Beware of asbestos in rubble
A specialist registered with the Department of Labour has been appointed to evaluate all structures that were damaged in the recent fires, to identify materials containing asbestos. The specialist was appointed by Eden District municipality and the cost of the assessment will be sponsored by Moore Stephens Cape Town Inc. The assessment commenced on June 22.
This will include the inspection of about 650 structures (the initial estimation was 500 structures) and the compilation of a comprehensive report to Eden DM. The identification of the specific sites and volume determination will enable the appointment of a registered and qualified service provider to collect, handle, transport and dispose of the asbestos-containing material at a licensed hazardous waste site in accordance with the Asbestos Regulations, 2011, and the Waste Management Act 59 of 2008.
All asbestos is hazardous and can potentially pose a risk to human health. To prevent any risk to human health, no asbestos-containing material should be collected, handled, transported and disposed of by any person or contractor other than a suitably qualified, authorised and approved person or organisation.
The most common asbestos-containing materials are asbestos cement products used for roofing material, ceiling and floor tiles, insulation and water pipes, tanks and gutters, for example.
WHAT TO DO
The following should be taken into consideration, should asbestos contamination be suspected:
Don’t disturb soil contaminated with asbestos.
Never create dust in an environment that is either known or may have asbestos contamination. Never grind, sand, file or smash material that may be a part of an asbestos product.
Don’t dig in potential asbestoscontaminated areas.
The surface of the contaminated area should be kept damp until the asbestoscontaining material is removed by the accredited service provider.
The appointed service provider to identify the presence of asbestoses on properties affected by the fire has since been deployed in the area to undertake the survey.
The following signage has been placed on the affected properties: “A” for the presence of asbestos. “F” means it is asbestos-free. * Report suspected asbestos-containing material or contamination to Morton Hubbe, manager: district solid waste management at morton@edendm.gov.za or Johan Gie, district waste management officer at johang@edendm.gov.za / 044-693-0006.
– Supplied