Who is under this hazmat suit?

All Roads crew had to slip into hazmat suits recently when we discovered Asbestos Cement (AC) drainage main pipes as part of aging infrastructure rehabilitation project we are currently undertaking in Langley.

It is estimated that approximately 18%, or close to 1 million kilometers, of drinking or potable water distribution, as well as sewer force mains in Canada and the US are Asbestos Cement (AC) pipes.

It is estimated that approximately 18%, or close to 1 million kilometers, of drinking or potable water distribution, as well as sewer force mains in Canada and the US are Asbestos Cement (AC) pipes. Regulations on AC pipes handling is very strict and any construction or maintenance work to disturb AC pipes must be done in full accordance with WorkSafeBC guidelines, Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OHSR) rules and the 2012 Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos publication.

All Roads is currently undertaking 202 Street and 48 Avenue area utilities and road rehabilitation project in Langley and it entails the replacement of aging water mains, storm sewers, associated services, as well as road paving and curbs and gutters construction as part of the comprehensive infrastructure upgrade initiative.

After looking at the City of Langley Utilities Maps, and geographic information system blueprints, it was discovered the drainage main in the area was asbestos cement pipes.

We know what happens when you breathe in airborne asbestos fibres. If those tiny fibres make their way into our lungs, they are trapped there for good and can cause serious health problems, including host list of cancers.

This means, those AC pipes can't be simply cut and be disposed like regular PVC pipes. We had to follow the applicable safety regulations to the letter. Our Safety Division, and Project Manager developed a plan to safely cut and remove sections of the AC pipe in order to install the new drainage connections.

We provided asbestos handling training to our select field employees who would be in trenches and in direct contact with these pipes. The safety team gathered the proper safety gear and supplies needed. The Project Manager set up a procedure for safe disposal of hazardous materials at appropriate facilities.

"Our plan worked exactly the way we wanted and we successfully and safely completed this portion of the project", says Jesse Sewell, the project's superintendent.

"Now we can pad our already-thick road building resumes with one new bullet point of being trained in AC pipes handling", says JesseSewell with laughter.

Never a dull day at All Roads.

Our Safety Team:

• Katarina Zahuta
• Kassandra Matte

Project Manager:

• Mike Grey

Project Superintendent:

• Jesse Sewall

Mystery man in the hazmat suit:

• Pino Cortese

Thank you Jeffrey Scott for providing these shots from the field!