Efficient Asbestos Removal with Consultex
When it comes to asbestos removal in NZ, there are a lot of moving parts. Many New Zealand homes and premises used asbestos as part of their construction back in the 1970s and 1980s, meaning there are many modern buildings with this dangerous substance hidden in their structures. Asbestos generally isn’t used in its raw form; instead, it appears to be incorporated into different materials to make them fire-resistant. Which means it can be tough to spot without professional help.
In this blog post, we’ll be digging deeper into what professional asbestos removal services really are. We’ll walk through the asbestos removal process in stages, highlighting how hiring a professional team to facilitate your asbestos removal will save your time, stress levels, and the health of your crew.
Before Your Asbestos Removal
Before work begins, it’s vital to conduct a survey to understand where the asbestos is, what kind of it is, and which safety measures might be taken to contain it. Thanks to our history with this dangerous material, New Zealand boasts robust Health and Safety At Work Regulations pertaining to asbestos. All works that involve asbestos removal or remediation must align with these rules to ensure the safety of everyone involved and any future inhabitants of the building.
There are three key ways the Consultex team will help prior to beginning the removal of any asbestos:
- Review of contractor’s Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP). The ARCP includes details of how the asbestos removal will be carried out, including the contractor’s chosen method and the tools they will need, on top of necessary PPE. The Consultex team will review the plan to ensure it’s up to scratch and offer supplementary advice.
- Conduct site liaison meetings with removal contractors. While we don’t handle the removal ourselves, our on-site team of experts will meet with your removal contractors to carefully analyse and mitigate hazards before work commences. This includes working with the contractors to make a plan if unexpected hazards arise.
- Review of removal pricing and methodology. We will also weigh in on the contractor’s chosen methodology, as different Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) have different protocols for safe removal. On top of that, we’ll offer our insights on pricing to help you stay on budget.
During Your Asbestos Removal
The most dangerous part of this process is during asbestos removal when flakes of this harmful material can make their way into the air. Asbestos is fibrous and crystalline, even when incorporated into ACMs. If ACMs are disturbed and proper measures aren’t in place, this can result in the fibres ending up in the air.
From there, they can be inhaled into workers’ respiratory systems, leading to respiratory issues and potentially cancer from long-term exposure. With all this danger present, it’s important to have experts on-site who can help mitigate the risk while removal is happening. That’s where the Consultex team comes in.
We supervise the removal works, ensuring everyone present is properly protected and using appropriate removal methods for each given ACM. On top of that, we work with you to install equipment for asbestos air monitoring during the removal works.
By sampling the air, we’re able to test the condition of the on-site air for the presence of asbestos. We can count the fibres and determine the type of asbestos, allowing us to advise you on the most up-to-date information your crew needs to stay safe.
After Your Asbestos Removal
Even after the main ACMs are removed from a building or site, there is a potential that asbestos residue has been left behind. Demolitions and removals are destructive and disruptive, introducing the possibility that asbestos has flaked off into the environment while your workers are none-the-wiser.
To prevent that, once the asbestos and ACMs are safely off-site, our team will go in to do what we call a clearance inspection. In essence, this is a final survey of the area using all the asbestos testing tools at our disposal. We will determine, once and for all if the asbestos has been safely removed from the area.
This allows you to do further cleanup if there is asbestos residue left behind or make a plan if there is more asbestos than first estimated.
All samples collected by our team throughout the entire process are analysed by an IANZ-accredited laboratory that staffs an experienced team. The results we receive are carefully compiled into our management survey report, alongside a material assessment score and recommendations for ongoing management of the site and its contents.
In short, our goal is to ensure that you and your crew are safe every step of the way. Asbestos removal in NZ is a tough job, but it’s easier when you have all the information you need. With the team from Consultex at your right hand, you’ll never be flying blind again.
Contact Consultex for professional asbestos removal services.
Considering asbestos removal in NZ? Make your environment asbestos-free with confidence! Our team is on hand to help you with every step of the asbestos removal process.
Contact Consultex today and experience efficient asbestos removal backed by expertise and safety.