Asbestos and Due Diligence- Everything You Should Know

If you are planning to amass a business that operated from older premises, or you run a business already, asbestos due diligence is one primary issue that safeguards the employees’ health and can save you a lot of time and money in the end.  If asbestos is discovered in an assessment, its location and condition need recording in an asbestos register to protect the staff or anyone doing some future renovations and alterations.
But what is the big commotion behind asbestos? We bring you a detailed article to explain everything about the due diligence of asbestos.  
Duties of Employer and Workers
Getting guidance or assistance from an authorized asbestos consultant is the initial step in the due diligence procedure. Asbestos consultants conduct a survey and inventory that complies with regulatory conditions, and they can further recommend you various competent and qualified contractors or asbestos removal.
Legislative Responsibility
Canadian legislation gives employers and worksite proprietors duties and obligations for their hired workers, and for any contractors they would hire in the future. While different provinces do this in different ways, some jurisdictions explicitly define the word employer as the person employing workers or anyone contracting the services of some workers for supplying services.
Regulators set a distinct duty on employers to do ensure “due diligence” regarding risk administration at their facilities or work sites. Otherwise, they will all have probable accountability exposure to the asbestos dangers and negligent reaction to dealing with the asbestos situation.
For example, in 2016 in British Columbia, one asbestos abatement contractor was cited for numerous blatant breaches of the Workers Act and laws for incorrect treatment of asbestos. This resulted in over five hundred thousand dollars in penalties, and he was permanently banned from working. The contractor in this example, even with his history as a serious violator, still kept getting work, which shows that property managers, contractors, homeowners, and business owners were oblivious to his misconducts and did not do their homework in checking his credentials. Therefore, lack of such vital information rendered them unaware that they were giving work to someone so incompetent and ineligible.  This led to making unsafe and hasty decisions in picking him for work.
 A quick search on different regulatory sites and search engines can disclose numerous recent asbestos removal contractors that had multiple violations and penalties. When you are facing asbestos and need to employ a dangerous materials extraction contractor, it is crucial to assure you are choosing the right professionals to help you, otherwise what can be a regular problem with a standardized response can turn into a bigger matter.

The asbestos subtraction industry is much governed. Inspectors or contractors inspecting and removing asbestos from facilities need to be qualified to execute the task. Many very significant steps affect the expense of hazardous materials removal.
Professionalism and Experience Matter
Among the initial promising signs of high quality, asbestos removal company or specialist is one who has been in this business for a while. You must ensure that the company you are choosing shows proven, appropriately performed removal procedures. The company must be able to inform you regarding their safety and health standards and the methods they select to utilize to ensure all these standards are adhered to and safe.  You must be mindful of all these small details and check everything about the company very thoroughly. Asbestos removal is a serious issue and you must only go with the best.
Factors for Choosing an Abatement Company
We understand it can be difficult to deduce what aspects to look for while choosing a company. Therefore, we have made things easier for you and compiled six crucial things for consideration while hiring an asbestos removal company:
1. Asbestos Inventory and Survey
Is the company encouraging you to hire any third-party examining firm to finish an asbestos survey of your place as compelled by regulators? If a facility renovation or demolishment is scheduled, the asbestos specialist will have to conduct a destructive survey and ensure any asbestos is suppressed under flooring or concealed behind ceiling and walls.  While this will be difficult, the asbestos specialist's experience can assist considerably in retaining a job on track and contributing to the victorious conclusion of a process.
A skilled third-party consultation company must always finalize surveys for inventories. There can be some conflict of interest if the asbestos abatement service tests their work or conducts their survey. You need a third party to give you actual results without holding any important info back.
2. Assessment of Risk and Control Plans for Exposure
Regulators compel a comprehensive risk assessment and vulnerability control plan, and they need removal contractors to finalize it. This task's safety inspection and plan will clarify all the risk aspects and the magnitude of the methods for asbestos expulsion. A qualified person is someone who retains knowledge of the administration and control of asbestos dangers through education and training and is well versed in the control of asbestos risks.
3. Preparations for the Site
The asbestos abatement site will have to be readied for removal, and this procedure depends on several factors comprising of if people occupy the building or will there be any vulnerable workers in the close vicinity. Moreover, some engineering prerequisites require consideration, many of which are commonly observed in the risk-assessment/exposure control plans produced for the removal project. These strategies need to be site-specific and thorough.

The risk-assessment report also establishes the work region as a reasonable risk process or a high-risk one. Everything we stated above, qualified personnel has to finalize it.  
4. Removing any Dangerous Material
Subtraction of asbestos needs to conduction by (frequently cross-trained) laborers experienced in asbestos abatement who wear safety like HEPA respirators with hazmat gear. Worker access or egresses are strictly controlled, and counting on the magnitude of risk often compels multi-staged movable decontamination units.
5. Conclusive Cleanup and Testing Air
All surfaces and grounds in the contaminated area should be completely tidied and decontaminated. This can pertain to cleaning with a HEPA vacuum constructed for this process and often numerous wiping of complete surface areas. Once the site administrator is satisfied that the task has been conducted sufficiently, they will call a third-party consultation to execute an air-test for guaranteeing safety and clean air for vulnerable workers. Followed by a competent and accredited individual who issues the cleanliness certificate after the inspection—thereby declaring the space clear of all health hazards.
6. Disposing Waste
Asbestos waste is packed in labeled containers, and transferred to a dumpsite approved for accepting such waste. Disposed asbestos needs to be embodied to assure delivery at the rightful landfill and not tossed out on some roadside or valley, which is something unscrupulous contractors often do.
Enviro-Vac is among the oldest private environmental contractors that Canada has to offer. They propose an entire suite of services in dangerous materials removal and decontamination. They are ready to work on projects, no matter how big or small all across Canada.
Conclusion
As we arm you with all the crucial information surrounding the topic of due diligence with asbestos, we hope you can now have a better insight into this issue. It is highly critical to understand why being mindful of asbestos and taking the right steps in choosing the right and competent people for doing this job is so significant for not only your health but your workers' health too.


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What Should You Do If You Suspect Asbestos When Doing a Renovation?
Introduction
Good indoor air quality is vital, and for a good reason. Most people spend at least one-third of their time at home. If the air that you breathe contains toxic material, then you could easily get sick. There are no proper standards for many common indoor air toxins, so it is not easy to gauge them accurately. One such toxin that comes up a lot in this discussion is asbestos. Homeowners that are thinking about renovation, especially those of old homes, might worry about asbestos.
Here’s what we know about asbestos.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined from the earth. It is inexpensive and has amazing heat protection abilities. It is also resistant to water and corrosion. That is why it was used a lot in building products. Asbestos use had peaked in the 1940s to the '80s. It has two forms: non-friable and friable. Non-friable asbestos is prone to becoming powder. Friable asbestos is mostly safe as it is sealed in the product by cement, resin, or similar material. The latter form of asbestos is safer than the former. Common building material that contains asbestos the following:
• Floor and ceiling tiles
• Vermiculite insulation
• White tape around heating ducts
• Old cement siding
• Popcorn ceiling texture
• Window panels
• Adhesives used under floors and much more
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos, if cut, drilled, or damaged, may produce airborne particles. Asbestos has small microscopic fibers that, if inhaled, get lodged in the lungs. They can cause scarring, inflammation, and other damages to the lungs. It can also cause various kinds of cancer. Homes constructed or remodeled before 1990 most likely have asbestos-containing products.
How Can You Check If Your Home Has Asbestos?
If the home you have been living in is old and you plan to renovate, but you are worried that there might be asbestos, then you should get it checked. It would be very wise of you if you do that. The outside of your home may have asbestos sheets. You may also find asbestos in the switchboards, cabinet, sewage pipes, gutters, roofing, chimney flues, down water and stormwater pipes, etc.
You may also find it in the bathroom, shower area, kitchen and basements. The list goes on, but you can't just tell by looking at the products. You may have to contact a licensed company. They’ll come and inspect where you suspect asbestos to be. They’ll take samples and test them following scientifically approved protocols and tell you about the presence or absence of asbestos. If your home was built before 1990, we suggest to be very careful and not under any circumstances embark on DIY renovation of your home. Have your whole property inspected by licensed asbestos professionals first. The results will tell you what materials have asbestos. They will most likely also tell you how to remove it safely.
Is it Necessary to Check for Asbestos?
If you are renovating or buying a house built before the 1990s, then you can assume that there is at least some asbestos. You should put aside some money for asbestos and lead identification and remediation. If your old house is in good condition and you are not planning on renovating it, then you probably do not need to worry. In the case of remodeling, your chances of exposure would be very high. That is why you should have it properly evaluated by an environmental lab or industrial hygienist.
What Do I Do if There is Asbestos?
As we said earlier, there is friable and non-friable asbestos. So, if your asbestos-containing building material is not damaged or is friable, then it will not become airborne. Friable asbestos will be trapped and will not pose any health risk. That is why old houses with friable asbestos are safe to live in and have not been demolished.
They pose a greater risk if they are demolished or renovated. This is when they are released out in the open and have a chance to become airborne. People who live in there, work there or even pass by there regularly will be at risk. Laws regarding asbestos say the following in different states:
• Homeowners must test for asbestos before construction or renovation.
• Contractors must obtain a written asbestos report from the homeowner before starting construction.
• The homeowner must do proper asbestos remediation by an abatement company that is licensed before starting demolition.
You should find out what the state that you are living in says about renovation or remodeling of buildings with asbestos.
Manual disposal of small amounts of asbestos?
Don’t try to dispose of asbestos yourself manually. In fact, in some states, the removal of asbestos manually is illegal. Professionals must do this job. However, in some states, a non-licensed person can handle non-friable asbestos if the area that it’s being handled is not bigger than 10 feet square. If your property has asbestos, anyone handling it must make sure that they are insured.
If you are not insured, and something that you do causes asbestos contamination, you may end up paying hundreds and thousands of cleaning costs.
Some Asbestos are More Hazardous than Others?
Yes, some types of asbestos are more dangerous than others. One such type is vermiculite insulation. This material is used in loose form for insulation. It may be present in your attic. It looks like small bits of rocks. This material can quickly become airborne if disturbed. You, your family members, and workers could get exposed to it. It is always best to assume that there is asbestos in this insulation. So, seek remediation from professionals.
Conclusion
Asbestos, although useful but has properties that make it very toxic to humans and animals. If you are planning on renovating an old house or buying and remodeling an old house, then you must keep in mind that it could be contaminated with asbestos. The best thing that you could do is keep aside some money for inspection and remediation of your property. It is always good to be safe rather than sorry.