If you are planning a demolition or renovation project then you should be prepared to do asbestos testing in Los Angeles (LA) and protect your employees from potential hazards. You will also protect yourself from potential liability. A lot of property owners assume that if a building is new, they do not need to worry about testing for hazards such as asbestos. Unfortunately, this ends badly. You should therefore reduce your risk and make sure you meet the standard guidelines on when to test for asbestos.
Test for asbestos before a renovation project
A lot of managers and property owners think that if their building is less than 5 years old or built after the EPA started regulating asbestos, they are free and clear to ignore testing for asbestos. In the real sense, new building materials may contain asbestos. It can exist in a lot of forms even in recent buildings. For this reason, it is important to test for asbestos.
Test for asbestos before any demolition project
There is no exception to the rule that testing for asbestos must be done in advance, regardless of the condition, age, or other factors involved in the building being demolished. The only exception to this is if the building is structurally unsound and it will be hazardous for asbestos inspectors to enter the building. In such cases, a special exemption should be obtained from the local or state enforcement agency.
Construction materials used to build any structure of any age may need asbestos testing because these materials may contain asbestos that may be harmless but hazardous when disturbed. During a demolition project, previously contained asbestos fibers can enter the air as small dust particles and lead to hazardous conditions for the employees and anyone in the area at the time of demolition. Asbestos may also affect anyone else who encounters the dust thereafter.
Do a periodical testing of friable asbestos in old buildings
Demolition and renovation aren’t the only times when asbestos can be dangerous to the workers and building occupants. A lot of older asbestos-based building materials such as fireproofing and insulation can become friable with time. Routine repairs and maintenance can disturb friable materials and free harmful asbestos fibers that can enter the air and become hazardous.
It is, therefore, important to inspect older buildings periodically for asbestos and determine whether materials that contain asbestos have become potentially hazardous. It is recommended to test for asbestos before buying an older facility.
Test when there are complaints from occupants
Occupants and workers in your building have the right to be in a safe environment. Any time an employee, tenant or any other occupant complains about asbestos, it is important to test for asbestos immediately.
Sometimes, employees and occupants may see materials that remind them of asbestos and raise an alarm. With time, they may start experiencing respiratory problems. It is important to do asbestos testing LA right away to avoid future problems. Take complaints from tenants and employees seriously and respond to them sensibly, whether you suspect asbestos could be present or not.
