| McMahon Services
undertook the demolition and removal of contaminated plant and equipment
from the world renowned Blue Asbestos Mine at Wittenoom in the Pilbara
region. Wittenoom is a small town located at the mouth of the Wittenoom
Gorge, on the northern escarpment of the Hamersley Range. Prospector
Lang Hancock commenced mining blue asbestos in 1943.
The operation was later taken over by CSR subsidiary,
Australian Blue Asbestos.
At its peak Wittenoom was the largest town in the north west with
a population of 1,500. The asbestos was bagged at the mine and then
trucked to Roebourne and Port Sampson for loading onto ships. The
mine was once described as the most polluted place in Australia.
McMahon Services were selected for the contract
due to their expertise in the safe control of airborne Asbestos
dust which involved the unique modification of plant and machinery
cabins to prevent contamination entering the operators space including:
- Mechanical modifications to ensure cabins were airtight.
This included seal replacement and design changes.
- Air conditioning fan and filter modifications.
- Cabins fitted with HEPA filtered positive pressure fans.
- An extensive air monitoring sampling programme.
Other techniques used to avoid dust separation
included the use of
specialised HEPA filtered industrial vacuum extractor systems and
the use of
truck mounted robotic water cannons and spray equipment to soak
and
saturate work zones prior and during remediation works. |
