As designers of sustainable and healthy environments for communities, WSP’s Hazardous materials and Occupational Health specialists have a strong understanding of local regulations and standards, as well as delivering global expertise to every project.
Frank is a highly experienced Environmental Scientist and brings a considerable expertise in hazardous materials and Occupational Health to the WSP business.
He says changes to New Zealand asbestos and occupational health regulations that came into force in 2016 created a challenge for employers, building and land owners to manage risks around indoor air quality and hazardous materials in the workplace.
“There can be a great deal of confusion and varying quality of advice on how hazardous materials - including asbestos - should be managed. Unfortunately, this has resulted in large sums of money being spent on removing material when, in fact, that may not be the most appropriate way to manage risk,” he says.
Frank says one of the biggest issues he sees is when hazardous materials aren’t identified or managed appropriately at the right point in time.“If a client purchases land to develop without knowing if there is asbestos or other hazardous materials it can result in massive budget blowout. This can add significant risks to the cost of construction through EoT or, in some cases, the project being axed altogether.”
About
WSP specialises in the management and resolution of risks surrounding hazardous materials and Occupational Health. Our team of professionals evaluate and control chemical, physical and biological hazards, as well as potential indoor air quality (IAQ) problems. They identify the presence, condition and quantities of hazardous materials in the air, water and soil, and develop cost-effective abatement plans to meet client needs.
