News Contaminated Land

Panel debate on Asbestos in soil

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Understanding the risks posed by Asbestos in soil will be explored  through a panel discussion that brings together Dr Richard Ogden (co-author of CIRIA’s C733 document) and members of the AGS Contaminated Land Working Group. The panel debate will take place during AGS Members’ Day, on 18 March and is scheduled for 3.30pm.

Dr Ogden will be giving a presentation to put the discussion in context and introduce the known issues and inferred risks surrounding the presence of asbestos in soils. These include topics such as the risks on construction sites during and post works, what laboratory tests are required and the international effort to understand the soil-air relationship.

Following this presentation AGS Chairman Seamus Lefroy-Brookes,  Chris Swainston, Steve Moreby, and Contaminated Land Working Group chairman Neil Parry will join Dr Ogden to discuss the issues.

 

News Data Management

Do you have AGS data format questions?

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The AGS data format comprises  a dictionary of codes denoting different categories and types of data commonly used in the geotechnical and geoenvironmental industry. Through it different software applications can exchange information allowing, for example, site investigation data to be passed from a contractor to consultant to client.

The data format is evolving all the time, so if you have a question, want to learn more or as an experienced user wish to submit a code for consideration to the working group please visit the AGS Data Format Microsite here.

 

News

Fairer AGS subscription model

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As you may be aware, the AGS has been significantly restructured to suit the demands of today’s members, and to ensure that it continues to play a central key role in improving our industry for the future. At the AGS AGM of 19th March 2014, the AGS Byelaws relating to membership were changed[1] and there are now only 3 classes of membership:

  1. Member,
  2. Affiliate,
  3. Personal Member.

To become a full AGS Member, you need to either be a Practitioner or employ one full-time Practitioner;

Definition of Practitioner: for the purposes of AGS membership, a Practitioner shall be actively practising as a geotechnical or geoenvironmental specialist, and will comply via one of the following minima criteria:

  1. a RoGEP – Professional grade;
  2. a Chartered Member or equivalent of the Institution of Civil Engineers, The Geological Society of London, The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, The Royal Society of Chemists, or other appropriate Institution approved by the AGS Membership Panel, with a minimum of 5 years’ relevant post-graduate experience; or
  3. 15 years’ relevant experience minimum if not chartered as in 1 (E) (i) or (ii) above, coupled with the ability to demonstrate a long-term, high level of commitment, dedication and professionalism to the industry.

As AGS Members employ from 1 – 500 practitioners, 14 subscription ‘bands’ have been created, to ensure a more equable subscription system.

Members should have received a letter in the post with full information listed.

The AGS would like to thank you for your continued support and to remind you that the AGS is a not-for-profit organisation and your subscription goes entirely towards the running of the organisation.

Full information was listed that Members should have received in the post, but if you’d like any further clarification, please email ags@ags.org.uk