Class B Asbestos Roof Removal and Roof Void Decontamination at a Residential Property

PRO Environmental Services Ltd was engaged to safely remove asbestos-containing corrugated roof sheets from a 150m² residential property in Paremata, Porirua. The scope included full removal of the ACM roofing, thorough decontamination of the roof void, and secure weatherproofing to ensure the property remained protected against Wellington’s notoriously windy conditions.

Challenges

A key challenge in this project was maintaining safe access for the occupants, who remained in the home during works. The team needed to manage contamination risks while ensuring minimal disruption to the residents’ daily routines.

Our Approach

To maintain site safety and protect the public and other contractors, the PROES team immediately installed signage and physical barriers around the worksite. A safe access route was established for the residents.

The team masked the scaffold, walls, and any flat surfaces with 200-micron polythene, secured using staples, cloth tape, and spray adhesive, to protect surfaces and contain contamination. A decontamination unit was set up on site and used rigorously after each shift.

Before beginning the removal, the team held daily pre-start meetings to check tools, equipment, and site integrity. Once the area was confirmed safe and secure, our certified asbestos operatives—equipped with disposable coveralls, appropriate footwear, and P3 half-face respirators—began the removal.

Dust suppression was critical to controlling airborne fibres, so the team used fine water misting during removal. Using a combination of hammers, nail pullers, crowbars, screwdrivers, and bolt cutters, the ACM roof sheets were carefully dismantled. If necessary, impact drills were used where manual tools weren’t effective.

Once the roof sheets were removed, the roof void was immediately cleaned. This included removing dust, debris, insulation, nails, and screws using H-class vacuum cleaners and manual tools. All asbestos materials were double-bagged in Hazmat-approved bags and safely lowered through a designated loadout zone on the scaffold.