Key Points To Remember Before Doing Asbestos Removal

Asbestos was widely used in building houses before the late 1900s; however, recent studies have shown that increased exposure to asbestos can lead to various health risks. Hence, there have been government guidelines to remove asbestos from houses and public buildings. While there are many asbestos removal contractors, some people still believe in doing it by themselves.

It is highly recommended to use such contractors to avoid further exposure to asbestos and the safe removal of the material without causing any more damage to the environment.

Before beginning the asbestos removal task, you should evaluate the scale and nature of the assignment, as well as your capacity to finish it. If possible, hire a professional who can work in this field beyond your abilities. If you attempt to try out DIY techniques, you may not get satisfactory work output after completeing the job.

Safety

Asbestos Removal

 

Given the health risks, if one is exposed, it is best to follow a safety protocol. The government has laid down certain dos and don’ts that have to be followed to ensure the worker's safety.  It is required that you wear Australian Standard approved Personal Protection Equipment or PPE uniforms to protect you from harmful material. Along with this, you also have to wear a respirator or dust-masks, a hat, gloves, safety goggles to protect your eyes, and disposable coverups. It is also advised that you do not eat, drink or smoke near the work area as this would expose you to asbestos.

Working with Asbestos

The safest way for asbestos removal without breaking it into smaller fragments is by not using power tools. Many government guidelines also specifically mention avoiding using power drills. The power drills will disturb the asbestos and release smaller fragments in the air, which can be fatal for your family and your neighbors.

It is illegal to use a water blast on asbestos cement sheets. If you have used a water blast by accident, it is recommended you call an asbestos removal contractor immediately to help you contain the situation. You should not make the mistake of drilling or cutting into the asbestos sheets as this would disturb the asbestos and release many more particles into the air. 

You should remove the sheet as a whole and not try to break or cut into it. It is also very essential to make sure during asbestos removal that you do not drop these sheets. You should place them safely on a plastic sheet and wrap them up for safe disposal. Instead of doing all this, you should slightly dampen the sheets with the help of a pump spray. This will help in keeping the dust down and will make the removal procedure easier.

Preparing the workstation

Asbestos Removal

 

It is important that you evacuate your houses and empty all belongings that may attract dust, such as your children's toys and your pet's toys. All furniture should also be removed from the house and sent for decontamination to provide more space to move around. As a responsible citizen, you must also inform your neighbours so that they can seal their doors shut and or leave the surrounding. It is required that you use 200mm thick plastic sheets on the ground both inside and outside the house. You should also seal shut all the doors and windows, and also cover the vents of your house before doing asbestos removal.

Final Words

These are just some important things that have to be taken care of when dealing with asbestos removal. You should also be sure to look at the guidelines provided by the government for removing asbestos. It is important to note that merely removing asbestos from your house is not enough, you also have to dispose of them off safely and correctly to minimize the damage. 

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