Mould and asbestos are natural things. But both these substances are irritants when they are present in the atmosphere beyond certain levels. They get into the human body through the respiratory system and then into the bloodstream. It’s crucial to carry out regular mould assessments and have an asbestos management plan in place to create a safe working environment.
The presence of moulds and ACMs create significant health risks if not checked in time. It can trigger –
- allergic reactions,
- respiratory issues, and
- other health problems
Asbestos exposure is linked to serious lung diseases like mesothelioma. A robust asbestos testing and removal plan is necessary to bring down the risks and create a healthy work environment.
Here we’ll explain how mould assessments and an asbestos management plan works for businesses. It’ll guide you on your quest to keep your work premises safe and ensure your compliance to all the regulations in place.
Mould Assessment: Unveiling Hidden Threats
Moulds are fungal growth that occur inside the buildings and grow because of high indoor moisture. They can form in the walls, in the ceilings, and the HVAC systems. They damage both the material and the aesthetics of the indoor space. Therefore, you should always be aware of mould formation in your buildings and call in the professionals immediately.
A professional mould removal service will carry out thorough mould assessments first. The latter begins with a visual inspection. The focus is on areas prone to moisture accumulation – ceilings, bathrooms, basements, and HVAC rooms, etc. Visible signs of moulds, water stains, and the odour is checked to look for clear as well as hidden problems.
Sampling becomes necessary when the moulds are not visible or it’s difficult to know the extent of contamination. Here are the three main sampling techniques:
- Air sampling: Airborne spores are collected to check the indoor air quality
- Surface sampling: Swabs and tape lifts are used to collect surface samples – from floors, walls, and ceilings.
- Bulk sampling: Pieces of potentially contaminated materials are collected in this method.
These samples are then sent to a lab for analysis. The experts then identify the types of mould present and their concentration. This helps in developing an effective remediation plan.
A tailored remediation plan is made based on the assessment results. It addresses the issue of mould removal from the source to prevent future mould growth.
Now, let’s talk about the asbestos hazard and how to tackle it with an effective asbestos management plan.
Asbestos Management Plan: Controlling a Silent Hazard
An asbestos management plan begins with identifying ACMs in your building. These are the places where the ACM inspection is carried out first –
- Insulation chamber
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Pipe coverings
The asbestos handling professionals take samples from these locations and carry out tests. This is because asbestos can’t always be identified by sight alone.
After ACM identification comes risk assessment. Friable asbestos poses a much higher risk than non-friable asbestos. A speedy removal plan is chalked our if friable asbestos are found in the premises.
Step-by-step method of removing asbestos
Here are the common ways to remove asbestos from buildings and legacy sites:
- Turn off HVAC units: This is the first step of the asbestos-removal process after the asbestos consultant carries out the visual inspection. Shutting the HVAC units will stop circulating the asbestos dust around.
- Plastic sheet cover: After preventing dust circulation, the site should be covered with a plastic sheet. Sealing off the site with plastic sheeting limits the asbestos within the site.
- HEPA vacuum: Using HEPA vacuum filters and wet cleaning tools, the site is cleansed of asbestos dust and the mineral fibres collected through the filter.
- Pack in containers: Once the asbestos fibres are collected, they are to be packed in leakage-free containers and disposed of accordingly. Stringent precautionary norms have to be followed in this step.
Integrating Mold and Asbestos Management
Mould assessment and asbestos management are two distinct processes. Yet they are crucial in providing a safe living and working environment. Both are governed on the same principle of constant vigilance and have a similar area of concern – residential and commercial buildings.
This presents a scope for a coordinated approach. It means both the mould assessment and the asbestos management plan could be implemented simultaneously. For example, asbestos consultants can also look for signs of mould growth when they come for an asbestos inspection. This will speed up the remediation efforts.
Key Takeaway
Safeguarding your office building through regular mould assessments and asbestos inspections is a crucial responsibility. These processes are the precursors to an effective mould removal and an asbestos management plan. They not only protect the health of your employees and visitors but also preserve the integrity and value of your property.
This commitment to building health will ultimately lead to –
- improved employee wellbeing,
- increased productivity, and
- long-term cost savings
by preventing extensive damage and potential legal issues.
Invest in your building’s health today and get a safe workplace for years to come.
