Top Five Things To Look For When Hiring A Hazardous Construction Materials Removal Contractor
Through the pandemic, many offices shut, and people were getting most of their work done remotely. One of the primary reasons was to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. With most people spending a significant amount of time at home, they started making changes or renovating their spaces to better fit their new needs.
As a company, we work with our clients to assist them when dealing with hazardous materials and removing them safely. Often clients can be unsure about the process and what is necessary. It is something that we feel strongly should be a priority for any contractor/owner who is undertaking a renovation where these materials could be disturbed. We have come up with a list of criteria they can work to help guide them through the process.
We want our clients to work with the best, and these are some pointers to keep in mind when planning on working with anyone who will be handling or disturbing hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead and mould.
1. Carry out surveys or tests for hazardous materials
The number one thing to ask when hiring a contractor for any construction work is whether they will complete a survey/testing for hazardous materials. There are regulatory requirements for any construction project that these materials are formally identified prior to starting any construction. Some contractors will ignore or avoid these steps. This can be for many reasons including lack of knowledge all the way to outright disregard for the hazards. This can put the safety of the workers and more importantly, the safety of the occupants at risk. The current construction regulation actually requires a formal survey of the area to be renovated before work starts if there is any potential for hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead to be present.
2. Carry pollution liability or asbestos liability insurance
Pollution liability/asbestos liability insurance is essential as things like mould and asbestos removal are NOT covered under general liability insurance coverage. Many contractors say they can “do the work”. However, if there is ever an issue on site, they will not have proper insurance coverage for their work. Look for a proper abatement company that carries asbestos liability insurance if it is solely for asbestos work, or pollution liability insurance which covers asbestos but also covers more environmental removals such as mould and lead.
3. Have licensed Type 3 workers (253W) and supervisors (253S) for Type 3 asbestos removal projects
Ensure that any asbestos contractor you hire has licensed Type 3 workers and supervisors who will be the ONLY ones carrying out the work on-site. Asbestos work in Ontario is broken down into Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 with varying requirements, which are generally dependent on the type of material being removed, the removal method and the quantity. All asbestos work requires technicians to be trained in the proper removal methods as per the current asbestos regulation.
4. Provide a written estimate or quote
Ensure your selected company provides you with a written estimate on their letterhead that explains all of the procedures along with indications that this complies with specific regulations. This will ensure that there is a clear definition of what the project entails along with pricing and terms. A quality contractor will have no issue in providing this to you.
5. Provide a certificate of completion
When the project is complete there should be documentation or a certificate provided. This is especially helpful when the work space is being turned over to a contractor to rebuild the site, or to a purchaser when selling the home. This document helps ensure that the work was completed by professionals and ensures a smooth transition after the removal of the hazardous materials.
If you are looking for assistance when it comes to asbestos abatement, mould remediation, duct cleaning, and other such services, get in touch with us at Power Environmental/Power Vac Services. We are experts in addressing airborne and potential airborne contaminants in all types of industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential facilities. We worked with various clients across the board and would like to use that information and experience to deal with complicated issues and challenges that we face on the ground. If you would like a better understanding of the services that we provide, please click here. If you want to connect with us or know that we can assist with any of your requirements, please click here.