If asbestos is not disturbed, it can pose little risk. However, renovations and repairs can aggravate it; if this is not done correctly, it can cause dangerous diseases.

Hiring a licensed asbestos removal professional to minimise health risks and comply with work health safety regulations is essential. Using an unlicensed professional can result in fines. For an emergency asbestos removal Adelaide, click here.

Identifying Asbestos

Identifying asbestos is a crucial step to keeping yourself safe from exposure. Often, homeowners find asbestos in their homes as walls, floors, ceiling tiles, insulation, and items like water tanks. Knowing how to recognise this material will allow you to find it and call a licensed asbestos abatement professional.

It is impossible to tell if a product contains asbestos just by looking at it. Only laboratory testing of a sample can confirm the presence of asbestos. A competent person, such as a professional occupational hygienist or an accredited asbestos laboratory, should collect these samples.

It is recommended that a visual inspection is conducted before any work is done in the area. Those working in the affected area should wear disposable coveralls, gloves, goggles and respirators. These should be kept until the site has been inspected and declared safe by an independent asbestos air monitor. This will usually take about ten minutes.

Damaged Asbestos

Although undamaged asbestos material poses little risk, checking regularly for damage and limiting access to affected areas is essential. If you plan any work or maintenance that may disturb the asbestos, have an industrial hygiene firm inspect it. They can check air quality, restrict access, and contain the area more effectively than you can. For an emergency asbestos removal Adelaide, click here.

All workers must use personal protective equipment. This includes a respirator or dust mask with two straps to hold it securely around the face, disposable overalls, gloves and safety glasses or goggles. Workers must also dampen any debris with a spray pump pack. This reduces dust as it floats and makes it easier to remove.

Do not dust, sweep or vacuum any debris that may contain asbestos. Dry sweeping stirs up and releases asbestos fibres into the air. Do not saw, sand, scrape or drill asbestos. If the damaged material is extensive, or if you are uncertain, have it removed by trained asbestos removal contractors.

Repairing Asbestos

Removing asbestos-containing material is a significant job requiring trained and licensed professionals. It is a hazardous and expensive process. It involves cleaning up, sealing off areas to prevent contamination and putting on protective clothing, including respirators. Renovation and construction work commence only when the site has been inspected and declared safe by an independent air monitor.

EHOs and removalists have reported seeing friable asbestos in schools, prisons, warehouses, and other Government buildings. The most common cause of this was the weathering of asbestos products. The salt and ocean breezes corrode the materials, causing them to become friable.

Before removing any asbestos materials, wet the surface of the products by spraying them with water using a hand-held spray bottle. This is to help the fibres stay damp and not float in the air, making removing them more accessible. Before leaving the work area, re-wet any debris on your clothes and tools while still standing on the entrance/exit “transition area” plastic. Then, put on new coveralls and gloves, and double bag the used disposable coveralls and gloves in unique asbestos waste disposal bags. For an emergency asbestos removal Adelaide, click here.

Removal of Asbestos

The best and safest way to remove asbestos is to hire a professional. It’s essential to check the professional’s credentials and experience. They should also have appropriate licences and insurance. They should also have a clean track record and provide references from previous clients. It’s also essential to ensure that professionals are adequately trained and have the proper equipment to work in contaminated areas.

They should wear air-supplied respirators (friable) with a fit test, disposable coveralls with fitted hoods, rubber gloves, gumboots, and eye protection. The materials should be wetted before removal and double-bagged in 6-millimeter plastic bags. The waste should be enclosed in a leak-proof container and sealed.

The removal area should be sealed off from the rest of the home to prevent dust contaminating other rooms. Keeping family members and pets away from the site is essential until the work is finished. You should also ensure that the work area is well-ventilated and that any power tools are used in a controlled environment.