Merlynston Station

Raw Earth Environmental Pty Ltd (Raw Earth) were engaged to conduct Occupational Hygienist Work associated with an unexpected find (asbestos) as part of the Merlynston Station upgrade works. Following on from this, Waste Classification Assessment was required for Per and Poly Fluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) and asbestos contaminated soil.

Description and value of services provided by the consultant

Raw Earth attended site upon an unexpected find, including the discovery of a box of bonded Asbestos Containing Material. Raw Earth’s Occupation Hygienist undertook Asbestos Air Monitoring and provided a Clearance upon the removal of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM), ensuring the correct asbestos controls were in place throughout the works. The work was also supervised by a Licensed Asbestos Assessor (LAA).

Following the successful removal of the ACM, the client required waste classification of additional soil requiring disposal as part of the upgrade works. The soil was contaminated with PFAS and asbestos.

Raw Earth undertook a Waste Classification Assessment (WCA) to assess the contamination status and disposal requirements of approximately 30 m³ of soil. The material could be disposed of as Fill Material Upper Limit and Asbestos Contaminated Waste.

Specific challenges related to the services and actions taken by the consultant to deal with them.

The site was located in an operational railway corridor and as such Raw Earth personnel were required to have a Rail Industry Worker Card. Furthermore, the logistics of working in a live railway corridor, with residential receptors and commuters close by, was a challenge that had to be thought out thoroughly. All excavation areas were fenced off with appropriate asbestos signage and decontamination facilities for the asbestos works which were undertaken.

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