Shotley bridge Hospital, Shotley Bridge, County Durham
- The asbestos removal and demolition of Shotley bridge hospital was carefully planned from the on set. The work posed a major risk to the adjacent newly built hospital not only in terms of management of the demolition risk but the environmental consideration from hazards such as dust and noise. The dust issue was a major concern of the Hospital board due to the cancer wing which was situated adjacent the works and the potential harm aspergillus.
- After the initial pre - start meetings and the approval of the various method statement/environmental plan and risk assessments the works commenced.
- The first task involved the removal of various asbestos products such as insulation to pipework, asbestos insulating board and asbestos cement. All asbestos works were managed by our own designated supervisor who ensured all the control measures identified in the risk assessments were adhered to. This was particularity important due to the high risk work involved during the removal of asbestos lagged pipework within the 200m of floor ducts. In addition to our own supervisor a full time asbestos analyst was appointed by the Hospital to oversee asbestos the removal process to ensure it was completed in line with legislation. No issues were reported during the regular site meetings.
- Once the asbestos was removed and the four stage certificate of re occupation had been signed off by the independent analysts the soft strip commenced. All doors, skirtings, carpets, suspended ceilings etc were removed to reduce the contamination of hardcore at the end of the job. Features such as ornamental fireplaces, door fittings etc were carefully removed for resale at our architectural salvage yard.
- Working in tandem with the soft strip team our own qualified scaffolders erected several full edge protection scaffolds to the roof for the reclamation of the slates. All slates were removed and transferred to our East Boldon yard for resale.
- Once the soft strip and slates were removed from each block the machine demolition and processing of materials commenced using excavators ranging from 20 to 45 tonne with various attachments such as buckets/grab/pulverisor/pecker etc. All building materials were sorted into different categories to maximise recycling values. During the demolition works dust suppression units were constantly dampening down the site to ensure no dust nuisance was reported. Site perimeter dust monitors were also placed around the site by independent specialists. Constant monitoring by the infection control team.
- All crushing of materials was undertaken on site utilising our in house fleet of crushers and screens.
- All work was managed by our designated site manager who regularly attended meetings with the Hospital management team to discuss safety, environmental and production issues.
