Choosing an asbestos consultant for your renovation or demolition project, or to respond to potential asbestos contamination, could be as simple as a quick Google search. But we don’t recommend it.
There are risks associated with hiring an asbestos consultant, and it’s important to do a little due diligence before making the decision.
What is Asbestos and Why Should I Care?
Asbestos is a fibrous ingredient in many common building materials and components. Contrary to a popular misconception, its use is not outlawed in the US, and even newly constructed buildings can contain asbestos-containing building materials.
While asbestos can be perfectly safe as a building component in its intact condition, it becomes dangerous when the fibers enter the air. They may lodge themselves in the lungs of building occupants and cause deadly diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
For this reason, it’s critical to conduct an asbestos inspection prior to any renovations or demolition, as well as any time the presence of asbestos dust is suspected (such as when aging insulation materials begin to deteriorate).
What Can My Asbestos Consultant Do?
A trained, certified, and experienced asbestos consultant can provide several key services to help ensure your buildings are safe from asbestos contamination, including:
- Asbestos surveying, to determine the presence or absence of asbestos in a building
- Asbestos testing and laboratory analysis
- Asbestos abatement planning
- Asbestos abatement project drawings and specifications
- Asbestos abatement project management
- Asbestos operations and maintenance plans
- Asbestos awareness training for employees and occupants
In many cases, a separate asbestos contractor may perform the abatement work, while your asbestos consultant helps to ensure the work is done correctly, in compliance with plans and specifications, and in compliance with OSHA and EPA standards. In this case, the asbestos consultant may draw up your specifications and aid in selecting the right contractor to do the work, and then oversee the process of abatement.
How Can I Choose the Right Asbestos Consultant?
When it comes to asbestos, the safety of your employees and workers is at stake. Choosing the right asbestos consultant is critical.
To ensure the work is done safely, completely, and correctly, look for an asbestos consultant that fits these criteria:
- Deep experience. Choose a firm with at least 20 years of experience who will appoint senior level, certified asbestos consultants to your project.
- Wide experience. Asbestos surveys, plans, and abatement can involve multiple disciplines. It’s helpful for your asbestos consultant to be able to rely on experts in construction, architecture, engineering and other environmental disciplines to address any concerns that come up during the process.
- Experience in your building type. The types of materials used vary widely based on the use of your facility, as will the approach to surveying and abatement. A warehouse is different from a hospital is different from an office building. Expect your firm to demonstrate a track record in the type of building you have.
- Experience in your sector. Asbestos abatement varies for private versus public facilities. Choose a provider with experience in your sector.
- A proven track record of satisfied customers. In addition to their capabilities, you want to know that your asbestos firm is invested in your satisfaction and success. Choose a firm that is well respected and boasts a proven track record with highly satisfied customers.
- A nationwide footprint. If you own facilities in more than one location, it can be helpful to have a single go-to source for asbestos consulting any time you need it. Choose a firm that can provide you with consistent service wherever you need it.
When you choose an asbestos consultant that meets these criteria, you can rest assured that your asbestos needs will be taken care of in a safe, timely, and compliant manner.
We would love to be your asbestos consultant. We offer a complete line of asbestos services for public and private clients, across all building types, with a proven track record spanning 30 years. Give our asbestos experts a call today to learn more.
