Emergency Asbestos Removal at Red Beach School, Auckland
Overview
This review details our emergency asbestos removal project at Red Beach School inAuckland after a contractor accidentally breached asbestos fibre cement stairs. The case study highlights our rapid response, strict adherence to WorkSafe NZ regulations, andthe safe removal and disposal of hazardous asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
Project Background
Incident Summary
A contractor inadvertently damaged asbestos fibre cement stairs at Red Beach School, triggering an urgent need for asbestos remediation. The breach posed significant health risks and necessitated immediate action to secure the area and protect the school community. Luckily this happened during school holidays.
Site Context & Risk
Red Beach School, located in Auckland, features older infrastructure that include sasbestos-containing materials. This incident underscores the importance of robust asbestos risk management and regular safety assessments in educational facilities.
Project Objectives
Immediate Risk Mitigation: Secure and isolate the affected area to prevent further asbestos exposure.
Safe Removal & Disposal: Remove the damaged asbestos fibre cement stairs in compliance with WorkSafe NZ standards.
Clearance Testing: Conduct thorough air and surface tests to ensure the area is free of hazardous asbestos fibres.
Effective Communication: Keep school management, the contractor, and regulatory authorities informed throughout the emergency response.
Emergency Response & Remediation Process
Initial Actions
Site Isolation: Immediately cordoned o the affected area to limit asbestos exposure and protect students and staff.
Risk Notification: Promptly notified WorkSafe NZ and performed an on-site risk assessment to determine the extent of contamination.
Remediation Steps
Containment Measures: Deployed physical barriers and negative air pressure systems to control airborne asbestos fibres.
Safe Asbestos Removal: Our licensed removal team carefully extracted the damaged asbestos fibre cement stairs, strictly following industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
Proper Disposal: All removed materials were sealed, labelled, and transported to an authorised asbestos disposal facility, ensuring environmental compliance.
Post-Removal Clearance
Testing & Inspection: Independent clearance inspections and air quality tests confirmed that the site met all safety criteria with no detectable airborne asbestos.
Documentation: Detailed reports, including risk assessments, test results, and photographic evidence, were compiled to document the entire remediation process.
Conclusion
The emergency asbestos removal at Red Beach School in Auckland was managed with professionalism and strict adherence to regulatory standards. This project not only ensured the immediate safety of the school community but also provided valuable insights for improving future asbestos management and remediation practices.
For more information on our asbestos removal services and safety protocols, please contact us.
