A Critical Analysis of Asbestos Removal Project Cost Implications

摘要

The United Kingdom's control of asbestos at work (CAWR) regulations in October 2002, introduced a new duty to manage asbestos risk at non-domestic premises. The new regulations took effect on May 21, 2004. In order to meet statutory requirements regarding the compilation of asbestos information and records for all its buildings, as well as identify any asbestos that could pose a risk to buildings users, the London Borough of Hillingdon initiated a four-year asbestos survey program in 1999, to update its records. This involved the identification, management, and removal of asbestos from the property stock. The problem was the enormous scope of unforeseen difficulties and risks leading to project delay, cost and stress. It was believed that the problem arose as a result of poor project planning and communication; a lack of initial reference to the existing asbestos registers, and major refurbishment and /or demolition projects setting off with limited information on asbestos containing materials. By use of a case study methodology, this critical analysis studied the cost implications of setting out with varying degrees of information on asbestos containing materials, using 20 randomly selected refurbishment and/or demolition projects running concurrently with asbestos removals. It was hoped that the knowledge gained would facilitate the development of a strategy for cost containment for similar projects in future. The importance of this study lays in its multi-dimensional approach while paying particular attention to measures of project success of time, cost, qualify, and customer satisfaction.