Decontamination is the process of removing or perhaps simply neutralizing harmful contaminants that might otherwise build up and become potentially hazardous. It’s critical to the on-going protection of both personnel and equipment that regular and routine decontamination checks are completed.
If you are lacking in the skilled resources or simply don’t have the time or specialist equipment required to carry out these procedures effectively yourself, then US Industrial Demolition offers a series of tailored solutions designed to meet client requirements no matter how large or small the site.
Why do you need a decontamination process in place?
Without a decontamination plan, hazardous substances may begin to permeate and contaminate even through specialized protective clothing as well as any tools, vehicles, or equipment being used in proximity to the dangerous materials. Not only that but by containing and managing localized contamination, the transference of contaminates to clean areas can also be minimized.
What should a decontamination plan look like?
At US Industrial Demolition, we offer an extensive range of customized treatment plans each of which is uniquely developed in conjunction with assessing your personnel and equipment and specifically how they interact with and are exposed to any areas containing hazardous substances.
In general, an effective decontamination plan should take account of the six following essential criteria:
Assess and determine the layout as well as the frequency of decontamination stations
Assess and evaluate the type of decontamination equipment required
Assess and recommend the best practice decontamination methods to be adopted
Recommend and establish a comprehensive set of procedures to prevent contamination of clean areas
Establish protocol and processes to minimize unnecessary exposure of personnel to contaminants when removing any protective clothing or equipment
Establish protocol and procedures for disposing safely of any garments and equipment not satisfactorily decontaminated
Regularly review and update your plan.
Any decontamination plan should be flexible and regularly updated but particularly any time changes are made to the type and of equipment or personal protective clothing issued to personnel to wear who are dealing with hazardous substances.
If the site hazards themselves are subject to any change then again, it’s recommended that your decontamination plan is revised and updated.
Effective decontamination methods.
There are three principle methods utilized to successfully decontaminate personnel, clothing, equipment, or samples before they can be safely removed from the exclusion site. These methods are either physical removal, chemical removal, or a combination of the two processes.
Some standard decontamination cleaning processes include high-pressure water jetting, chemical leaching and extraction, as well as dry heat and steam sterilization. There are, of course, a whole host of other industrial cleaning services that can be utilized. To find out more about what services are appropriate for your business, get in touch with us today at US Industrial Demolition.