Occassionally we take our own samples of Textured Decorative Coatings and get them analysed locally. There are now some companies who will accept these by post and it certainly seems attractive cost wise. I have concerns however about sending possible ACM's in the post. Any thoughts? PS - Our surveyors are trained appropriately to take the samples. Thanks

In short no. See Royal Mail policy on dangerous goods . http://www.royalmail.com...prohibitedgoods_redirect PH2

This has been discussed many times in the industry and I think that the current position with UKAS and HSE and the Post Office is still that samples for analysis if they were double bagged and then put in a jiffy bag are allowed on the basis that it is not known what they are. ie small size of sample properly packaged and protected is low risk. I suggest you contact the lab you are sending them to and ask for clarification. Again from memory I think it was agreed with UKAS that a lab that analyses client's samples sent by post or courier should have a protocol for packaging for the client and wording for sample reception so that samples were taken for opening in a safe environment. The AIMS samples are sent by courier because HSL know they contain asbestos. One of the funniest ones I saw was someone who had sampled some ACM and sent it in to us for analysis was obviously working in a supermarket. They had gone to great effort to package the sample in a shrink wrap and seal both ends. The only problem was it was the sort of plastic film with holes in you put round french bread........ Kind regards Bruce