What Is Necessary For Safe Asbestos Roof Removal?

The Australian Work Health and Safety Act provides clear requirements for safe asbestos roof removal. These requirements apply whether you're undertaking a minor project that doesn't require a license, or a more extensive one that needs either a class A or B license. Simply by complying with these requirements, professional asbestos removal companies would ensure safety of all workers, house occupants, neighbors and even the environment.

General Precautions

Generally, all asbestos removal projects (includes bathroom asbestos removal and asbestos roof removal) would involve the following precautions:

- Ensuring that the area where workers are located is well-ventilated. Proper ventilation reduces the risk of inhaling air-borne asbestos particles.

- All workers must be provided with disposable hats, gloves and overalls. This will shield their clothes and bodies from contact with asbestos containing dust or debris. All clothing will eventually be disposed off, along with other contaminated items.

- Respirators that comply with the Australian/ New Zealans standard 1716 must be availed to all workers. This should be either a half-face particulate respirator or half-face filter respirator that is disposable. The dust/ particulate cartridge fitted onto a respirator must be appropriate to asbestos, which isn't the case with ordinary dust masks.

- You should initially wet the asbestos surface to prevent dust particles from dispersing into the air. Despite having appropriate respirators, this additional measure will further protect the health of workers, as well as people in the vicinity.

- Plastic drop sheets should be placed around the area. Doing this will prevent the risk of any debris being left behind after the project is completed.

- As much as possible, only hand tools should be used. Using of power tools in sawing, grinding, drilling or breaking non-friable products (solid asbestos materials) can lead to greater dispersal of asbestos dust particles into the air.

- Even while using hand tools, a lot of care must be taken. Such operations as pulling out nails and pulling out pieces must be handled carefully and gently.

- It's important that non-friable products are kept intact throughout the process. Breaking these solid pieces could disperse harmful dust particles into the air.

- Gentle handling of all materials should be the norm in all removal projects. Due to the potentially harmful mineral contained in such materials, workers should avoid mishandling by knocking them against each other or dropping them carelessly on the ground.

- High-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filters should be fitted onto vacuum cleaners that are specially designed for collection of asbestos fiber. This HEPA filter should conform to the Australian Standard 4260. After vacuuming, all waste must be bagged, sealed and disposed in approved disposal facilities.

- Although not recommended, sweeping may be required in some instances. In such cases, only a wet mop should be used to avoid dispersing dust into the air.

- Even if all workers would wear full-body protective clothing, they still need to wash their hands and shower after the asbestos removal project.

By observing these precautions, the asbestos removal process would be quite safe, whether it's just a minor project or a major overhaul.


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Wade Rogers shares the most critical information that all homeowners need to know concerning asbestos removal. These useful tips will help safeguard your health and that of your family. Asbestos Removal Sydney will provide you with the best professional service. Visit http://asbestosremovalsydneywide.com.au/ for more information.