If you are currently living or working in an older building, the chances of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) being present in certain areas are quite high.  

Asbestos was commonly used in residential and commercial construction before the 1990s because of its durability, fire retardant and insulative qualities. Today, it is still found in pipes, walls and floors in older buildings, so if you are living or working in an older building it is crucial to ensure your property is free from any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). If ACMs are disturbed during renovation or demolition projects, asbestos fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled. This type of exposure can lead to significant health risks, including asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and more.  

In this blog, we will discuss the asbestos removal process, including asbestos clearances, and learn how Consultex Environmental can help safeguard your property. Let’s get started. 

Safeguarding Your Property 

An expert plan needs to be put in place to remove asbestos from your property. From testing for asbestos to removal, the Consultex team can guide you through the entire process. Alongside our testing processes we also oversee the issuance of asbestos clearances and certificates to verify that your property is free and safe from harmful asbestos fibres and materials after removal. 

 Step One: Testing & Detecting 

The first step toward the safe removal of asbestos from your property is to order an asbestos inspection. At Consultex Environmental, we provide a thorough asbestos sampling service which involves air, soil and bulk sampling of potential asbestos-containing materials on your property. 

Bulk sampling testing involves safely collecting a small portion of a suspected asbestos-containing material, which is sent for laboratory analysis. This allows us to confirm whether asbestos-containing materials are present on your property. Similarly, our soil sampling process tests for qualitative and quantitative asbestos results in the soil levels on your property. 

After testing, you will receive a sampling report with an IANZ Accredited Laboratory Certificate for confirmation and proof of results. After analysing the materials and confirming the results of asbestos exposure, a management survey report is produced. Our team can then help you plan towards a cost-effective process for safe asbestos removal. 

Step Two: Asbestos Removal 

As an asbestos removal consultancy, we aim to ensure that the process is seamless and stress-free. Our asbestos removal project management service includes a review of the removal plan, costs involved and clearance management to get your property free from asbestos. 

Never remove asbestos by yourself. It is an extremely dangerous process that professionals should handle. Ensure that whoever removes asbestos from your property completes all work to the highest safety standards and is in compliance with the Health and Safety Works (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 Act. In New Zealand, any contractor carrying out asbestos removal work must hold a relevant WorkSafe asbestos license. 

At Consultex, we can review your chosen contractor’s asbestos removal control plan and, to understand the scope of work required to safely remove asbestos, set up site liaison meetings with the removal contractors. We can also supervise any removal works, including asbestos air monitoring during removal works and carry out a clearance inspection once work is completed. 

Step Three: Asbestos Clearances  

Asbestos clearances are required after the completion of removal work within a property or building to confirm that any asbestos fibres are no longer present at extremely harmful levels.

This step is crucial to confirm that the removal work carried out was successful and that the property is now safe to live in. We categorise asbestos removal work into two classes, A and B, both requiring asbestos clearances and certificates after completion. 

Friable

Class A involves the removal of friable asbestos, which means the ACMs crumble easily or are crushed into a powder. A four-stage clearance inspection process is required, which involves preliminary checks of the property’s condition, a thorough visual inspection, air monitoring and a final assessment. 

Non-Friable

Class B is associated with the removal of non-friable removal work and only involves two stages for asbestos clearance: a preliminary check of the property after the removal and a thorough visual inspection of the area. Non-friable asbestos means that asbestos fibres have bonded into another material, such as cement or vinyl. 

Asbestos clearances usually take a few days to complete, depending on the amount of work involved and the size of the property. A licensed WorkSafe asbestos assessor must conduct air monitoring and surface sampling to confirm that air fibre limits and contamination levels are not exceeded. Their role is crucial to ensure compliance with safety standards. 

Get in Touch Now

If you are worried about asbestos on your property, contact us today. Consultex Environmental is here to guide you every step of the way, from effective asbestos sampling to professional asbestos removal project management.