McMahon Services tackles an emergency response clean-up at the Mulhern Waste Depot after a blazing inferno
After a blazing inferno gripped the Mulhern Waste Depot in Wingfield, an emergency response team from McMahon Services was called in to commence the mammoth clean-up.
As thick black smoke started to blanket the city and explosions ringing out, the disaster quickly gained the attention of the public and media.
McMahon Services was contracted by Complete Building Services to contain the site. After receiving the initial phone call, McMahon Services arrived on site the same day to assess the damage, develop an action plan and commence work.
The first step was to contain the oil that had begun to leach off-site into the road gutters, causing serious environmental concerns. The project team created mounds of PM71 containing soil, gravel and other materials, around the front perimeter and along one side of the two acre property.
Once the oil measuring approximately 50 centimetres deep was contained on site, the team was responsible for removing asbestos from burnt out temporary site huts that had served as office blocks. Approximately 250 square metres of bonded asbestos was removed and disposed of over a two day period. New site huts were then established so the site could remain operational, along with the isolation and reconnection of services.
In order for trucks to enter and exit the site, all concrete had to undergo industrial cleaning to ensure no oil was transported off site.
Sludge testing was also critical to determine the contaminant levels of the oil before the waste was separated and transported off-site for disposal.
The team worked under constant assessment from SafeWorkSA, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Port Adelaide Enfield Council, along with the watchful eye of the local media.
