Vermiculite removal done cheaper and safer Celebrating its 30th anniversary as the Okanagan’s premier restoration company, Stutters is growing stronger each day. How do they do it? By investing dollars wisely into professionally trained staff and the newest technology in the industry, says Troy Fehr, manager of Stutters emergency mitigation division and the “R.I.S.K.” division (Remediation In Specialized Kleenup). “Let’s take our latest large purchase for example – the all-new Vector Loader, also known as the Hurricane trailer-mounted vacuum system. We just purchased this system for asbestos abatement,” Fehr says. “This large vacuum is powered by a John Deere motor and climbs 12 feet into the air. It is powerful enough to suck fivepound rocks 100 feet in the air if needed. (We won’t be doing that, of course.) However, we had a special HEPA filtration system installed in it and we can now suck asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation out of home attics and cinderblock walls quicker and safer than ever before.” Vermiculite is a highly friable form of asbestos, meaning its pieces can become airborne and breathable quite easily. It lodges in the lungs and will cause serious health issues such as asbestosis and cancer of the lungs. For the most part, vermiculite was used in the past to insulate cinderblock walls and home attics. “We find vermiculite all the time when we are mitigating after a flood or a fire,” says Fehr.
This regulated removal of vermiculite is classified as high risk by WorkSafeBC and needs to be done safely and carefully to ensure it all gets captured. “With our new Vector Loader, we need not worry as it will suck out all the vermiculite and then some. The successful use of this equipment has seen our time and supplies on site drop substantially. This means that we can drop our bottom-line cost for this type of remediation. In return, we can give that saving back to the consumer. Further, we make sure safety is the prime concern when we are on the job. It is a win-win for all parties involved,” Fehr says. There are serious consequences for not following safety regulations, whether it be removing hazardous waste or transporting it to a licensed facility. Recently, one demolition contractor in British Columbia was sentenced to 60 days in jail for repeatedly exposing unprotected workers to deadly asbestos fibers. Don’t leave your next asbestos remediation job to chance. Call Stutters Disaster Kleenup and put your mind and safety at ease: 1-877-763-1540. b
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