Asbestos in Soils & Demolition Materials
An increasingly common legacy of former industrial sites is the presence of asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) deposited or dispersed within made ground, resulting in asbestos contaminated soils (ACS) present in the ground.
This issue is typically enhanced by poorly managed demolition practices, resulting in ACM fragments becoming spread across the site surface and/or throughout crushed materials. The presence of ACM’s and ACS can result in significant potential liabilities, programme delays and escalating costs for developers and landowners.
Soilfix have a vast amount of experience in adopting pragmatic, robust yet cost-effective solutions for asbestos contaminated sites, fully in compliance with control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 and relevant waste management legislation. Through careful planning of pre-treatment and materials management requirements, the volumes of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes removed off-site can be minimised.
Works are carried out by either Soilfix appropriately trained staff under a Notifiable Non-Licensable Works (NNLW) Notification, or, where higher risk ACM’s are encountered, carried out using a licensed Asbestos Contractor. The following cost effective and sustainable remedial measures are routinely carried out by Soilfix:
- Selective excavation, sorting and in-situ manual picking of ACM fragments;
- Screening and manual picking of ACM fragments, in an enclosed picking station for larger quantities of material;
- Stabilisation and / or encapsulation of ACS to minimise the potential for residual fibre release;
- Stringent environmental monitoring and controls, including fine-mist (virtual enclosure) suppression systems, reassurance air testing and scanning electron microscopy analysis to confirm airborne fibre concentrations are below HSE control limits as well as environmental background levels.
To guarantee compliance with CAR2012, all Soilfix employees who operate with asbestos are trained in Non-licensed/Notifiable non-licenced work are fully qualified, have routine medical exams, and have their respirator face-fitted.
For more information about asbestos removal in soil and demolition materials in Hull and the surrounding areas, get in touch with a member of our expert team today.