Asbestos has been long used as an insulation, in roofing and other general building materials. In the 1970’s, it was discovered that prolonged inhalation of asbestos could have severe effects. The primary danger is asbestosis or lung cancer. The year of 1989 marked the beginning of the phasing out of all asbestos use in building. Asbestos Removal Safety is paramount as it can be extremely risky and requires an Asbestos removal license, so it is highly recommended that you contact an accredited professional. Appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must also be worn always. This includes approved disposable overalls, heavy duty over-boots, disposable latex gloves, clear safety glasses, and a half face mask kit. There may also be additional PPE that is required this is only a guide.
Asbestos Removal Safety
In today’s age, it is crucial that all individuals must carry out certain safety protocols and procedures when dealing with any contact or removal with asbestos. Initially the asbestos must be analysed and tested in depth to determine the level of danger and risk. Every element is crucial as the slightest error could cause the asbestos particles to becoming active.
The next crucial step is the compliant removal of Asbestos bonded product. This is regulated dependent upon whether the asbestos is located at a worksite or not. The requirement is that all potential asbestos materials must be wet down prior to transportation, this allows the asbestos particles to remain still and stagnant. These asbestos products are then packaged according to regulatory requirements. There are two forms of asbestos material which include bonded or friable asbestos material. The form of asbestos will depend upon how the asbestos is packaged or stored. Bonded asbestos materials will need to be packaged securely, whereas friable asbestos will need to be kept in a sealed container. The Asbestos materials will then need to be transported in a sealed, covered and leak-proof vehicle.
Safe Disposal
The following step is extremely crucial and includes the compliant disposal of asbestos based materials. The asbestos may be disposed of at an approved waste management facility, prior to this you must contact the waste facility or local council and determine whether this is an approved facility that can lawfully receive this asbestos based product. Improper disposal or dumping of asbestos is against the law and is prosecutable by law. If it is Friable or more than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos materials you wish to remove you must contact a licensed asbestos removal professional to carry out this procedure. About the House is a reputable company who provide this service for the Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle areas.
Legal Documentation
Lastly the appropriate regulatory documentation must be carried out when dealing with asbestos based materials. This documentation can be quite extensive which is another reason why it’s a clever idea to use a licensed asbestos removal professional as they can easily lodge all the necessary paperwork.
Following the removal of the asbestos materials and lodging of legal documents, there will be an inspection to determine whether the premises is now safe for use. The licensed contractor will undertake this assessment and let you know if it is safe or when it will be safe and give you a potential timeframe. These safety protocols and requirements all vary State to State so if unsure please contact your local council or state department. Once again is it highly recommended that you contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor when dealing with any asbestos related materials or if you have any questions.