Project Overview
McMahon Services were engaged by George Weston Foods Limited to undertake this high risk project after successfully completing the redevelopment of the Mauri Anz facility in Port Adelaide, South Australia.
The project incorporated the asbestos remediation within the ground floor of the Flour Packaging and Distribution Building and first floor of neighbouring ancillary building located at the North Melbourne facility.
The scope of works included the following:
- Removal of asbestos ceiling from the underside of saw tooth roof trusses in the Flour Packaging and Distribution Building
- Removal of approximately 2,500m2 of asbestos roof sheeting from the Flour Packaging and Distribution Building
- Reinstatement with new custom orb zincalume roof material
- Installation of safety mesh and 50mm foil backed insulation blanket
- Removal of deteriorated south light glass and frame from saw tooth roof structure
- Installation of top-hat and polycarbonate sheeting
- Cleaning of flour from roof of neighbouring ancillary building using commercial HEPA filtered vacuums
- Application of bonding agent to stabilise asbestos roof surface that was to remain and be removed at later stage
- Installation of new aluminium walkway system with guard rails around the perimeter of the ancillary building including to allow future maintenance work.
Due to the restrictions faced with a fully operational facility, all works had to be undertaken on weekends when packaging and distribution activities were not running. A team of 10 asbestos removal technicians and roofers completed the scope of works over five weekends. Weekend works commenced on a Friday afternoon and the area had to be clean and ready for handover back to the client on Monday morning at 6am.
McMahon Services provided an innovative solution for the client to allow the asbestos works to be carried out over a staged approach and allow flour packaging and distribution operations to continue during the week. An asbestos buffer wall was constructed as part of the setup and preparation works effectively creating a seal between the asbestos work zone and the other areas of the building.
As asbestos removal works progressed, a thorough cleaning and decontamination process was undertaken including detailed vacuuming and wet wiping of all surfaces. A third-party occupational hygienist provided inspection and clearance certificates throughout the works. On the Monday morning following asbestos removal and roofing works over the weekend period, the asbestos contaminated waste would be removed and disposed of to a certified landfill.
