If your project involves cutting or scarifying concrete, stone, brick, or other masonry you likely are creating silica dust particles. Silica, when entering the lungs can be a cancer-causing agent. Workers and customers are more aware of the hazardous dust and demand corrective action. This can be very costly, and your insurance likely won’t cover the hazard.
Two Real Examples That Left Contractors Paying for Expensive Clean-ups:
Case One:
A contractor’s employees scarified concrete floors to prepare the surface for an epoxy finish. In the process it spread silica-containing dust throughout a million-dollar project. Improper containment and engineering controls allowed dust to contaminate motors, cabinets, ductwork and air handling units. This case is still in litigation, beyond the cleanup cost, it will cost both the general contractor and the subcontractor hundreds of thousands of dollars due to removal and replacement of contaminated building materials and electronics.
Case Two:
We are currently involved in another silica clean-up caused by a contractor cutting an opening in a brick and concrete wall. The contractor thought they took the proper precautions to protect the building from the silica containing dust. It wasn’t enough and now they are paying for a clean-up that includes disposal of furnishings, motors, and more.
Wellington Environmental provides Silica Related Services Including:
- Employee Exposure Monitoring
- Air and Surface Testing
- Equipment Rentals for Controlling Dust
- Duct Cleaning
- Containment Erection and Engineering Controls
Involve Wellington Environmental from the beginning to avoid hazardous and costly mistakes.
Contact us with any questions concerning silica related projects.
