Hazardous Materials

SURVEYS

A Hazardous Materials Survey is a survey of buildings or other above ground structures for materials likely to be hazardous to health, either of construction workers or occupants, or to the environment. Typical materials surveyed include asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s), but may include other materials if these are likely to be an issue.

WHY DO IT?

The most common reasons are:

• Legislative
• Desire to protect workers or occupants
• Refurbishment or demolition
• Buying or selling
• General due diligence

The WorkSafe Australia "Asbestos: Code of Practice and Guidance Notes" 1988 says "Owners, or their agents, shall institute an inspection of each structure owned. A register shall be maintained…"

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that "every employer shall ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees".

Under the planned system put forward by the Lead Reference Centre (consisting of NSW EPA, WorkCover, and others) every building undergoing development will be required to have a lead survey, and if lead is present, a Lead Management Plan.

There are also civil law requirements to exercise diligence.

Where work has commenced without an asbestos survey WorkCover or the Council may place a Prohibition Notice on the site until the survey is conducted.

We have been called by WorkCover and others as an expert witness in cases of prosecution involving organisations not having the necessary approval and acting unprofessionally.

HOW IS IT DONE?

We conduct a thorough inspection, taking samples of materials for analysis where necessary. The inspection would be carried out during normal hours, however, if required the survey can be undertaken out of hours.

WHAT DOES THE REPORT CONTAIN?

The Hazardous Materials Survey Report prepared by New Environment will constitute an Asbestos Register under the WorkSafe Asbestos: Code of Practice and Guidance Notes.

A New Environment Hazardous Materials Report normally consists of a number of sections:

SECTION 1 - Executive Summary

A summary in tabular form indicating the location, type and recommended control action for any hazardous materials identified.

SECTION 2 - Scope

This defines the scope of the inspection as agreed to by the Client and the Consultant before commencing the inspection.

SECTION 3 - Inspection Details

The results of the inspection are detailed here in a logical and easy to read format. The report will contain:

The location, extent, condition and type of any hazardous materials detected.

Whether or not the material was sampled and if so, the sampling identifying number.

SECTION 4 - Analysis Results

A summary of the analysis results of samples collected in tabular form.

SECTION 5 - Conclusions and Recommendations

Recommendations in general form are given.

In cases where extensive hazardous materials have been found, it may be necessary to go on to prepare a Removal Scope of Works/Tender Document and/or a Management Plan.

WHAT TO REQUIRE OF YOUR CONSULTANT

A Hazardous Materials Survey is a risk management exercise. If a survey is undertaken by people without any accreditation, professional qualifications or experience it may not be acceptable to government authorities. Furthermore it may not stand a legal or union challenge. It is very, very easy to miss hazardous materials during a survey, so much so that two independent surveys are often recommended. You should look for:

• NATA accreditation for asbestos
• Professionally qualified and experienced field staff
• Adequate Professional Indemnity, Public Risk and Workers Compensation Insurance
• Good references and reputation with Clients
• WorkCover acceptance
• A solid history in the industry
• An organisation with whom you feel comfortable. One with adequate committed resources but not one where your concerns are not important to them.

Without the protection of a good consultant you are exposed to potentially expensive litigation/industrial relations issues or a more costly removal job.

HOW CAN NEW ENVIRONMENT HELP?

New Environment is an environmental and occupational health and safety consulting and testing organisation. We are a medium sized company owned by the Principals. We have a high commitment, it is in our interest to look after your interest. We have a wide range of sampling, monitoring, and data logging equipment for field work.

NATA registered laboratory accreditation No. 3130.

Field staff are professionally qualified.

We operate 24 hours/day and are well equipped for emergency call outs.