Hazardous Site Inspections – why the leaching of chemicals could have been avoided at the West Footscray industrial fire site.

Inspections of confined, dirty, dark or dangerous spaces, have historically been conducted by putting people in harm’s way, or by avoiding the requirement for inspection all together. A recent example of this is the massive stockpile of highly toxic chemicals discovered inside the rubble of a West Footscray warehouse almost a year after it burned down in August 2018.

The EPA estimates there are 7 to 10 million litres of chemicals still present onsite inside the largely destroyed facility. These chemicals were not discovered, let alone surveyed, until nearly 14 months after the fire. The reason for this delay was reported to be due to safety concerns within the site. The delay has led to the leaching of chemicals into Stony Creek and the contamination of 7 to 15 million cubic metres of soil and building debris. This incident has raised serious concerns around the decision-making process at the EPA.

Whilst the protection of human wellbeing is the principal goal of the EPA, with the state of inspection technology and robotics where it is, there is no legitimate health and safety reason for a lengthy delay to inspections. Uaviation have resolved the problem of putting inspection personnel in harm’s way using our versatile fleet of bespoke unmanned robotic vehicles.

Uaviation’s robots routinely replace inspectors in situations where engulfment, fall from heights, contamination, crushing, hearing damage, or poisoning are real risks. These solutions are faster, safer and more affordable than manned inspections, and usually remove the need for downtime for operations.

With multiple ground, air and marine inspection solutions, Uaviation can complete a wide range of inspections services from preliminary site assessments, to more detailed surveys.

Health and safety, regulatory compliance and other stakeholders can work alongside inspectors, monitoring the live feed from the craft to provide direction, value and insight into the inspection process.

If you have a hazardous site inspection and survey challenge in need of a solution, please contact us through our website at https://uaviation.com.au/contact/ or on (03) 9618 2000.