ASBESTOS & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CONSULTING

ABOUT US

We are an asbestos and hazardous materials consulting company proudly serving South Central Alberta and Southwest Saskatchewan.

Mike, a Saskatchewan boy, met Heather a Southern Alberta girl, while they were both playing post-secondary basketball and earning their educations at Medicine Hat College.

They worked throughout Southern Alberta gaining valuable industry experience and knowledge before returning to Medicine Hat to put down roots.

Canada’s sunniest city held ample potential for Squareone and The Anderson’s young family. While they enjoy the mountains and the bright city lights, those prairie skies and friendly neighbours just can’t be beat. Medicine Hat is the perfect home-base for their family-owned business.

Mike and Heather spend their days at Squareone and seemingly every other second shuttling kids to the hockey rink and dance studio, coffee in hand.

At Squareone, hard-work is valued, trust and integrity are valued, and we are proud to contribute to our incredible communities. Thank-you for trusting Squareone with your business, we are so glad you’re here.

SQUAREONE
ESTABLISHED

2012

PROJECTS COMPLETED
TO DATE

3704

SERVICES

Squareone Consulting is an asbestos and mould consulting company. The following is a description of how our services can be utilized for both commercial and residential projects:

ASBESTOS INDENTIFICATION

All buildings built prior to 1990 likely contain asbestos products. During renovations, specific materials need to be tested and once identified, non-asbestos materials can be safely removed and a plan can be made to remove materials that contain asbestos safely. Common materials to be tested in residential homes are: drywall joint compound, floor tile, vinyl flooring, ceiling texture, and vermiculite attic insulation.

ASBESTOS REMOVAL PROCEDURES

Once positive asbestos materials have been identified, we can help develop proper removal procedures to adhere to government standards.

ASBESTOS AIR MONITORING

During asbestos abatement, we can provide the air monitoring required during the removal in order to assure both abatement workers and residents that the work is being done safely and properly. When abatement is complete, we provide a clearance letter stating that the area is safe for the occupancy of unprotected persons.

HEPA-FILTER CERTIFICATION

All jobs require the testing of all hepa-filters used in the project. We are certified to provide this service, and can test each piece of equipment at your shop or on site.

ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION

Currently Saskatchewan requires each abatement worker to take an asbestos awareness course. This will allow you to train current employees to be able to do asbestos removal. We can provide this course to any number of employees, and can do the course at your office. Saskatchewan is looking at changing their asbestos requirements to move more in line with current Alberta standards (a two-day asbestos course approved by Occupational Health and Safety). We do not currently provide this training in Alberta, but are actively building a course in order to be able to provide it when required.

INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR SERVICES?

CONTACT MIKE FOR MORE INFORMATION

FAQ

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral – is it mined and was used in everyday products as a binding agent. Asbestos was frequently used because it is non-flammable, a poor electrical conductor, non- corrosive, and it resists biological growth.

Is asbestos really dangerous?

When asbestos fibers are inhaled they become lodged in the lung tissues. Asbestos is unable to be broken down by our bodies, so it remains and causes inflammation. The inflammation can eventually cause scarring which alters the cells and increases the risk of cancer. Pleural plaques develop in the lungs as a result of asbestos exposure and thicken the lining of the lungs. Asbestosis occurs when the lungs have so much inflammation and scarring that they cannot expand and contract normally.

Four percent of all lung cancer is caused by asbestos and mesothelioma is cancer caused specifically by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is currently incurable.

“Asbestos-related disease is 100% preventable. That fact motivates me. It should motivate all of us. If we stopped using asbestos, by definition, we could stop asbestos disease.” – Dr. Ken Takahashi (Director of the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute)

Where is it found?

The use of asbestos has been prohibited since the mid-1980s, however, in construction, asbestos can be found in just about any building material made before 1987. Common materials found in residential and commercial buildings are: drywall joint compound, ceiling texture, vinyl sheet flooring, vinyl floor tile, flooring mastic, leveling compound, vermiculite attic insulation, window and door caulking, exterior stucco, exterior paneling, roofing paper, cement board, spray insulation, paper ducting insulation, pope elbow mud, and pipe runs to name a few.

Can you tell if it’s there without testing?

No. It is very common for items made before 1987 to contain asbestos, but the only way to know for sure is to have a sample taken—using proper sampling techniques—and have it analyzed by an accredited lab. If materials that may contain asbestos are being removed without testing, they must be assumed to be positive for asbestos and therefore removed using industry-accepted asbestos abatement techniques.

Can I remove it myself?

No. Due to the minute size of the asbestos fibers, it is difficult—if not impossible—to control their release without the proper equipment and training. Asbestos contamination does not only affect the workers and people in the immediate area, but can easily be brought home on workers’ clothing, exposing more people to the fibers.

I already started removing it, now what??

1. STOP.
2. Try to contain the area to prevent fibers from being released into a larger area.
3. Dispose of, or contain all clothing used during the renovation.
4. Contact an asbestos professional.

ASBESTOS & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CONSULTING

ABOUT US

SQUAREONE
ESTABLISHED

2012

PROJECTS COMPLETED
TO DATE