Asbestos Removal

Asbestos has been sprayed in buildings for acoustic (noise-proofing) and decorative purposes since the 1940's. By the late 1950's, it became virtually standard practice for all large multi-storey buildings, and many hospitals and schools, to have asbestos sprayed on their steel girders for fire-proofing. As a result many workers and even children in schools can be at risk from exposure to asbestos insulation in buildings.

As awareness increases about the serious health effects of asbestos, it has become evident that this widespread use of asbestos in buildings is an enormous problem. For example, sprayed asbestos will deteriorate over time, and if uncontrolled will crumble and send fibres into the air where they could be breathed in by people in the surrounding area and even circulated around a building by air conditioning systems. The demolition of buildings with asbestos insulation or lagging has the potential for the release of massive amounts of asbestos fibre unless stringent precautions are taken.

What to do about asbestos in buildings

In Australia and overseas, there has been much controversy over what should be done about asbestos in buildings. There are basically four options:

Label it
Leave the asbestos intact (but labelled) if it is in good condition, unlikely to be disturbed and unable to feed fibres into workers' breathing zones.

Enclose it
Enclose the asbestos so that disturbance of the asbestos material and entry into the enclosure is not possible.

Seal it
Encapsulate (or deep seal) the asbestos, if it is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed.

Remove it
Remove the asbestos if its surface is damaged or crumbling, or it is likely to be disturbed. for example by maintenance work.

Removal of asbestos obviously eliminates the hazard forever - provided it is done with the best control procedures, with competent removal experts, good supervision and a well informed workforce. But often this is not the case in practice.

Safe Working Methods

Prior to any work commencing, a risk assessment should be carried out in consultation with employees. A safe work procedure should then be devised that minimises the release of dust and fibres and avoids exposure. Work involving friable (crumbles easily) asbestos is considered to present the greatest risk of exposure to air-borne fibres. Bonded asbestos is unlikely to release airborne fibres unless it is damaged or disturbed.

Specific safety precautions for work involving asbestos are:

1. Wear protective clothing and an approved respirator (see personal protective equipment). Disposable coveralls are recommended.
   
   
2. Use non-powered hand tools as these generate less dust. Do not use sanders on asbestos-cement products.
   
   
3. If possible, wet down material to reduce the release of dust or use vacuum attachments fitted with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.
   
   
4. Work in well-ventilated areas if possible.
   
   
5. Use drop sheets to collect debris.
   
   
6. Dispose of smaller asbestos pieces and collected dust in plastic bags, which are clearly labelled "asbestos waste".

Removal of asbestos

Removal of friable asbestos-containing material, or bonded asbestos that is damaged or more than 200 square metres in area, must be carried out by licensed operators in accordance with the National Occupational Health & Safety Commission's Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos. A permit must also be obtained from WorkCover before commencing any work. All asbestos removal companies must be registered under relevant State or Territory legislation.

The following safety measures are required:

1. For external work, close all windows and doors on the building.
   
   
2. Use warning signs and barriers when removing asbestos cement materials.
   
   
3. If practical, seal asbestos-cement sheets with PVA paint or wet with water.
   
   
4. Wear coveralls and an approved respirator (see personal protective equipment,below).
   
   
5. Wet clean gutters and collect material for waste disposal.
   
   
6. Remove asbestos sheets with minimal breakage and lower asbestos sheets to the ground; do not drop them.
   
   
7. Stack removed asbestos sheets on polythene sheeting, wrap and seal for disposal.
   
   
8. Do not leave asbestos sheets on site where they may break or be crushed.
   
   
9. Do not skid or drag asbestos sheets over other sheets - this can release asbestos fibres.
   
   
10. Clean asbestos-cement residues with an approved vacuum cleaner.
    
    
11. Keep waste containing asbestos wet or wrapped in polythene and remove from site as soon as practical.
    
    
12. Place used disposable coveralls, masks and filters with other asbestos waste in bags for removal.

Waste Handling and Disposal

Contact the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) or local council for waste disposal requirements and approved waste facilities. All waste containing asbestos must be:

• Kept damp (prevent excess runoff water).
  
  
• Collected, labelled and sealed using plastic or leak-proof containers.
  
  
• Stored at a secure site in labelled, lined bins or a leak-proof container.
  
  
• Removed from the site as soon as practicable and/or collected and stored in a manner approved by the EPA or an appropriate disposal authority.
  
  
• Transported in a covered leak-proof vehicle or a manner approved by the EPA.
  
  
• Disposed of in a manner and at a site approved by the EPA or an appropriate disposal authority.
  
  
• Vehicles must be cleaned before leaving the landfill site.

Personal Protective Equipment

Proper personal protective equipment is essential when working in asbestos environments. Employers should provide sufficient and clean protective clothing and respirators to workers prior to any work which involves exposure to asbestos. A Personal Protective Equipment Program must be included in the employer's OHS management system.

Personal protection measures for workers include:

Respiratory protective equipment

Work Procedure	Approved Respirator
Asbestos stripping work.	Positive pressure full facepiece airline respirator OR a continuous flow airline respirator with a full facepiece or hood.
Work in areas with poor accessibility where airline respirators cannot be used and/or supervisory work in general.	Powered type particulate respirator fitted with a P3 filter which has a rated protection factor equal to or greater than 100.
Removal of pipe lagging or other small jobs, which take less than 4 hours (eg bagging for asbestos). Inspecting work in progress, or for supervisory work in areas where there is only minimal exposure.	Powered type particulate respirator fitted with a P2 or P3 filter which has a rated protection factor equal to or greater than 50. OR a full facepiece respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter (non-powered).
Inspecting areas with asbestos where work is not in progress. Work with asbestos-cement sheets (fibro).	Half facepiece disposable or filter type particulate respirator - Class P1 or P2.

It is important to know how to use the equipment properly - how to check that it fits, when to wear it and how to keep it clean and free from asbestos dust. Also workers should know who is responsible for maintaining protective equipment, changing the filter and storing it to keep it clean when not in use.

Personal Protective Clothing

Personal protective clothing given to asbestos workers should include coveralls, head coverings, overboots and gloves.

• Disposable coveralls: A polyester/cotton mix may prove more suitable in warm environment.
  
  
• Re-usable protective clothing: After use, clothing must be vacuumed, placed in approved "Asbestos" bags, and taken to an industrial laundry with facilities for asbestos decontamination.
  
  
• Dusty protective clothing can spread asbestos. Employees should not try to clean dust off by beating it with hands or using a brush or air-hose to blow it away. An industrial vacuum cleaner can help remove dust from protective clothes.
  
  
• Asbestos workers must not take work clothes home to ensure that family members are not exposed to asbestos dust from clothing.
  
  
• Workers should not wash protective clothing themselves. This clothing requires special laundering to ensure asbestos decontamination.
  
  
• Employers should provide a clean area for employees to change and store their own clothes separate from the place for storing protective clothing.
  
  
• Showers and washbasins must be provided for workers to wash before putting on their own clothes to go home.

Personal Hygiene

Workers should not eat or drink in an area that may be contaminated with asbestos dust. A rest area away from the work area should be provided. Workers should go there for meal breaks and remember to wash their hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking. The rest area should be kept clean by not wearing protective clothing from the asbestos area.