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Marks & Spencer PLC

The Company

Marks and Spencer has over 500 domestic stores, with nearly 12.5 million square feet of UK selling space. The largest clothing retailer in the UK, also selling food and drink, the company has successfully diversified to household goods and furniture. As of 2008, Marks and Spencer was also the 43rd largest retailer in the world, according to a Deloitte survey.

Whilst maintaining market position and enhancing share value are obvious strategies, Marks and Spencer has demonstrated its commitment to improving its environmental impact with the £200 million launch of its Plan A, a five-year, 100-point 'eco' plan. It will see us working with our customers and our suppliers to combat climate change, reduce waste, safeguard natural resources, trade ethically and build a healthier nation.

The Challenge

To maintain a safe environment for customers and staff, Marks and Spencer commissioned Life Environmental to deliver impartial and reliable asbestos surveys in all UK stores and Head Office buildings.

The need for a proactive approach to mitigating the risk of asbestos is far reaching and Marks and Spencer required a single contractor to co-ordinate and deliver all facets of core asbestos management in addition to the periphery but essential elements of asbestos consultancy and training.

Marks and Spencer awarded the contract for conducting asbestos management to Life Environmental who have implemented and maintain an impressive framework to achieve the identification, removal and abatement of asbestos across the organisation.

Our Solution

Our team delivers an unrivalled one-stop approach to proactive health & safety, training and environmental compliance and pride themselves in the structured way that this is dispensed.

We work with personnel and contractors across Marks and Spencer to deploy resources, educate and verify that the management of asbestos is executed to the highest standard, maintaining the safety of millions of customers and thousands of staff across the country. In addition to producing and overhauling the central Asbestos Management Plan which details the provisions in place to manage asbestos within Marks and Spencer's stores, our comprehensive solution extends to:

  • Guide to Health & Safety; Asbestos Safety an M&S Code of Practice
    We produce and maintain this critical document, which details the procedures and protocols, which must be followed in relation to asbestos works. The document has been reviewed following consultation with the Health & Safety Executive. Details of approved asbestos contractors & emergency procedures are contained within the document.
  • Asbestos Emergency Procedures
    Emergency procedures are in place to cover trading stores (during & outside trading hours), and stores during major refurbishment works. All procedures are detailed within the Guide to Health & Safety Asbestos Safety
  • Approved Asbestos Removal Contacts
    All aspects of asbestos removal work must be undertaken by an approved asbestos removal contractor. Details of approved contractors are held within the Guide to Health & Safety Asbestos Safety. Currently there are five contractors approved for work within England, Scotland and Wales and two contractors approved for Ireland.
  • Asbestos Removal Contactor Audits
    The Marks and Spencer approved asbestos removal contractors are independently monitored and audited by Life Environmental.
  • Asbestos Notifications (ASB5)
    All Marks and Spencer asbestos removal works are notified to us via a dedicated website. This website generates ASB5 notifications where appropriate which are then issued to the HSE. Close-off reports enable us to update the asbestos register/asbestos survey report.
  • Asbestos Awareness Seminars
    Life Environmental organise Asbestos awareness seminars for Marks and Spencer's key personnel, approved contractors & sub-contractors.
  • Asbestos Contractor Control System
    An electronic sign-in contractor vetting system, incorporating the latest electronic version of the asbestos survey report, is currently being tested within stores. The system is designed to deliver a 360o approach to ensuring and enforcing that only qualified personnel work on specific projects.

The Results

  • Proactive risk management is achieved via a structured and controlled approach to asbestos management
  • Cost effective solution; due to the Life Environmental one-stop solution
  • Operational efficiency encouraged by quality training/education programmes and excellent access to key information
  • Strong Project Management adds value, ensuring objectives are met


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