ASBESTOS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
ASBESTOS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EXPERTISE TO PLAN FOR SAFETY
Almost nothing stops a project quicker than the suspicion of asbestos and other hazardous material.
Not only can project budgets and deadlines be critically impacted, but if they become airborne, these materials can also tie companies up in litigation for years and ruin the lives of those exposed.
The best course of action is always early inspection, long before a project begins, allowing companies to identify, plan and remove materials safely. CTL Engineering offers services to inspect, identify and abate:
- Asbestos,
- Lead-based paint,
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
- Mercury,
- Mold, and
- Radon.
Once hazardous material has been identified, CTL works directly with clients to create a plan for abatement, either as removal or remediation.
ASBESTOS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INSPECTION AND ASSESSMENT
CTL’s in-house personnel are trained in identifying materials that might be likely to contain asbestos, lead-based paint, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, or other hazardous materials.
There are several circumstances in which property owners, project managers, or contractors may want or even be required to conduct a survey looking for these materials:
- Before building demolition and many renovations, property owners may be required to file a notification with the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) under National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) notifying them of asbestos and other air pollutants.
- Schools must regularly conduct asbestos inspections, even in the absence of demolition or renovation, to ensure air quality. CTL inspections comply with the standards set in the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
- Companies may also want to have materials evaluated to limit liability and ensure the safety of people working on-site.
During a hazardous material survey, CTL inspectors will evaluate either the entire building or only certain materials, depending on the expected renovations. Many assessments can be performed on-site. CTL uses an XRF machine,for instance, to produce highly accurate lead-based paint readings. But since asbestos and other hazards are not visible to the human eye, a complete survey typically includes laboratory testing for conclusive results.
In addition, air sampling may sometimes be needed, and CTL has in-house equipment to perform asbestos (PCM) air sampling, mold inspections, and radon testing.
PROJECT DESIGN
Once hazardous materials have been identified, an abatement or containment plan must be put into place to limit exposure.
CTL prepares bid specifications, assists in selecting a certified abatement contractor, developing management plans, and estimating costs for properly managing or removing the ACMs.
ASBESTOS ABATEMENT OVERSIGHT
Finally, CTL provides asbestos oversight. As a third-party observer, CTL ensures that the abatement contractor follows the regulatory protocols and limits exposure to workers and occupants.
In some cases, a certified professional will be on hand daily to conduct air samples and complete observation reports. In other cases, only a final inspection may be needed to ensure no asbestos is present in the air before people reoccupy the building.
ASBESTOS RISKS CANNOT BE IGNORED
At this point, asbestos risks are so well known that ignoring them or downplaying them is close to the definition of negligence. Asbestos exposure has been called the source of the most significant tort liability in US history.
More importantly, individual asbestos fibers are so tiny that we cannot see them. When people breathe them into their lungs, the fibers stay put, introducing possible permanent scarring of lung tissue, damage to the lining of the lungs, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Other hazardous materials, such as Lead-based paint, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),Mercury,Mold, andRadon, also pose their own risks.
Hazardous material dangers simply cannot be ignored.
CTL Engineering’s services are designed to assess the dangers quickly, create a plan to satisfy requirements, and smoothly get projects back on track.
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