Asbestos Contaminated Land Remediation

The Problem

Current planning legislation within the United Kingdom is stringent. This has led to a growing trend of redevelopment of brownfield sites to accommodate new construction and infrastructure projects. Until the middle of the 1980s asbestos was used as a common building material in many industrial buildings and other such structures. Current legislation helps to ensure that asbestos is removed from buildings and structures safely and is disposed of in the correct manner. Unfortunately, in previous decades, many industrial and manufacturing buildings were demolished in-situ and/or demolition materials arising from others sites were disposed of in what are now classed as brownfield locations. This means that such sites often contain asbestos containing materials and free fibres as contaminants within the soil structure.

Experience and knowledge gleaned from previous groundworks and redevelopment projects has determined that many brownfield sites contain asbestos at a level above the Hazardous Waste Threshold and this can lead to subsequent inadvertent exposure of site personnel and substantial delays to construction projects through unplanned and unforeseen remediation works. Since the 1990s quantitative methods – using polarised light microscopy – have been developed to measure the asbestos fibre content within a soil sample. Currently, this process is undertaken to determine the land’s classification as Hazardous or Non-Hazardous in order to form a basis of planning and future use.

It is essential that you have a thorough Ground Investigation Report compiled prior to planning any form of redevelopment of brownfield sites.

What you will get from us?

OHS can help you determine the presence of asbestos contamination and then assess the extent and scale of any such contamination through site investigations, air monitoring, and quantitative asbestos soil analysis – through UKAS accredited laboratories. This will give you a clear assessment of risk. Our consultancy driven approach will ensure that we are proactive in supporting you with the development of project specific remediation strategies and site management procedures to help deal with any asbestos contamination risks identified. We will also support you with the verification and validation of remedial works and ensure regulatory compliance through the planning, implementation and ongoing management of remediation projects.

Site Remediation options include the use of capping layers, mechanical screening, soil washing, and excavation of soil. There are many options available and we are able to assist in the production of safe working procedures for excavations and piling activities.

Services

Site and Ground Investigations
Qualitative and Quantitative Soil Analysis
Assessment of Risk
Remediation Strategies
Site Management Protocols
Air Monitoring
Verification and Validation of Remediation Works
Consultancy and Advice