Safety Precautions In Asbestos Soil Contamination

Asbestos cement materials that are undisturbed and in good condition do not present a health risk, since the asbestos fibres remain bound tightly as one solid material. However, it is when the material becomes damaged, starts crumbling, is disturbed by breaking, cutting, sanding or drilling , that the asbestos fibers get released into the open air and become a hazard since they can be inhaled.

Different States and Territories in Australia have developed their own guidelines with regard to management of asbestos products, materials and soils. For example, in New South Wales, guidance has been put together by the Heads of Asbestos Coordinating Authorities (HACA) providing general direction on the management and assessment of asbestos in the soil. The Environmental Protection Agency has been mandated under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 to regulate sites that have been significantly contaminated to justify regulation.

Friable Asbestos Products

Friable asbestos materials and products are normally fairly soft and loose. They could be easily crumbled into fine dust or material with extremely light pressure. Such products are hazardous because the fibres of asbestos can become airborne very easily, and consequently might get inhaled by those working or living within the vicinity. Such are what are typically found in asbestos contaminated soils.

Precautions While Working Outdoors

When working on an asbestos soil contamination project, inform all your immediate neighbours regarding the proposed work. Advise them to have their doors and windows closed during the period when work is getting done.

Have all your doors and windows closed, and cover the air vents to stop the fibres from getting into the building

Avoid getting the other soils and vegetation contaminated by covering them with some heavy-duty plastic sheets for catching any dust or debris.

Remove personal belongings, vehicles and play equipment from the work zone.

Keep the household members, pets plus visitors away until the job is finished using signs and barricades if necessary.

Precautions While Cleaning-up

Methodically clean the equipment and tools as soon as possible once the job is finished.

Double bag the waste material, have it sealed ready for the disposal.

Always keep the respirator on.

Precautions While Packaging And Disposing Asbestos

Keep the disposal materials wet until they are packaged

Vigilantly package all the material to be disposed in thick polythene sheeting

Clearly have the packages labeled as 'ASBESTOS WASTE'.

Soon after the packing, secure transport and have the bags disposed at the government or local authority designated hazardous waste disposal site. Your State or Territory Environment Protection Authority (EPA) ought to provide advice and guidance on this.

On the other hand, engage a qualified remover and have them do the disposing on your behalf.

Do not dispose asbestos waste materials in the normal garbage dump or even have it collected by your regular garbage collector.

In Australia, the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (CS Act) plus the allied Contaminated Sites Regulations 2006 which came into force in December 2006. This is the Act that offers the legal framework for assessing, reporting and management of all contaminated sites in the country. This Act is implemented by the Australian Department of Health.


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