Specialist Red Laboratory for Contaminated Samples Across the UK
Your one stop shop for ground stabilisation testing.
Soil stabilisation is widely used in construction and infrastructure projects to improve or modify in-situ soils so they can be used as a suitable, durable founding layer instead of being excavated and replaced. When designed correctly, stabilisation can:
Increase soil strength and stiffness
Improve workability and compaction
Reduce susceptibility to moisture and volume change
Deliver significant cost and programme savings by minimising imported fill and disposal of site-won materials
The Testing Lab PLC (TTL) provides specialist ground stabilisation laboratory testing to support lime and cement stabilisation schemes across England, Scotland and Wales.
Specialist red laboratory for contaminated samples
Our geotechnical laboratory works with:
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Earthworks and groundworks contractors
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Highways and infrastructure projects
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Residential, commercial and industrial developments
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Renewable energy and logistics platforms
We help you determine whether site-won materials are suitable for stabilisation, and what type and dosage of stabiliser is required to meet your specification (e.g. highways subgrade, capping, sub-base).
Why contaminated samples need special handling
Geotechnical sample preparation can generate dust, vapours and fine particles. When materials are contaminated, this can present additional hazards to staff and the working environment.
A standard laboratory set-up is not always enough. Contaminated samples may require:
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Enhanced containment and extraction
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Additional PPE and respiratory protection
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Segregation from routine testing workstreams
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Specific decontamination procedures for tools and equipment
Our Red Laboratory provides a controlled environment where these additional precautions are built into the way we work every day.
To discuss contaminated samples, Red Laboratory handling or geotechnical testing requirements, please contact our experienced and dedicated team:
Tel: 0800 177 7264
Email: info@thetestinglab.eu
Or please complete our online call back form by clicking on the “Call Me” button, and we’ll respond promptly.
Types of contamination we can accept
The Red Laboratory is used for geotechnical samples that may contain, for example:
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Asbestos-containing materials or asbestos in soils
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Organic hydrocarbons (e.g. fuels, oils, petroleum products)
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Tars and tar-bound materials
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Heavy metals and other chemical contaminants
If you are unsure whether your sample is suitable for Red Lab handling, our team can review your investigation data, site history and risk assessments and advise on the most appropriate approach.
Our red laboratory facilities and controls
The Red Laboratory is a standalone, purpose-built room within our geotechnical facility, designed to provide a safer working environment when dealing with contaminated samples. Key features include:
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Dedicated room with local extraction and HEPA filtration
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Isolated entry and exit routes to minimise spread of contamination
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A designated clean-down point for equipment and PPE
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Clear zoning between clean and “red” areas
Our trained technicians use:
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Task-specific PPE and laboratory workwear
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Appropriate filtered face masks / RPE, where required
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Documented methods and risk assessments tailored to contaminated work
Together, these measures help to safeguard our staff while ensuring your samples are handled consistently and professionally.
How we manage contaminated geotechnical testing
When you submit contaminated or potentially contaminated samples, we follow a structured process:
This integrated approach means you only need to send samples once, and we can coordinate the different test types required.
Why choose The Testing Lab PLC for Red Laboratory testing?
Dedicated contaminated-sample facility
Our Red Laboratory is specifically designed for contaminated geotechnical samples, rather than treating them as an exception to normal processes.
Protection for people and projects
Robust controls to protect laboratory staff and prevent cross-contamination help safeguard your project data and programme.
Integrated geotechnical and contamination testing
Ability to combine geotechnical testing, asbestos in soils, WAC and other specialist analyses, with a single point of contact.
Independent. Accredited. Nationwide.
Serving consultants, contractors and developers across England, Scotland & Wales from our National Control Centre in Doncaster.
Areas we cover
From our National Control Centre, we receive contaminated samples from projects throughout:
- Yorkshire & Humberside
- North East & North West
- East Anglia & East Midlands
- London, South East & South West
- West Midlands, Scotland & Wales
Samples can be delivered by courier, haulier or our own arranged collection service, subject to agreement. We work with local and national clients on everything from small housing sites to major infrastructure schemes.
Frequently asked questions about contaminated samples
Our Accredited Testing Services
Dear The Testing Lab PLC,
Many thanks for your prompt and professional asbestos survey report service, I would not hesitate to recommend your company in this regard.
This must be an absolute record for getting a report back, considering the surveyor arrived around 3pm – very well done!
Thank you for the very quick response for the quote and scheduling the survey. There’s never any fuss, and always straight forward. Thanks again.
Thank you for offering such a prompt turnaround for ACM testing and for your courteous service in doing so – I had a nervous client to placate and knowing the report would be back with them in such a short time was very reassuring to them, and for no more than a basic service from the competition!
Bradley, thank you for your efforts at short notice today, please pass on our gratitude to your surveyor Tim who did your company proud!
Thank you very much for the air sampling results – and please accept our grateful thanks for resolving this issue so quickly and for the promptness of the report.
Your analyst, Lee, was very helpful and his suggestions and advice appreciated.
We would have no hesitation in recommending The Testing Lab and will be in touch soon with regards arrangements for a full asbestos survey for the rest of the site.
TTL have been working directly as my analyst for the last 12 months on a very complex asbestos removal scheme, they have achieved all of their KPI’s without fail and on a number of occasions surpassed their SLA in acting for us on planning issues associated with the demolition in regard to contamination which cannot be removed as part of the normal sequence of operation.
There reports are always issued within timescales and they have policed the reports by the Licensed asbestos contractor faultlessly sometimes in very difficult circumstances.
