McMahon Services has removed asbestos from 48 homes to date as part of the Wickham public housing development
The Rio Tinto Wickham public housing development is well underway, with up to 200 homes in Wickham Western Australia earmarked for refurbishment works.
Mobilising to site over 12 months ago, a specialist team from McMahon Services has completed asbestos removal works for 48 homes, removing approximately 48 tonnes of asbestos waste.
Each morning, Rio Tinto conducted an inspection and issued a permit before work could commence.
The team removed floor tiles containing asbestos from bedrooms and living areas plus asbestos cement sheet wall and ceiling linings from wet areas. Some dwellings also had small sheds lined with asbestos sheeting and asbestos dividing fences.
To control the thick dust and combat the extreme heat and humidity, a 240 volt negative air fan was used and a three stage fibreglass wet decontamination set-up off the front door.
The project team also utilised a remote self-contained decontamination hazmat unit, which was not only used for storage, but when faced with little access to water it was mobilised from house to house via a hook bin truck for the team to hose down.
Heat stress was a major concern on the project, with temperatures reaching between 38 – 45+ Degrees Celsius and humidity reaching between 70 – 85%. The set-up allowed for some airflow and for personnel to shower, gaining partial relief.
In total, 50 – 65 square metres of sheeting and 55 – 75 square metres of floor tiles was removed and bagged per house, which was then decontaminated and carefully transported to the 7 Mile Dump for disposal.
McMahon Services exceeded expectations. “I commend your fast, efficient and switched on crew that we have in Wickham completing asbestos removal work” said Hutchinson Builders Project Manager Cy Milburn.
“Each time a safety audit is conducted by Rio Tinto, and there are many, we always receive compliments for the work that Doug Connelly (Site Supervisor) and his crew undertake” he said.
The on-going contract will see McMahon Services continue to remove asbestos from the remaining homes until the project is complete.
