Clandestine Drug Laboratory Assessments
Getex can provide assessments, to council requirements and best codes of practice, so that owners, property managers and occupants can once again use their properties.
Former drug manufacturing locations can become unsafe areas for occupancy as there is a risk to the health of humans and the environment from chemical residues left behind. Therefore councils require assessments of the locations to make sure that owners, property managers and occupants can return safely.
Illicit drug manufacturing presents serious contamination problems. This is as a result from operators typically avoiding conventional chemical manufacturing good practices in order to avoid detection. These residual contaminants can be in the form of solids, liquids and gasses and may be deposited on walls, floors, drains or any fixture and fittings in the clandestine drug laboratory vicinity.
To ensure that a former drug manufacturing location is safe for occupancy and complies with local government requirements and best codes of practice, Getex can provide the necessary stages to achieve this result.
These stages are as follows:
- Initial Assessment
- Remedial Action Plan (RAP) – If Required
- Remediation & Validation Report – If Required
Initial Assessment
Getex can fulfil the requirements of council and undertake the initial assessment. Council want to know if the dwelling/site is safe for occupancy. The Getex philosophy is to assist with relieving the burden for owners, property managers and occupants.
The first step in assessing whether a dwelling/site is fit for occupancy is to identify whether contaminants are still present. The contaminants assessed depend on the precursor chemicals, manufacturing methods and reaction wastes.
This stage may include the following:
- Reviewing available police and council records to obtain pertinent background details
- Inspection of the site and any residual waste materials still present
- Sampling of the buildings and surrounding environment
The findings from the assessment are detailed in a report which includes whether the dwelling is fit for occupancy or identifying the nature and extent of contaminants that require remedial cleanup action.
Remedial Action Plan (RAP)
The objective of the RAP is to specify works to return the dwelling/site for normal use.
If the initial assessment determined that the areas are not safe to occupy Getex can assist the owners, property managers and occupants by preparing the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) that will guide the required clean up works.
This RAP will document in detail all procedures that should be implemented to reduce any contaminant risks to acceptable levels and will include the following:
- Remediation goal
- Remediation method
- OHS management plan
- Environmental management plan
- Personal Protection Equipment
- Testing required for validation to confirm successful remediation
- Contingency plans
Remediation & Validation Report
A validation report provides the required documentation for regulatory authorities to confirm that a dwelling/site is fit to re-occupy.
If clean up works are required, Getex can assist with the selection of a suitable contractor to conduct the remediation works and Project Manage the clean up process. By having Getex manage it for you, it will ensure that the clean up works run smoothly and are done correctly.
During and following remediation a validation program is implemented to ensure that all the objectives specified in the RAP have been achieved. Getex re-assess the areas so that the owners, property managers and occupants can be at ease knowing that the areas are clear of chemicals and safe to occupy.
This stage includes but is not limited to the following:
- Inspection to ensure clean up works have been completed to the required standard and that no visible risks remain
- Sampling/testing of building components and environment to ensure no residual contamination risks remain
The results of the validation assessment are detailed in a validation report to advise if the dwelling/site is fit for occupancy or if unsatisfactory levels of contaminants still remain. This report is crucial in ensuring that the dwelling/site is safe for occupants and the surrounding community.