Prittlebrook Industrial Estate

About the Project:

From an initial enquiry to remove a small amount of floor tiles left behind from a down to slab demolition job, an additional survey discovered loose AIB panels in underground basements which we notified and removed.

During the slab breakout asbestos lagged pipes were uncovered, EAS were called in to assess the situation and make safe the disturbed areas.

After consultation with the main client and the soil remediation contractor we prepared a robust removal method and risk assessment and notified the works.

As further slabs were broken out it became evident that the pipework traversed the site leading back to the original boiler house, that we identified as being situated in the middle of the site from old aerial photographs.

At this point it was decided to suspend works until we could prepare a method and programme in conjunction with the soil remediation contractor that would enable both parties to proceed with the excavation of the whole site under controlled conditions in which we termed a ‘virtual enclosure’.

Obviously being unable to carry out the works under negative pressure we devised a method for what was an unique situation.
All excavator and dumper truck drivers received a medical examination, were face fitted for ori nasal half mask respirators and were trained in asbestos decontamination procedures.

A picking station was set up and 13,000m3 of soil was processed and decontaminated, once the soil was validated it was then re-used on site.

Small hotspots deemed too heavily contaminated with ACMs were mucked away in sealed vehicles.

A strict air monitoring regime was carried out during the operations which included background and personal monitoring to ensure there was no fibre release and therefore no possibility of contamination of staff and the public.

The site was visited by an HSE Inspector, who recommended that we place CCTV systems within the picking station which we did and considering the complexity of the job we were pleased that this was the only action that they considered necessary.