We loved our house from the first time we went through, but it really didn't have enough living space. We have worked on improving the layout of the home and increasing the living area of the home to create a modern and more pleasant layout to the home. We are really proud of how the job has turned out and we wanted to share some of the details of how the extension and layout changes where designed and constructed. This blog has some of the photos of our extension as well as tips that we have learnt along the journey,.
Construction & Contractors Blog
The presence of asbestos in the soil on construction sites is a hazard that contractors should be ready to manage. Asbestos can cause serious health complications to workers and other personnel during construction. Here you will learn the dangers associated with asbestos in the soil and measures that can be taken to protect the employees and prevent its exposure to the environment.
How does asbestos occur in the soil?
The most common cause of asbestos in the soil is structural renovations and demolition projects in which a thorough inspection of asbestos was never carried out. Note that asbestos was used in construction, insulation and plumbing materials before the 2000s. The material was banned due to its potential effects to the environmental and health of individuals who inhale the fibres.
Many buildings that were constructed before the ban have asbestos within their structures. If such a building is renovated or demolished without proper asbestos inspection and remediation, the material will find its way into the soil. If the site isn't inspected before another construction project, the workers will be exposed to asbestos.
What are the dangers of asbestos in the soil?
During a construction project, the soil is bound to be disturbed, graded and levelled for the foundation to be laid. When the asbestos in the soil is disturbed, the fibres will separate and become airborne. Individuals on and beyond the site can inhale them and suffer from a host of respiratory complications.
Asbestos can also be transported from the site to homes through the workers' clothes and the soil that clings to their shoes. As a result, a larger proportion of people will be exposed to the hazardous material. Control and prevention measures should be taken to prevent this exposure.
How should you manage asbestos in the soil?
Inspection of a construction site during the survey process and before any disturbances on the soil is essential for proper remediation of asbestos. Samples of the soil from various locations of the site should be taken and analysed in a laboratory. If it is established that asbestos is indeed present, the following measures can be taken:
Soil removal: The asbestos-containing soil is removed and disposed of in a specified landfill. Asbestos soil removal should be done under the supervision of an abatement contractor to prevent extensive exposure of the material to the environment during removal.
Asbestos capping: The soil is covered using fabric and more clean soil. This method is safe as it does not involve disturbing the soil and exposing the asbestos fibres.
Dealing with asbestos in the soil on your construction site is essential not only for the health of your workers but also for environmental conservation. Talk to an asbestos inspector about inspecting your site beforehand for asbestos remediation.
Share28 September 2016
