The term “demolition” alone conjures up implosions, massive hydraulic cranes and wrecking balls swinging to and fro. Naturally, this rather “physical” component is not without its risks. Falling debris, general physics and the surrounding urban areas all need to be paid careful attention to. Without such insight and clarity, the public can be placed at risk and even the employees themselves can suddenly find themselves in danger. Thankfully, professional demolition companies take these and countless other factors quite seriously and will reassess the project during every single step. Alongside these obvious physical dangers exists the possibility that hazardous materials such as asbestos may be present. This is another area that needs to be taken into account and before the actual demolition in Hertfordshire begins, all such materials must be safely identified and removed. Are there any physical dangers involved with such asbestos removal?
A Precise Approach
In effect, the most profound danger is actually NOT removing all of the asbestos within a building. Anyone who has ever observed a demolition is well aware of the enormous volumes of particulate matter that are released during the job. While this can possibly be minimised, current technology precludes the ability to completely eliminate such a situation. When considering a demolition in Hertfordshire and other such urban locations, this matter is understandably concerning. If asbestos is added into the mix, there is the possibility that any airborne material can place the surrounding atmosphere (and therefore the public) in danger. So, professionals will first need to assess the amount of suspected material that is present. They may frequently also perform what is known as a refurbishment and demolition survey. This will involve gaining physical access to suspect areas and the proactive removal of any materials that are found to be present.
The Structure Itself
Once any hazardous substances such as asbestos are removed, the next step will be the careful demolition of the uppermost floors by what are known as high-reach demolition excavators. These will help to bring the building down to a manageable height and minimise the risk of falling debris injuring nearby workers or other properties. Only after the building is lowered in such a manner will it be collapsed or otherwise completely ablated. Great care must be taken in any project such as a demolition in Hertfordshire, as the risk to surrounding areas is multiplied by the very urban nature of the town.
