Asbestos Removal Companies: How Do You Find the Best One for Your Needs?

Asbestos was widely used in the building industry throughout the 1980’s due to its strength and resistance to heat. It can be found in a variety of products such as insulation, flooring, and duct work.

When asbestos fibres come loose and airborne, they pose a significant health risk, causing cancers and other diseases. Because of this, when you find asbestos in your home or commercial building, you will want to act immediately to have it removed.

No matter how much of a hurry you may be in, however, you should take a moment to be sure that you are hiring the right company for the job. When it comes to asbestos removal companies, how do you find the best one for your needs? Here are some things to consider.

Training. What sort of training have the company employees, managers, and owners completed? Project managers and owners should be certified for moderate and high-risk asbestos removal, and they may be certified AHERA Building Inspectors. Workers should be certified in asbestos awareness training.

• License and Insurance. Be sure to check the company’s license and permit. Asbestos removal is a hazardous job that requires a government license. Is the company registered with WorkSafeBC?
• Do they have liability and asbestos abatement insurance? Their policy should clearly indicate that they are insured for asbestos removal. Choosing to work with a company that lacks a permit and license can land you in serious trouble with the government and exposes you to workers who may not be trained properly to remove asbestos.
• Risk Assessment. The company should provide you with a detailed risk assessment based on the survey of the work to be done.
• Removal Method. Be sure you understand the method of removal. The company should start with an inspection to locate the precise location of asbestos in the building and should also be making use of the latest methods and equipment required for safe asbestos removal.
• Equipment Testing. If performing high-risk work, is their equipment DOP tested? This is a method of testing HEPA filtered equipment to ensure that it is working properly. Equipment that has not been tested risks spreading asbestos through the building.
• Clearance Letter. At the end of the project, the company should provide you with an asbestos clearance Letter detailing the work that has been done, the date, the NOPA number, the waste manifest number, and if applicable, the air clearance.
•  Reputation. Always research the company you will be dealing with. How long have they been in business? Have they ever been fined by WorkSafeBC? Check some reviews of the company; many sites will have customer testimonials and BBB ratings. Most reputable companies will proudly display their accreditation. Additionally, you may want to check other sources such as Yelp and the Google business page. By checking up on what other customers have said, you will get an idea of the type of service you can expect for yourself.

Asbestos removal is a serious business. Your continued safety is reliant upon those who know how to do the job properly. Although it may be tempting to look for the least expensive service available, your wisest course of action is to focus on the asbestos removal companies that prioritize safety and proper removal.