Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral once widely used in construction materials, is now known to pose serious health risks when its fibers become airborne. The most significant danger arises when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, releasing tiny, hazardous fibers into the air that can be inhaled. Therefore, the question arises: How do we demolish and remove asbestos with the least amount of risk possible?
Regulatory Compliance: Ontario Regulation 278/05
The safe removal and disposal of asbestos are governed by stringent regulations to protect both workers and the public. In Ontario, the primary guideline is Ontario Regulation 278/05, which outlines the procedures and precautions necessary for handling asbestos-containing materials. Before any demolition can begin, extensive site preparation is required, including the identification and assessment of all asbestos present. This preparatory phase is crucial to ensure that once demolition begins, the risk of asbestos exposure is minimized.
Site Preparation: A Critical First Step
By the time the demolition phase commences, all required site preparation steps have been meticulously completed. This includes sealing off the project area, setting up decontamination chambers, and ensuring that all personnel involved are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). These precautions are not just regulatory requirements but also vital practices to safeguard the health of everyone on-site. Read more about site preparation here!
The Demolition Process: Minimizing Exposure
At Apogee Environmental Solutions, we prioritize safety and efficiency in our asbestos removal process. Our approach begins with the careful dismantling of asbestos-containing materials. We utilize hand tools specifically chosen to minimize the generation of asbestos particulates. This manual method, though more labor-intensive, significantly reduces the risk of airborne fibers compared to mechanical tools, which can create more dust and spread hazardous materials.
Once the asbestos-containing materials are detached from floors, ceilings, walls, or vents, they are immediately handled with the utmost care. The materials are carefully placed into specialized asbestos waste bags, which are a critical component of the containment strategy.
Asbestos Waste Containment: Double-Bagging
The asbestos waste bags we use are designed for maximum safety. These bags are 6 mil thick and are colored yellow with clear hazardous material warning labels. This ensures that anyone handling the bags is immediately aware of their contents and the associated risks.
After the material is securely placed in the yellow bags, the bags are thoroughly sealed to prevent any escape of asbestos fibers. But the containment process doesn’t stop there. Each yellow bag is then placed into a second, clear bag, which is also 6 mil thick. This double-bagging process provides an extra layer of security, ensuring that even if the outer bag is somehow compromised, the inner bag will still contain the hazardous materials.
Decontamination: Ensuring No Fiber Escapes
As the clear bags are moved out of the project area, they pass through decontamination chambers. These chambers are designed to clean the exterior of the bags thoroughly, ensuring that no asbestos fibers remain on the outside. This step is crucial because even a small amount of asbestos dust on the bag’s exterior could pose a risk if it were to escape into a non-contained area.
Safe Disposal: The Final Step
Once the asbestos waste bags have been decontaminated, they are transferred to a designated steel hazardous waste dumpster. The location of this dumpster is carefully chosen to be as close to the project area as possible while also being in a secure, controlled environment. This minimizes the distance the hazardous materials must travel and further reduces the risk of accidental exposure.
The final step in the asbestos removal process is the transportation of the sealed waste to an accredited landfill. These landfills are specially certified to handle asbestos-containing materials, ensuring that the waste is disposed of safely and in compliance with all relevant regulations.
Commitment to Safety
At Apogee Environmental Solutions, our commitment to safety is unwavering. Every step of the asbestos removal process, from initial site preparation to the final disposal of waste, is carried out with the highest regard for health and safety. By adhering to Ontario Regulation 278/05 and utilizing meticulous procedures, we ensure that the risk of asbestos exposure is minimized, protecting our workers, our clients, and the community at large.
Demolition and asbestos removal are inherently risky tasks, but with the right precautions and a commitment to best practices, these risks can be managed effectively. Our goal is to carry out every project with precision, care, and a steadfast dedication to safety.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog and learn more about the comprehensive measures we take to ensure safety during asbestos removal projects. At Apogee Environmental Solutions, your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can assist with your next project, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help, and we look forward to the opportunity to work with you
+1 (343) - 988 - 0970
Editor: Carter H.
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