Before regulations were introduced asbestos containing materials of all kinds were buried under soil across new Zealand to dispose of them, this has led to a huge problem where the ground and its soil has become contaminated with asbestos fibres which leads to airborne contamination if disturbed through excavation etc, all hazardous waste including asbestos under the regulations now need to be correctly bagged and wrapped and disposed of at licensed landfill site across NZ.
It is important to know that a PCBU who has control of a workplace has a responsibility to ensure that grounds are not contaminated before excavation begins, and if in any doubt assume it does until proven otherwise by ground analysis.
Having a specialist team in this field is key to making the right decision, our removal experts at asbestos free work with a team of licensed professionals who are qualified in ground inspections and surveys to ensure quality recommendations are undertaken, ensuring the correct approach has been done from the start is key to avoiding unnecessary financial implications and business disruptions for the client.
Factors influencing how asbestos in soil is managed
- The form of the asbestos-containing material, and how often it generates airborne fibres;
- The amount of asbestos contamination to the land;
- Deepness of the asbestos penetration on the soil – it is at the surface as a fragment or has it contaminated large surface of soil below?
- Determine what land and soil activity will be undertaken to establish the environmental impact from any underlying asbestos containing materials; and
- Use of the affected land and whether these uses may substantially influence the risk posed from the asbestos-containing material.