Getting on the same page:

Effective communication is crucial in any construction or remediation project, and it is especially important when working with asbestos contaminated soil. There are a number of key stakeholders who must be kept informed and involved in the process, including the client, regulatory agencies and the other crews on site.

This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page, working towards the same goal and staying safe at all times.

It starts and ends with safety

There are approximately 50 people working at the Yarraville site at any given time, representing four to six different companies.

GMA plays a key role in managing safety at the site, which includes holding monthly safety meetings and daily pre-start meetings. There is also a dedicated health and safety representative working with the EHS – hygiene company to ensure that proper procedures are always followed.

Dealing with mother nature

Moisture content can be a significant challenge when screening and remediating asbestos contaminated soil. High moisture content can make the soil difficult to work with and can also make it more difficult to effectively treat and dispose of the asbestos fibres.

One solution to this problem is to implement a lime drying process. Lime is a naturally occurring material that can be used to absorb moisture and reduce the humidity of the soil. This can make the soil easier to screen and more suitable for treatment and disposal.

What it takes to manage a project of this scale

On this project alone we have two screening plants, two front end loaders, two excavators, several dump trucks, two D8’s, and more. Our asbestos removal team are all trained Class A removalists with at least 5 to 10 years of experience. We also work alongside other companies who manage other elements of the project.

After the contaminated soil has been screened and remediated, it may be reused on site as clean fill. This typically involves testing the soil again to ensure that it meets the appropriate standards for reuse.