ASBESTOS SOIL STOCKPILE MANAGEMENT

Australian Enviro Services (AES) were recently required to implement asbestos soil control measures to ensure that there were no human health exposure risks associated with asbestos impacted stockpiles. These are in line with our Asbestos Removal and Management services.

The source of the material is suspected to have been previously imported onto site as the stockpiled material has the characteristic of recycled concrete and was used as a road base layer.  Previous waste classification analysis identified friable asbestos hotspots within the stockpiles.  The asbestos hotspots were excavated and stockpiled separately.  A secondary round of sampling and analysis of the stockpiles was then undertaken to confirm that no further asbestos contamination were identified within the remaining stockpiles.

As a precautionary step asbestos control measures were implemented whilst awaiting the results of the secondary round of classification analysis.  AES initially hosed down x2 stockpiles and then covered them with a Geofabric material (280g/m2), ensuring 0.5 m overlaps.  We then anchored the Geofabric with tyres and rope along the longitudinal and lateral axis of the stockpile to ensure the Geofabric did not blow away during adverse weather conditions (AES has successfully used this method of anchoring stockpile covers/tarpaulins in wind conditions displaying gusts over 50km/hr).  An exclusion zone consisting of star pickets, asbestos warning tape and asbestos warning signs was then established around the stockpiles to prevent unauthorised access.  Please refer to the Image 1 overleaf.

The implementation of the above asbestos soil control measures significantly reduced the potential for asbestos fibre release into the environment as well as human health exposure to asbestos fibres.  It’s an excellent example of when good communication between Client, Consultant and Remediation Contractor result in effective measures being implemented onsite.

You can find more information about our asbestos remediation services on these pages: ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT | ASBESTOS REMOVAL | ASBESTOS SOIL CONTAMINATION | OUR ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

You can also read our asbestos case studies here: Removing asbestos after a fire | Asbestos Soil Stockpile Management

Australian Enviro Services are licensed, trained and experienced in the removal of non-friable (bonded) and friable asbestos.  If you need to discuss anything about asbestos management please just give us a call call on (02) 9557 8886 and we will call you back.