Safety Measures For Asbestos RemovalThe term asbestos was coined by the Greeks, which literally means inextinguishable. The Greeks were the first ones to have used asbestos. Being a mineral fiber, asbestos was used extensively, for industrial as well as domestic purposes. Over the centuries, researchers looked out for new ways to use asbestos. They utilized asbestos as a material in flooring and roofing because asbestos is highly resistant to fire. But as time passed and the researches went on, it soon became evident that asbestos has a hazardous nature. It came to notice that inhalation of asbestos can cause lung diseases, such as lung cancer, asbestosis, which can be life threatening. Asbestos removal therefore became essential to avoid such after effects. It is essential to remove, friable material containing asbestos, damaged material having asbestos that is bonded, by licensed operators under the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos with the National Occupational Health & Safety Commission. The operator must also obtain a permit from the WorkCover before they commence any work of removing asbestos. The companies must also be registered under their respective State or Territory legislation.
There are a few safety measures that are required to be taken while asbestos removal takes place. Here are some: 1.Before external work is started, all the doors and windows of the building should be closed. 2.Warning barriers and signs must be put up while the removal of asbestos cement materials is going on. 3.Coveralls and a respirator which has been approved, must be worn. 4.Dispose these used coveralls, filters and masks in bags, with the other waste of asbestos, for removal. 5. Avoid leaving sheets of asbestos on the work sites as they might get crushed or break. 6. Try wetting the asbestos cement sheets with water or seal them with PVA paint, if possible. 7. Clean the gutters by wetting, and accumulate the waste material for disposal. 8. Avoid dragging or skidding the sheets of asbestos against each other as they might release fibers of asbestos. 9. Do not drop the asbestos sheets on the ground as this could cause the release the fibers. Try removing the sheets while lowering them to the level of the ground, for minimal breakage. 10. Use an approved vacuum cleaner to clean the residues of asbestos cement. 11.Make use of polythene sheeting to stack remove sheets of asbestos. Then wrap and seal for disposing. 12. The waste asbestos should be kept wrapped in polythene or wet, and should be removed from the work site as soon as possible. A great deal of precautions are required for asbestos removal. Thus, it is important that the work must be done by professionals. |