How to safely remove asbestos?
Many homes built (or renovated) up until the early 1990’s used asbestos-containing products. If you are planning on renovating or demolishing an older home, you will first need to have it tested. For more information on asbestos testing feel free to check out our last article:
How do I know if I have asbestos in my home?
Once you’ve determined there is asbestos present, you will need to have it safely removed before you begin any work that may disturb any products that may contain asbestos. WorkSafeBC recently published an article outlining the 10 simple steps to complying with asbestos abatement, which includes:
- 1. If the building is pre-1990 and needs to be demolished or renovated.
- 2. The building owner (or owner’s representative) or the employer (ie/ builder or demolition contractor) retains a qualified person to perform a risk assessment and asbestos survey before conducting work where asbestos may be disturbed.
- 3. The qualified person inspects the house/building, collects representative bulk samples, and has the samples analyzed by a qualified laboratory.
- 4. The qualified person prepares a report that identifies all inspection results (including drawings, plans, or specifications), risk assessment, and scope of work for the abatement of the asbestos.
- 5. The report containing the inspection results is provided to the owner/employer. The inspection results must be available at the job site whenever workers are on site.
- 6. The owner or employer retains a qualified asbestos abatement contractor. A notice of project (NOP) with written work procedures is submitted to WorkSafeBC before commencement of asbestos removal work.
- 7. The asbestos abatement company safely removes and disposes of the asbestos-containing materials.
- 8. After the asbestos removal the owner or employer receives written confirmation that the asbestos specified for removal for removal on the NOP has been removed. A copy of this inspection results is on site.
- 9. The owner authorizes the renovation or demolition of the house/building to proceed, with copies of the inspection results and post-abatement reports are on site.
- 10. If any asbestos is found during demolition, all work is to cease until a risk assessment is done and the asbestos is safely contained or removed. In this case, go back to step 7.
If you would like a free quote to have your asbestos removed safely, please call us at (604) 392-6476 or email us at office@precs.ca, and we would be happy to assist you.
Our office is located in Chilliwack, BC, however we also serve Agassiz, Abbotsford, Hope, Mission, Kent, and the surrounding areas. We are on the City of Chilliwack‘s preferred list of contractors and are widely regarded as the industry leader when it comes to asbestos testing and removal.
For more information on asbestos and the risks that home owners, contractors, and workers face in the construction industry, please visit WorkSafeBC – Asbestos.
Article: How to Safely Remove Asbestos
Written by: Curtis Hill, Environmental Building Inspector