Asbestos abatement is a high-stakes process where careful planning, technical knowledge, and regulatory compliance intersect. Yet, time and time again, we see projects that run into major issues—not because the work is inherently impossible, but because of avoidable missteps.
If you're planning a renovation, demolition, or any construction project, understanding the top mistakes in asbestos abatement can save you time, money, and legal trouble. By being aware of these mistakes, you can plan your project more effectively and avoid unnecessary stress.
Mistake Number One: Skipping or Rushing the Asbestos Survey
The most common and damaging mistake is beginning work without a comprehensive asbestos survey. On a recent project, a client started demolition without a thorough asbestos survey. That decision led to the unexpected discovery of asbestos-containing materials mid-project.
The result? Over $1 million in emergency cleanup costs. Worse yet, the client hadn’t budgeted for that kind of expense, and the project was thrown into chaos. This kind of error also results in violations of both state and federal asbestos regulations, which could result in legal penalties on top of the cleanup costs. A thorough survey by an accredited asbestos inspector is the foundation of a successful abatement project. The potential financial and legal consequences of skipping or rushing the asbestos survey can disrupt the entire project.
The survey identifies suspect materials in the work area and helps ensure the project complies with applicable regulations.
Cutting corners here almost always costs more in the end.
Mistake Number Two: Underestimating Non-Friable Asbestos Materials
Another frequent mistake is assuming that non-friable asbestos-containing materials—like floor tile and flooring adhesive are safe to handle casually.
These materials may appear low-risk, but they can still release dangerous asbestos fibers if improperly disturbed. Using incorrect removal techniques or failing to contain the work area can lead to significant contamination and exposure.
We’ve seen projects where non-friable materials were mishandled, and clearance air samples failed due to high asbestos fiber counts inside the work area.
Take non-friable materials seriously—or you might spend more time and money than anticipated.
Mistake Number Three: Confusing the Survey Report with a Project Design
Asbestos survey reports are critical—but they are not project design documents. Asbestos survey reports tell you what contains asbestos, not how to remove or dispose of the asbestos safely.
Relying solely on the survey as the basis for an abatement project can lead to confusion, incomplete work, and risk to workers and building occupants. We've worked on projects where site owners used only the survey as a guide, leading to incomplete abatement, regulatory non-compliance, and unexpected rework.
A proper abatement project should include working drawings and specifications that outline which materials are to be removed, what techniques must be used, the containment strategy, personal protective equipment requirements, and clearance testing criteria.
These should be developed by accredited asbestos abatement designers and professional engineers—professionals who understand the technical and regulatory sides of the work. How can the project team get competitive bids from abatement contractors if there are no detailed project design documents?
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these three mistakes can drastically improve the outcome of your asbestos abatement project. Investing in a thorough survey, treating all asbestos-containing materials with the seriousness they deserve, and using qualified professionals to design the abatement plan can prevent delays, cost overruns, and legal trouble.
When it comes to asbestos, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure—sometimes literally a million dollars more.
Contact us if you have questions or need help planning, designing, and executing an asbestos abatement project. Our team has decades of experience helping clients navigate these challenges safely and efficiently.
website: www.wynnwhite.com
email: [email protected]
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