Check out what demolition contractors need to know by WorkSafeBC.

Pre-Demolition surveys are more destructive than a typical HazMat survey allowing for a more comprehensive report of all hazardous materials for any given structure and site.

What is commonly found when a demolition occurs?

Each demolition project comes inherent with its own risks and challenges. A large factor when determining how to demolish or deconstruct a building is obviously how many hazardous materials are identified in the Hazardous Building Material Assessment)HazMat) Survey.

Given all the testing that can be done during the HazMat Survey, almost always the hazardous material demolition crew find other building materials buried or covered over by countless renovations.

WorkSafeBC requires that we immediately stop work in this area and test any new building material that is suspect to contain hazardous materials. If this new material is proven positive as a hazardous material this may present a unique challenge as the work procedures required by the regulations and methods of abatement may change, and the plan of attack by us changes dramatically.

How can HazForce assist in a demolition?

HazForce will help any property owner, contractor or developer understand the entire process of demolishing a building in BC. We can take care of everything from the initial Hazardous Material Survey report, acquiring a demolition permit, BC Hydro disconnect, hazardous material abatement, hazardous waste transport & disposal, demolition of the structure, filing of all paperwork with WorkSafeBC, Regional Landfills and with the Ministry of Environment.

Where does hazardous materials from a demolition go?

Depending on the type of hazardous material, waste is transported by a Ministry of Transportation licensed hauler to an approved landfill for disposal. The disposal facility may be at one of Vancouver Islands many regional landfills or shipped & disposed of as far as Alberta.

What can the risks be during a demolition?

Risks for demolition can be established on many factors:

• The complexity of the structure itself and type of building materials and methods in its construction.
• If the structure has been fire-damaged or in such dis-repair as to be un-safe for occupants or workers to enter this may add to the complications of both abatement and demolition.
• Vermiculite contained within cinder block walls that comprise the structural integrity of the building need to be abated without compromising the structure’s safety.

How to minimize risk during a demolition?

Good planning and better execution! As with all best-laid plans.