Commonly Forgotten Steps during Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal is an intricate process that only experienced and qualified service providers should handle. Notably, asbestos is a dangerous material that can adversely affect one's health if the proper precautions are not taken. It is why asbestos removal technicians must undergo rigorous training to handle the dangerous material safely. Before the asbestos removal process begins, a crew must go through their strategy so that everyone is on the same page. However, some safety steps in the asbestos removal process are easy to forget despite their importance. This article highlights such steps.
Wetting Asbestos Material Before Bagging — When removing asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) from a building, it is advisable to soak them before bagging. Wetting asbestos reduces the chances of ACMs releasing fibres into the air during removal and disposal. Even when dealing with non-friable asbestos, it is still crucial to dampen the material before double bagging it. However, it is easy to forget wetting non-friable asbestos during the bagging stage. Unfortunately, it exposes asbestos removal crews to dangerous fibres should something happen to the double bag. Additionally, failure to wet non-friable asbestos exposes disposal bags' interior surface to asbestos fibres, which can easily be transferred outside. Therefore, always remember to dampen asbestos to keep the fibres in place during bagging.
Weigh Disposal Bags — Another easily forgotten step is weighing full asbestos disposal bags during the removal process. It might seem like a useless step, but it is a legal requirement for asbestos abatement companies to keep the weight of each disposal bag below 30kg. The weight restriction is critically important because it determines how easily a crew carries the bags from a building. If a full asbestos disposal bag weighs more than the recommended weight, removal staff will have difficulty carrying the sacks to a truck. Besides, an asbestos removal company risks being fined by the local council if disposal bags exceed 30kg.
Vacuuming Vents — A building with an air conditioning system has vents all over. Therefore, some airborne asbestos fibres might enter the vents when an asbestos abatement crew removes the plastic sheets used to seal a worksite. If you turn on an AC system immediately after asbestos removal, asbestos fibres trapped in vents are blown into various rooms. Consequently, occupants can inhale the fibres, unwittingly exposing themselves to asbestos-related health problems in the long run. Vacuuming AC vents before removing the protective plastic sheets from a worksite guarantees an asbestos-free building once an abatement crew is done with the removal process.
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