Why Asbestos Testing Before Road Works Is Essential
Before starting any road or sidewalk project, asbestos and PAH testing is a legal requirement. Whether the work concerns a small sidewalk repair or a major roadway project, pavement analysis must be carried out before construction begins. â ïž
These regulations aim to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances such as asbestos fibers and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), both recognized as harmful to human health.
Why Asbestos and PAH Can Be Found in Road Pavements
For many years, asbestos and PAHs were commonly used in bituminous materials for road construction. As a result, older pavements may still contain hazardous substances today.
During road works, drilling, milling, or excavation operations can release dangerous particles into the air. Therefore, identifying contaminated materials before construction is essential for worker safety and regulatory compliance.
A Mandatory Step Before Road Works
Current regulations require project owners to perform asbestos and PAH testing before any pavement work begins.
These analyses help infrastructure managers:
- Protect workers and contractors
- Identify contaminated pavement areas
- Prepare safer construction sites
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Reduce health and environmental risks
Moreover, early diagnosis helps operators better plan future maintenance and rehabilitation work.
How Asbestos and PAH Testing Is Performed
At NextRoad, we support infrastructure managers throughout the entire testing process.
Our teams define representative sampling strategies according to the structure and condition of the pavement. We then carry out field sampling and coordinate laboratory analyses through our COFRAC-certified partner laboratories.
All analyses are performed in compliance with the regulations introduced by the decree of October 1, 2020.
Smarter Infrastructure Management with Better Data
Diagnosis results are integrated into our MAORIE platform, dedicated to infrastructure and environmental management.
This platform gives infrastructure managers access to:
- Cartographic visualizations
- Technical reports
- Infrastructure monitoring tools
- Sampling data
- Decision-support information
As a result, operators can better understand pavement conditions and make faster, more efficient decisions regarding future road works.
Qualified Teams and Strict Safety Procedures
In compliance with current regulations, our technicians are trained in asbestos risk management under SS4 procedures.
Furthermore, all interventions are carried out according to strict operating procedures validated by occupational medicine. These measures ensure reliable testing conditions and high safety standards during sampling operations.
With 15 sites across France, NextRoad can respond quickly to infrastructure managers and project owners nationwide.
Supporting Safer Infrastructure Projects
Reliable asbestos and PAH testing is essential for safer, more efficient, and more sustainable road infrastructure projects. â
By identifying hazardous materials early, infrastructure managers can improve project planning, reduce risks, and better protect workers during construction operations.
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