As part of the Zaragoza Public Road Maintenance Contract, work is underway during the month of August to renovate Avenida de Navarra in Zaragoza. This work includes replacing the asbestos cement water supply pipes on the odd-numbered side of the street between Rioja and Torres de Quevedo streets. The company Construcciones MLN, S.A.U., registered with the RERA registry, has submitted a work plan in accordance with the regulations on health and safety applicable to work involving exposure to asbestos.
The work procedure consists of: excavating the trench until the existing pipe is exposed, dismantling the metal flanges joining the old asbestos cement pipes, inertizing the removed pipe sections with sealed plastic wrapping, and placing them in a special waste container designated for delivery to an Authorized Hazardous Waste Management Company.
Prevention measures applied in the procedure
The prevention measures included in the procedure to avoid and control worker exposure to asbestos fibers are: the application of a work method that prevents the release of fibers into the environment; carrying out the work with the minimum number of workers necessary; training and certification of exposed workers; delimitation and signage of the work area; use of encapsulating equipment and products that prevent the release of fibers into the environment; use of personal protective equipment appropriate to the risk; and installation in the work area of a personal hygiene and decontamination booth in accordance with regulations for work involving exposure to asbestos. and ongoing monitoring of fiber concentration in the workplace environment.
Once the removal of the asbestos cement pipe is complete, ductile iron pipes are installed for the new water supply network in the affected section.
