Asbestos Inspections; quality through Clarinspect
We have learned a lot about asbestos surveying using mobile devices over the last year - and we'll share as much as we can in a coffee-break sized write-up.
The first-swig summary of what we'll talk about:
How quality is linked to efficiency
The two main risk rating systems in use, and why
The dangers of asbestos
Chrysotile under an SEM
Chrysotile fibres under Scanning Electron Microscope.
Photo credit: Publicdomainfiles.com
We have seen a surge of asbestos assessors, inspectors and removalists in our clientele of late, as they learn that using the Clarinspect system supports their current way of working, and promotes consistency.
Consistency and continuity in a standard process form part of delivering a quality outcome: mandatory in the assessment of asbestos.
Our clients have chosen Clarinspect as they can use their own report templates (often crafted with years of experience) so there is no learning a document format. The downstream processes remain the same, and branding-wise their reports do not look the same as practitioners who use legacy off-the-shelf-systems.
Using the Clarinspect asbestos inspection service is a massive time saver. It reduces time spent on the reports: formatting photos and typing up written notes. This allows more time to do what you are an expert at. You can then choose how to use that time:
An increased number of higher quality reports.
Less time spent after-hours or in the evenings finishing off reports.
More time available onsite for gathering samples, or improving site coverage.
Any of these time savings benefit your business and your staff, and add to the quality of your deliverable.
Sampling vinyl floor-tiles
Photo credit: Direct Hazmat
As our team have implemented various asbestos inspections and created reports, our curiosity about the industry has increased.
We wondered; what is the difference between the NZ Health and Safety at Work Act and the British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that many clients like to utilize? Does all asbestos come with the same associated risks?
In a nutshell, we learnt that some do believe that Chrysotile is less harmful, and Crocidolite the most dangerous, but once the research has been assessed all asbestos is associated with premature mortality risks. Therefore, the New Zealand standards do not assign different ratings to asbestos types in their algorithm. It is a strong risk-based view, but New Zealand loses about 170 lives per year from asbestos related illness and WorkSafe is aiming to halve that by 2040.
To learn more about the different risks for the different asbestos types, it is best to listen to an expert in the field - Luke Austin of Ladra. He has written an interesting blog post on the topic and it is definitely worth a read.
There are other resources online such as those from asbestos.com or mesothelioma.net, which are US advocacy centres for those suffering from Mesothelioma. They also have a guide for selecting an abatement company (removalist & consultancy here in NZ).
Clarinspect is able to assist with the full spectrum of inspections and surveys in all things Asbestos.
At present we assist our clients with:
Asbestos management surveys,
Soil sampling surveys (with geo-tagged samples),
Pre-demolition surveys,
Clearance inspections,
Air monitoring inspections,
Decontamination inspections
Asbestos site audits.
Actually, any kind of inspection where you have a checklist, or log of readings and create a report - we can support you!
Header photo credit: FAC by Builder Bill