors.

Dan Hartwell, Gatwick’s Asbestos Coordinator, summed it up perfectly: “We had 400-500 page asbestos management survey reports for some of our terminal buildings. It was an awful lot of information to trawl through to find the problem.”

Finding the Perfect Solution

Recognising the need for a centralised, web-based asbestos register, Gatwick Airport explored various options. After months of research, TEAMS stood out for its intuitive design, user-friendly features, and client-focused approach—making it the clear choice.

TEAMS in Action

TEAMS’s Portal quickly became the backbone of Gatwick’s asbestos management. Key features include:

• Unlimited User Access: With 24/7 availability, staff and contractors can access the asbestos register whenever needed.
• Centralised Data Hub: Decades of scattered reports are now consolidated into one easily navigable system.
• Self-Service Information: Contractors can retrieve the information they need without waiting for administrative support.

Immediate Benefits

The impact of TEAMS was felt almost immediately:

• Huge Time Savings: Dan Hartwell estimates saving 10 hours a week that was previously spent on admin tasks. Contractors now access data independently, cutting out the middleman.
• Better Risk Management: Centralised data ensures faster identification and resolution of issues.
• Increased Confidence: With accurate, up-to-date information always available, staff and contractors feel empowered and assured.
• Streamlined Operations: Dan can now focus on high-priority issues, making the entire asbestos management process more efficient.

Dan shares his thoughts on the transformation: “TEAMS makes me feel like I am fully in control of that data. It gives me the confidence every day that we’re doing it the right way.”

Conclusion

TEAMS Asbestos Management Software has revolutionised how Gatwick Airport handles asbestos data. By eliminating inefficiencies and empowering its users, TEAMS has become an essential tool for maintaining safety and operational excellence. This success story highlights how innovative solutions like TEAMS can tackle even the most complex challenges in asbestos management.