André Clairoux began his career in the field 44 years ago. From laborer to foreman, then from estimator to project manager, he has explored every facet of the profession across several companies in Ontario and Quebec. His constant drive to push boundaries and his innovative spirit have allowed him to contribute to revolutionizing asbestos decontamination methods, while ensuring the safety and well-being of both employees and their environment.
Revolutionary Innovation
In collaboration with Marc Leblanc, he designed a mobile decontamination SAS for contractors working on high-risk outdoor sites, such as areas with petroleum products or contaminated soil. It replaces temporary setups in rented trailers, which proved neither robust enough nor suitable to withstand the harsh conditions of these worksites. Launched in spring 2024, this project, developed over two years, was designed with worker comfort and safety in mind. As Mr. Clairoux explains: ‘My partner and I have faced multiple worksites ourselves, so we understand what our employees deal with day after day. We are very proud to provide them with a healthy environment, tailored to their needs, and compliant with CNESST standards.
Safety First
To ensure safe entry and exit from the worksite, the mobile SAS is divided into three distinct areas: an entry zone, a decontamination zone with an exit SAS, and showers. Upon entering the clean zone, workers access a common room containing all the information needed for proper decontamination procedures (procedures, work methods, emergency contacts, prevention programs, CNESST daily reports, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits). The room is air-conditioned or heated to ensure occupant comfort in all seasons. Next are the men’s and women’s locker rooms, equipped with benches and lockers for storing personal belongings before the start of a shift.
At the end of the day, employees use the door leading to the contaminated rooms. The common room is equipped with a negative pressure unit with a HEPA filter, which performs regular air changes to prevent contamination of the clean locker rooms. In this area, workers remove their coveralls, work boots, and contaminated tools, storing them in lockers or on hooks. They can then take a shower before returning to the clean changing room to retrieve their personal belongings.