Best practice asbestos controls
Our Process
There is a lot more to asbestos management then most people realise. Without proper planning and controls, decontamination may be compromised; potentially causing delays and further costs. At Harcourt Insulation we have the process down-pat. We engage the best staff and have the experience of over 9000 properties to draw on. Here’s what you can expect when you choose us for your asbestos controls.
Survey
Our senior technicians will devise a best-practice survey plan to test for asbestos. There are different levels of surveys and legal testing requirements that must be met. These requirements depend on the type of property, it’s location and if it’s to be repaired or demolished. Safe, effective and compliant asbestos management is very much dependent on good preparation at the onset; our team invest the time and attention to detail required. All our surveyors are trained and hold current licences.
Test
Samples are tested via scientific analysis in an IANZ accredited laboratory. The test samples are analysed to confirm which type of asbestos is present, a key consideration in how we manage the asbestos.
Scope
After this, we will deploy one of our senior staff to complete a scope works that entails a full site measure, map and check to ensure all required areas have been tested. Based on this information, you will then receive a full and detailed costing along with options for either management or removal of asbestos.
Prepare a removal plan
Or, if appropriate, we will devise an Asbestos Risk Management Plan (AMP) with ongoing air monitoring. The management plan outlines your minimum legal requirements and provides a detailed task analysis and risk assessment. We will advise you of the legislative and council requirements regarding asbestos management, reporting and removal. Obligations can vary depending on the property type and location; and as experts in asbestos management, we are familiar with them all. You’ll receive all the required documentation needed for your project.
Set-up
Our decontamination experts ensure full set up in accordance with legislative requirements and organise all notifications. For all internal removal we always work to Class A standards. Thereby ensuring the highest level of safety to any contractor, sub contractor or other person that may be exposed to the property during the decontamination process. We ensure non affected surfaces are double lined in heavy plastic, as this minimizes the risk of cross contamination. In addition we deploy industrial decontamination units and negative air units (NPU) to ensure air quality isn’t compromised. Prior to starting the decontamination process, we engage an independent party to assess our set-up. The assessor will test the air at the entrance to our decontamination unit as well as the exit of our negative air unit, to ensure there is no contamination. Legally all fibers of a set length and diameter must be counted, including non-asbestos materials. Only when we are absolutely certain the area is contained do we start the process.
Remove & Decontaminate
The method of removal or decontamination depends on the product and surface legal requirements. Decontamination occurs in a controlled environment with rigorous controls to ensure safety. Our team has continued to explore modern international methods and equipment for resolving asbestos in the home and the workplace, so that we adhere to best-practice.
Retest and retest again
Once this process is complete, we carefully remove the first level of plastic and clean the area. The air and surface of the removal area are retested to ensure there is no residue. Then, the second level of plastic is removed. The area is cleaned once more and a final visual inspection is completed by the independent assessor to ensure the area is safe to be re-occupied. You will then receive a full Clearance Certificate showing results.
