Project Overview
Removal of friable asbestos pipe and soil from Rio Tinto expansion site in Cape Lambert, Western Australia.
McMahon Services was contracted by Abigroup to remove buried asbestos pipe from the Rio Tinto expansion site at Cape Lambert in Western Australia.
The site is part of Rio Tinto’s 333 Mtpa (million tonnes per annum) expansion project, aimed at doubling their iron ore output from the Pilbara region.
Abigroup secured the delivery of various railway earthworks packages as part of the expansion and identified the asbestos pipe during early works. McMahon Services played a critical role, with the quick mobilisation to site and efficient delivery resulting in minimal project delays.
The removal of the friable asbestos pipe was completed over a five day period, with approximately 100 tonnes of soil containing friable asbestos debris excavated and loaded into lined bins for disposal.
The project team was faced with the challenge of the buried asbestos pipe being in a friable state. As pioneers in asbestos removal, McMahon Services mobilised a custom designed and built portable Haz Mat unit from the Karratha office. This self-contained wet decontamination unit was critical in the management of the air-borne asbestos and provided a safe and streamlined method of decontamination for personnel and equipment.
McMahon Services completed the project in full compliance with the strict procedures outlined by the client and with no safety incidents reported.
