Asbestos removal in industrial settings
There’s an elephant in the room, and it’s time to address it: asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous material that was imported and used in building materials between the 1920s and the 1980s.
Because it was affordable, heat-resistant, fire-resistant, and lightweight, it became a desirable material in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. Most builders thought it was the biggest and best thing for profitable building projects.
However, within years, experts began to realise that it posed significant health risks. It was responsible for a range of cancers and diseases that could prove fatal within decades of inhaling the small fibres. Therefore, asbestos was gradually phased out before being entirely banned in New Zealand by the year 2000.
Now, New Zealand and other countries are in “clean-up mode,” making sure that industrial, commercial, and residential buildings do not contain health-damaging asbestos. While building materials containing asbestos are thought to be harmless while undamaged and untouched, they are worth factoring into your renovation plans for if you ever decide to make changes to your workplace.
How to identify asbestos in an industrial building
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It’s not as easy as you might think to identify asbestos in a building. In most cases, it doesn’t jump out at you unless it’s posing a considerable health risk. However, asbestos is more prevalent in industrial buildings than you might think – even if it’s hidden among everyday building materials.
It can be present in your rainwater heads and spouting, switchboard backing and lining, door and window mouldings, and roofing materials. Vinyl flooring, electrical pits, window flashings and cappings, guttering, skylight frames, partition walls, fencing panels, and even your ACM cement vent pipes and ventilators can all contain this harmful material.
If you’re not sure whether your industrial building contains asbestos or not, it’s paramount to hire a licensed tester. Failure to undertake this step before building alterations can put your entire workforce and surrounding businesses in considerable danger.
How licensed testers check for asbestos in industrial buildings
Did you know that most work-related deaths in the building industry are due to asbestos exposure? Don’t have that on your conscience. Arrange a licensed tester to check for asbestos in your industrial building.
Several testing laboratories in New Zealand can handle building material samples and check them for asbestos. A licensed tester will take a sample of the materials you need to be tested and send them off to the lab.
Cladding and flooring samples are around the size of a $2 coin, while any ceiling finishes should be around one teaspoon, including sparkly materials. Until those results come back, workers should refrain from undertaking any renovations to their industrial business.
Who can remove asbestos?
According to WorkSafe NZ, the removal of asbestos can be split into two categories: unlicensed asbestos removal and licensed asbestos removal. It is always recommended that any asbestos removal work is undertaken by an expert, but it’s not a legal requirement in some cases.
If you are removing up to 10m2 of non-friable asbestos and asbestos-contaminated dust (ACD), or ACD not associated with friable or non-friable asbestos removal, then you can remove it yourself without a license.
However, you will require a Class A license to remove any amount of friable asbestos or ACM, any amount of ACD, and any amount of non-friable asbestos or ACM. A Class B license is necessary for non-friable asbestos or ACM, or ACD associated with non-friable asbestos or ACM removal.
These licenses and requirements do not apply to asbestos-contaminated soil. For all asbestos removal, it’s recommended that you consider using an expert removal company.
Asbestos removal in an industrial setting
Removal of asbestos in an industrial setting requires a tremendous level of care. Expert removal companies must seal off the area to limit exposure, wear disposable caps and overalls, and use a half face-piece respirator with a class P1 filter. All asbestos-based materials must also be kept damp during handling, and removed at the end of each day.
During this process, you mustn't water blast any materials or break sheets that could send asbestos fibres into the environment.
At the end of each working day, collect all residue from asbestos removal while it’s still damp and store it in a closed container or plastic. Mark the containers as an asbestos hazard and wear protective clothing and a respirator while you handle the bags or boxes.
Vacuum dust and residue from all surfaces (including in cupboards and drawers) using a HEPA filter-fitted vacuum cleaner. Follow on from this step with a wet mop. You must then dispose of the asbestos in an approved location and at the recommended depth.
What to do next after discovering asbestos in an industrial setting
If you have identified asbestos hazards at your place of business, and they require immediate attention, then it’s time to begin the removal process. Get in touch with a licensed asbestos removal company that can take care of the problem in the safest and most effective way possible.
