Stutters: licensed to haul asbestos from job sites

When it comes to handling dangerous goods, there’s no better qualified company to turn to than Stutters Disaster Kleenup of Kelowna. Stutters, serving B.C.’s Okanagan Valley for close to

three decades, is fully certified to transport asbestos and other hazardous goods. Stutters takes great care in providing the best possible service to ensure clients’ peace-of-mind.

Troy Fehr, the manager of Stutters’ water and risk division, says people may not be aware that any removal of a hazardous item such as asbestos must be done by a licensed contractor and the product, once removed, must be taken to a licensed landfill for disposal.

“You have to be licensed to take asbestos from the job site and haul it away to the landfill. You cannot have asbestos on the road without licensing. There are stiff penalties from federal and municipal regulators if that condition is not met.”

Fehr says it’s up to individual owners to be aware of exactly what is required when contracting a company to remove asbestos from a dwelling or business.

“For a homeowner, for example, it is his or her responsibility to make sure whoever transports asbestos to the dump after the removal is licensed to do so. If they are not licensed, the homeowner could face substantial

fines, running in the thousands of dollars. The same applies to the company transporting asbestos, the receiving facility and the insurance company.”

Fehr says Stutters is recognized as the best in the Okanagan for dealing with hazardous goods and is definitely the go-to company for that particular service.

“Environmental companies are very keen to work with Stutters due to our diligent work procedures, which result in above-average job-pass ratios. They know when we are called in, that the job is done correctly the first time.”

Fehr says Stutters’ staff is fully trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for microbial remediation. All risk staff members further have an asbestos awareness course and Transportation of Dangerous Good Licensing with the company. The IICRC is a non-profit certification body. It was founded to establish and monitor educational programs and standards for the inspection cleaning and restoration service industries, thus ensuring the public has access to trusted and trained cleaning professionals.

Fehr himself is an IICRC-certified triple master restorer. He’s a master water restorer, master fire and smoke restorer and a master textile cleaner. Fehr has been with Stutters for just over five and a half years. Earlier he was with another restoration firm in B.C. and previously had his own carpetcleaning business.

If not handled properly, asbestos poses a very dangerous hazard to health, Fehr says. It has been used in pipe insulation, drywall mudding compound, sprayed (popcorn) ceilings, and even linoleum flooring.

“The discontinuation of asbestos products started in the ‘70s, and by the ‘90s, the majority of building products were fully eradicated of asbestos-containing materials, based on the fact that it’s carcinogenic and can result in asbestosis, a debilitating lung disease. It is a known fact that one asbestos fibre can actually kill you if it gets into your lungs and remains there over a period of time. That’s why we take special precautions,” Fehr explains.

When Stutters removes asbestos, it follows a very strict set of procedures scoped out by an environmental company and strictly enforced by WCB.

“We set up a containment area with negative pressure, we poly everything in and seal it right off. And our crews go in with special breathing apparatus and are fully suited to carry out the removal process. The air is then purified with HEPA filters before it goes back out into the environment.”

To learn more about Stutters Disaster Kleenup, please visit the website at www.stutters.com, or contact them by telephone at 1-877-763-1540.

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