No matter whether you are a property developer or a homeowner, knowing about the removal of polluted sites is essential. Undoubtedly, the soil of your land may include a lot of deadly elements, such as asbestos. It is important to remove such hazardous materials on time so that the site can be ready to achieve construction. This way, you are able to come down on the catastrophic effects on both human health and biodiversity. At Asbestos Victoria, we are site remediation specialists who use advanced techniques to eliminate the risk of asbestos and other foreign articles from the land or water supplies. Read the following article to learn when to hire an asbestos remediation expert in a simplified manner.
What Is Site Remediation and Why Should You Schedule It?
Site remediation is a critical step that is followed after the demolition work. It ensures the removal of the polluted surface to keep the land and water safe and clean. It is the process of freeing the land, surface water, or groundwater from contaminated particles, including asbestos and more. Otherwise, polluted sites can cause serious repercussions on the following things:
- Human health
- Eco-systems
- Water supplies
- Building structures
Besides this, they can lead to unexpected delays and increased costs in the construction work.
So, hire an asbestos remediation expert. You should schedule their appointment for the following reasons:
- Eliminate the hazardous exposure to workers and occupants
- Site preparation for the construction or renovation project
- Prevents soil erosion or other serious impacts on account of foreign particles
- Adheres to legal regulations to avoid legal hiccups.
When Is Site Remediation Legally Required in Victoria?
Under the Victorian law, it is mentioned that the personal who owns or occupies the land is the real polluter of the contaminated site. Consequently, the polluter must pay for abatement costs under the Environmental Protection Act, 2027. EPA considers the avoidance of the polluted site a serious offence. Hence, it is necessary to schedule the site remediation when:
- You find the site is contaminated during property construction or renovation.
- Site test reports show the presence of asbestos, lead, etc., on your site
- Your contaminated site can put your neighbours’ lives or private/public property at risk.
Failing or delaying scheduling the visit of a site remediation specialist can lead to penalties.
Common Signs You May Need a Site Remediation Specialist
Are you looking for the common telltale signs that can indicate you need a site remediation specialist? Take a look at the following pointers and know when you need one
- Unexplained patches of dead grass
- Discoloured soil that does not match the rest of the property
- Smell of gasoline, rotten eggs, chemicals, in the soil or water supplies
- Property testing that shows an elevated level of hazardous materials
- Your building previously housed petroleum products
- You have received a legal notice from the government under the EPA Act.
Knowing the right professional site remediation timing can prevent risks from escalating and ensure your property remains safe and compliant.
Know Your Responsibilities as a Property Owner or Developer
Being a property owner or develop, you should keep your site free from hazardous materials risk. This means you should
- Conduct a contamination test to ensure the site is safe
- Prevent asbestos materials from spreading to adjacent properties
- Call a site remediation immediately if contamination is suspected.
When in doubt, always seek asbestos consultant advice to manage risks correctly and stay compliant.
What Information Should You Have Before Calling a Specialist?
Are you thinking of contacting a site remediation expert? Make sure you have the following key information:
- The site’s construction history
- Previous contamination testing reports
- Photographs of contaminated areas
- Details of your project or property use
Based on this information, the specialist can easily assess the site condition and recommend the best solution.
What Site Remediation Specialists Do?
Let’s discover how a certified site remediation specialist can help you through the following pointers:
- Conduct a thorough site inspection
- Gather samples from the contaminated areas
- Identify accurate places where hazardous materials are present
- Develop a detailed remediation plan, adhering to legal regulations
- Safely removing polluted zones with specialist asbestos removal services
- Provide a clearance report and certificates for legal compliance
Can You Do Remediation Yourself?
Do you want to know whether or not you can do the site remediation yourself? It largely depends on how much the land is contaminated. Hence, you should conduct a contamination test. It will cost you around $20 for five samples. Typically, minor clean-ups can be handles by you. However, you should follow safety protocols throughout the job. Make sure your DIY attempts do not spread foreign particles in the surrounding area. Otherwise, your negligence will be considered a breach of environmental laws that will lead to fines or legal complications.
End Note
Remember, well-maintained site management determines your property’s as well as the occupants’ health. At Asbestos Victoria, we help people identify potential risks of hazardous materials so that they can adhere to legal requirements and avoid unnecessary penalties. If you’re unsure whether or not your site needs the assistance of a remediation, it is better to consult our qualified and experienced environmental consultants. Your on-time intervention will protect your property, health, and the environment.