Case Study: Comprehensive Asbestos Decontamination in Heavy Industry

Project Overview

A major heavy industry client engaged Bardon Environmental to conduct full asbestos removal and decontamination in a large boiler house. Recent asbestos surveys revealed asbestos residues on pipework, plant components, walls, and flooring, necessitating comprehensive remediation.

Scope of Work

The project aimed to decontaminate the boiler house thoroughly, preparing it for future use. The work involved grit-blasting wall surfaces, removing redundant asbestos-containing pipework, and cleaning machinery surfaces and structural elements. The task was approached with full controlled conditions to ensure safety for operatives and compliance with regulations.

Key project components included:

• Grit Blasting: Approximately 750 square meters of wall and supporting steelwork surfaces were grit blasted to remove asbestos residues.
• Pipework and Insulation Removal: All MMMF insulation on pipework, excluding specific client-designated areas, was removed. Redundant asbestos-contaminated pipework and electrical components were also carefully dismantled.
• Structural Decontamination: Timber staircases and mezzanine structures were removed to eliminate any residual asbestos contamination.

Safety and Compliance Measures

Given the high-risk environment, our team utilised advanced respiratory protection, including full-faced positive pressure respirators and airline-fed respirators for grit blasting. A licensed scaffolding contractor installed an independent scaffold structure with a full perimeter dance floor to provide safe access to the upper levels of the boiler house.

Additional Safety Protocols:

• Negative Pressure Units (NPUs): To manage airflow effectively, we deployed 10,000 CMH and 5,000 CMH NPUs, ensuring stable negative pressure throughout the enclosure.
• Air Quality Monitoring: A third-party asbestos consultancy performed continuous air monitoring, leak detection, and personal exposure assessments, followed by a rigorous 4-stage clearance upon completion.

Project Outcomes

The decontamination was completed on schedule within 16 weeks, meeting all regulatory and client-specific requirements. The project ensured the boiler house was safe for continued operation, supporting the client’s commitment to workplace health and safety.

Bardon Environmental’s experience and stringent safety protocols enabled the successful execution of this large-scale project in a demanding environment, demonstrating our capacity to manage complex asbestos abatement tasks within the heavy industry sector.

For more information on Bardon Environmental’s services for heavy industry, contact us at [email protected]