Asbestos continues to be a safety concern as buildings are remodeling and updating to accommodate new demands of customers or update to increase efficiency. Many buildings utilized asbestos as a cheap insulation for walls and in between floors of office buildings. The hazardous substance had a low cost and large flexibility in the number of applications it could be used in. This creates a serious health risk as the substance could be in the insulation or in the glue underneath the flooring. Each surface area should be tested by an Asbestos Inspector to determine if the substance is present.
Asbestos continues to be a safety concern as buildings are remodeling and updating to accommodate new demands of customers or update to increase efficiency. Many buildings utilized asbestos as a cheap insulation for walls and in between floors of office buildings. The hazardous substance had a low cost and large flexibility in the number of applications it could be used in. This creates a serious health risk as the substance could be in the insulation or in the glue underneath the flooring. Each surface area should be tested by an Asbestos Inspector to determine if the substance is present.
Buildings require constant maintenance to ensure proper functioning and to be inhabitable by the businesses and tenants of today’s demanding marketplace. Many property managers are enticing companies by offering to suit the available space to the needs of the tenant. Many of the demands could require major renovations by removing flooring, walls or even a complete gut of the existing finishes. Prior to starting the remodel is the most appropriate time to contact an Asbestos Inspector to ensure the area is free from the presence of asbestos.
If asbestos is discovered, the Asbestos Inspector will be invaluable in discussing the next step. If the asbestos will need to be removed based on the recommendation of the Asbestos Inspector then certain steps should be followed. The tenants and their employees must be notified of the presence of the substance, to ensure they are aware of the dangers and how to stay healthy in the environment. Any workers called to the area must also be given a disclosure to ensure they are safe and understand the risks the area presents.
The Asbestos Inspector could also recommend the immediate removal of the asbestos to ensure the area is safe moving forward. Asbestos must be removed in a very specific way to ensure other areas are not contaminated during the removal process. The area must be sealed off and may need a separate ventilation system to ensure microscopic particles do not escape. The material should be placed in individually labeled bags and taken by a specially prepared vehicle to a site that has made preparations to store the substance for the long term.
Click hereto contact an Asbestos Inspector to take samples of your building’s surface areas prior to starting a major renovation or remodeling. It is critical to ensure the safety of the construction crew and the employees of your future tenant.
Occupational Health Overcomes Everyday Hazards
Many workers face different types of hazards on a daily basis. Each company has a responsibility to proactively protect their employees from hazards encountered in the workplace. Accidents or injuries can bring production to a halt, reduce the workforce while the employee is recovering and lead to costly worker compensation claims. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can help your company improve the Occupational Health present at your facility.
The Risk from Asbestos
Asbestos poses a major health risk in many office buildings and homes due to the wide adoption and usage of asbestos as an insulator in the construction process. Asbestos can be found in the glue beneath vinyl flooring or in material applied to concrete to regulate the temperature between floors in an office building. These buildings and homes are being remodeled and modernized as an update to the space, but the demolition process can be hazardous if asbestos is present. Test for asbestos prior to starting your next remodeling project to ensure workers are safe.
Communicating the Dangers with HazCom
Hazard Communication focuses on explaining the dangers present at the workplace. The employees have a right to understand the hazards present and how to remain safe on the jobsite. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can work with your company to fulfill the HazCom requirement set forth by OSHA.
