Workers to remove asbestos near Humanities Monday

Contractors for the brick replacement project recently found broken, asbestos-containing pipe underground in a small area southwest of the Humanities Building within the construction area.

On Monday, Aug. 4, certified asbestos workers will begin setting up to remove and safely dispose of the contaminated soil and debris. The work area will be tented over and sealed. Negative air machines with HEPA filters and air monitoring will ensure the safety of workers in the area; outside the tented area will be monitored for the protection of passersby.

The work will occur within the existing fenced contractor work area. The contaminated materials will be bagged, then moved into a storage vehicle at the end of each workday, when they will be disposed of as contaminated waste according to state requirements.

Anticipated date of completion is prior to 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7.

For more information, contact Doug MacLean, project manager, Facilities Development and Capital Budget, at 360-650-3791 or doug.maclean@wwu.edu; or Sue Sullivan, director of Environmental Health & Safety, at 360-650-6512 or sue.sullivan@wwu.edu.