Asbestos remediation requires a careful approach

In the past, asbestos-containing materials were regularly used for building and construction in the Netherlands. Not surprisingly, because this material is strong, wear-resistant, insulating, fire-resistant and cheap. However, we now know that asbestos fibers can also be very dangerous to our health. That is why the material is usually removed in renovation projects. Specialist knowledge and skills are required in this case, which Asbest-Assist BV has in abundance. The Woerden-based remediator proves this for example in the Muziekbuurt in Rijswijk.

Commissioned by Willems Vastgoedonderhoud, Asbest-Assist BV is remediating approximately 10,000 m2 of facade cladding, 600 m¹ water layers and 2,000 m¹ water barriers of the balconies of all ten residential blocks of the Mandoline. On the inside of the blocks, kitchen floors are being remediated in approximately 50 homes. In addition, the asbestos-containing sewers in all storerooms will be removed. “Based on the asbestos inventory report, we made a work survey and work plan,” says Vincent Oosterwijk, director of Asbest-Assist BV. “The exterior walls will be remediated per residential building. Because the entire outer shell consists of asbestos-containing sheets, working from scaffolding is not possible at first. After all, the scaffolding cannot be anchored to the facades. Therefore, partial remediation will first be performed, from an aerial platform, for one week and at the locations specified by the scaffolder. Only when these locations are released by a laboratory does the scaffolder build his scaffolding. We then spend another three weeks per block remediating the remaining facade materials. In the homes, we work in containments per kitchen and/or per three storerooms.”