Basic steps of the decontamination process
The origin and flows of hazardous waste in construction are very diverse and this will be absolutely decisive in the decontamination process. However, the management of hazardous waste is also linked to labour, health and safety, and waste management regulations, which vary from country to country.
Therefore, the basic steps for a decontamination process are proposed below. But it must be considered that these are general guidelines that must be adapted to each particular case.
- BEFORE DECONTAMINATION
- Investigation
Before starting any maintenance, rehabilitation, or demolition work on a construction or any other support (train, ship, …) it is essential to know what is in it, carrying out a preliminary investigation.
The purpose of this research is to search for possible hazardous waste so that they can be properly managed.
- Identification
A fundamental aspect regarding the proper management of hazardous waste is its identification since its nature and its inherent hazardous characteristics will determine the requirements for handling.
In order to identify hazardous wastes, it may be necessary to sample them through the most appropriate mechanisms for each type of waste (environmental measurements, collection of fragments, …). This process will be done taking the appropriate precautions.
The samples will be sent to an accredited laboratory, which will prepare a report with the results of the analysis. This document should be added to the investigation report. All the results obtained during the waste identification process dangerous (both positive and negative) should be attached to the project, in which any action to be taken will be based.
- Quantification
Finally, it will be necessary to prepare a report in which the dangerous wastes detected will be quantified. This report will include at least the following information about the hazardous wastes found: quantity, location, type, and status.
- Elaboration of an inventory
The inventory allows knowing where and how dangerous substances are, know the risks involved and, if you need to do some kind of modification, have the pertinent information. It must be updated periodically so that it can be considered as reliable.
Carrying out the investigation, identification and quantification will allow us to obtain a detailed inventory, which can be supplemented with data such as measurements or preventive measures to adopt.
- DECONTAMINATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTES
Decontamination of hazardous wastes is defined as the set of actions required to isolate, remove and prepare for transport a hazardous waste.
The decontamination of hazardous wastes stands as a key activity in the eradication of these dangerous substances. It is a highly specialized activity, which must be carried out by specialised companies which have trained personnel and equipment adapted to specific waste to be decontaminated.
NOTE: The existence of dangerous or potentially dangerous substances does not always require their immediate removal or to carry out decontamination.
Some of these substances can continue to be used normally or be maintained for your original purpose, as long as they are duly identified and do not pose a risk to the health or the environment. When these substances reach the end of their useful life, or when their state or danger poses a risk, they will become hazardous waste and must be withdrawn.
In general, decontamination will be necessary when the type of hazardous waste that we face requires its withdrawal, and this must be done through a process of special isolation, removal, and conditioning, so that it does not pose a risk to the health or the environment. [Layout: Include the highlighted paragraphs in a box as a note]
The decontamination process should always be carried out in the following phases, adapting them to the particularities of the waste to decontaminate:
Phase 0: Resource inventories: mapping of materials
- Identification of hazardous substances
- Documentation prior to demolition
- Preparation of the tendering
Phase 1: Work planning
Phase 2: Isolation of the affected area
Phase 3: Removal of the hazardous waste
Phase 4: Preparation for transport
Phase 5: Verification of the affected area and decontamination
Phase 6: Delivery to the authorized waste manager
Phase 7: Elaboration of the decontamination report
Since each type of hazardous waste has its particular environmental and health risks, the workers carrying out the decontamination must be protected according to the risks of exposure, and appropriate actions to protect the rest of the personnel not involved will be taken.
- HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT AFTER THE DECONTAMINATION
The management of hazardous waste includes the following steps:
- Storage
Depending on the type of hazardous waste, its location, and its condition, temporary storage may be considered. It should always be done in safe conditions, with preventive measures adapted to the hazardous waste and according to local regulations.
- Transport
Transportation must be done by an authorized waste manager, having previously notified the competent authority and keeping the traceability of the waste.
- Final treatment or storage
Some types of hazardous waste can be treated to be reincorporated into the activity. But when they cannot be treated to neutralize their dangerousness, the manager would prepare them for their definitive storage.
- Final management and transfer of ownership
In Europe, generally, the ownership of the waste belongs to whoever originates it, although in the management process they may intervene multiple agents.
Hazardous waste management actually ends once this ownership is transferred to the final manager, after the appropriate actions and documentaries verifications.
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