Case Study: Hospital Asbestos Abatement Project Cuts Timeline in Half with Zero Contamination

Techniques Used: Manual Demolition

Service: Asbestos Abatement

Asbestos abatement requires more than standard demolition experience. It’s a specialized process with strict safety regulations, high daily costs, and little margin for error – things that become even more important when working in an occupied building. Left unmanaged, asbestos fibres can spread quickly through ventilation systems, making containment by far the most critical part of the job.

When a hospital out of province needed to remove asbestos-containing ceilings on its second floor, while keeping the first floor fully operational, they needed a team that could move quickly without compromising safety. The abatement called for airtight containment, precise demolition, and a clear strategy to keep both costs and risks under control.

The Situation

This job required full containment and asbestos abatement across the second floor of the hospital, while active hospital operations continued on the floor below. That meant negative air chambers, sealed entry points in every room, and decontamination setups had to be built into the environment quickly.

Our team was brought in to support the general contractor and work alongside a local demolition team. While the local group had the capacity to support the job, this was a larger-scale asbestos removal project than they were comfortable with. Wickens provided a certified crew, including an on-site supervisor, with the experience and safety credentials to manage the complexity of a live-site asbestos abatement job.

The Solution

Once mobilized, the team worked on the containment setup across the second floor. The process involved building sealed negative air chambers, creating airtight transitions between each room, and installing decontamination units, including shower rooms, to prevent cross-contamination of any kind. With hospital operations active on the floor below, maintaining strict separation was critical. Every point of containment was inspected and approved before any work began.

Watch a video highlighting our thorough containment process on this hospital asbestos abatement project:

The abatement was carried out manually, using wetting agents and hand tools to safely remove asbestos-containing materials from the ceilings. The ceilings were made from concrete, rebar, and asbestos, meaning much of the overhead work involved lifting heavy weights. Safety protocols were followed closely throughout to ensure team protection, compliance, and efficiency.

Risk management remained central at every stage of the asbestos abatement process. Air quality was monitored regularly, containment pressure levels were checked and documented, and material handling and disposal followed the precise certified procedures. By operating with full transparency and staying ahead of regulatory requirements, Wickens ensured the worksite remained safe for both demolition teams, as well as the hospital staff and patients below.

The Results

The asbestos abatement timeline the contractor provided was eight weeks; however, the Wickens team completed full abatement and cleanup of the second floor in five weeks – nearly cutting the schedule in half. This allowed the hospital to move to the next phase of construction much earlier than planned, minimizing disruption and helping the client stay ahead of project milestones. After the final cleaning, every room passed third-party air testing with flying colours.

Finishing the job early also meant a direct financial benefit to the client. With daily air sampling, equipment operations, and labour running in parallel, shortening the schedule helped avoid tens of thousands in additional costs.

Overall, the project was completed safely, without disrupting operations on the floor below, and saved the client money. They expressed full satisfaction with both the process during the cleanup and the end results.

Need certified support for a complex asbestos abatement project?

Wickens brings proven experience, expertise, and certified teams that understand the technical, environmental, and operational precision of asbestos abatement projects. Whether you’re managing an asbestos ceiling removal or a full-floor remediation, Wickens will help you get it done right.

Need asbestos abatement support on short notice? Wickens provides certified teams with the ability to mobilize in as little as 24 hours. Contact us today for a free quote.