Asbestos Removal Procedures

What Takes Place During Asbestos Removal?

Before we talk about asbestos removal procedures, we must first understand what it is. Asbestos refers to a mineral fiber that you can only identify using its special microscope. Long time exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. This mostly happens in workplaces and shipyards. For the homeowners, exposing yourself to asbestos isn’t much of a health risk unless you disturb them to release fibers that you could inhale to the lungs. You can find asbestos in your home roofing and siding, especially if they are of asbestos cement. Let’s learn and understand the entire process of asbestos abatement straight from the experts of Pro Asbestos Removal Brisbane.

Before You Begin

First, ensure that the siding and roofing contain asbestos. You can confirm this by taking a small sample for testing in the laboratories. If it comes out positive, you must handle it accordingly to avoid breaking the fibers and releasing it to yourself and your family members. Remember, asbestos only becomes harmful if you release them to the air, so ask yourself if you want to remove it.

Caution

It is a legal requirement to hire the services of a certified asbestos abatement contractor to help you remove asbestos from your home, or if you can do it yourself, ensure you take the necessary measures before you start the work. Please note that the law forbids you to compel any member of your family to participate in the removal procedure unless they voluntarily agree.
You have to understand that the procedure is extremely dangerous as it is completely unavoidable to release some asbestos fibers into the air. The worst part of it all is that you can’t tell the safe levels of exposing yourself to asbestos.
Also, note that the work is physically demanding and difficult to handle as;

• It is not easy to breathe through a respirator
• May feel hot and uncomfortable in protective gear
• May experience reduced visibility using eye-protective
• Need to take extra caution using water over electrical power and wiring

Basic Asbestos Removal Procedures Rules

Protection

To embark on this journey, first, you must protect yourself from the dangers of asbestos by wearing the correct aspirator, disposal gloves, rubber boots, goggles, and disposal coveralls. Correctly dispose of all these protective gears once you complete the procedure.

Wetting

This is the most crucial part of the asbestos removal procedure. Thoroughly wet the surface before removal, during, and after you finish with water to remove all fibers.

You Must Contain Other Surfaces

Containment ensures you minimize the surfaces asbestos could migrate to during removal. Cover the surfaces with plastic sheets to capture all the released asbestos fibers that you will later package well for disposal.

Breakage

Try as much as possible to avoid breakage of roofing and siding during the removal process to keep asbestos fibers from getting into the air.

You will also require the following supplies and removal tools;

• Water sprayer to wet asbestos areas
• Garden hose to supply water
• Dishwashing detergent
• Pry bar used to lift nails
• Nail-puller
• Pair of scissors or knife
• Duct tape for sealing
• Polythene sheets
• Waste disposal bags for asbestos

Preparations

• Post warning signs that people can see to avoid walking into the working areas.
• Ensure you work in the shade to keep the areas wet at all times
• Come up with an entrance and exit ‘doors’ and keep a disposal bag near these points
• Hose down thoroughly
• Mix about a half cup of dishwashing detergent with water in the sprayer
• Properly wear your protective gears

Removing The Roofing And Siding

• To remove the pieces of these two surfaces, ensure you pull the nails to avoid breakage, or you could lift the pieces using the pry tool
• In case of any breakage, wet the place immediately
• Wet both sides of the pieces as you remove
• Lower these pieces carefully to the ground without breaking
• All debris should be wet and in plastic bags until you seal them for disposal

Cleaning

• Load all wet debris in containment boxes to be sealed with duct tape
• Double bag asbestos in disposal bags and seal
• Double wet the surfaces as you move to the entrance/exit doors

Decontamination Process

• While leaving the working area, stand on the last plastic sheet on the floor and spray yourself with water to get rid of any asbestos.
• Remove your protective gears and wash them up together with the tools
• Keep them in properly labeled disposal bags
• For any further cleaning, use wet rags, then take a shower

Disposal

• Remember, only the licensed disposal sites receive asbestos debris at a fee, and you must get a waste manifest before disposing of such wastes.
• At the back of every packaging, write your name, date of removal, and address. Transfer these bags in a covered vehicle to the disposal site.
• Disposal must happen within the forty-five days after removal; that’s a legal requirement

Conclusion

From the article, you can clearly see how demanding this procedure can be and how dangerous it is. That is why we suggest you reconsider doing it yourself. It is highly recommended to hire a certified asbestos abatement workers to do the task for you. Avoid risking your life and that of your loved ones.