People have seen advertisements related to asbestos exposure and health risks. Careless handling of asbestos-contained materials puts people at risk. Asbestos in soil causes diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
Unfortunately, this dangerous material still exists. Diseases related to asbestos are treatable but incurable.
That is why strict regulations related to asbestos testing exist. These regulations help to prevent workers and the general public from asbestos exposure. Removing it from your facility is essential to maintaining health and safety.
If you suspect the presence of this poison here is everything you need to know about asbestos removal to prepare.
Handling and Disposing Of Asbestos Regulations
Before the removal process of asbestos removal, there are some guidelines that the asbestos consultant needs to follow. Here are the regulations that you should know before you start the process:
1. Planning The Project Appropriately
Licensed professionals know how to analyze the size and severity of the abatement project.
This matters a lot to local officials who supply allowance for different types of asbestos abatement projects.
2. Preparing The Work Area
The area where asbestos is present must be sealed off with plastic sheeting. Negative air pressure units need to be used to prevent contamination outside the work area.
Surfaces that do not need abating must be covered in plastic sheeting. Before starting the process warning signs must be posted to alert people that an asbestos project is going.
3. Wearing Personal Safety Protection
Workers must wear an N-100 or P-100 respirator and protective clothing to prevent asbestos exposure.
4. Safety Protocols in The Work Area
To prevent circulation of asbestos fibers HVAC systems must be disabled. Workers should use wet wipes or HEPA vacuum. This is to clean asbestos off immovable objects to control dust.
A HEPA vacuum is used to clean up the area after finishing of the abatement process.
5. Create Decontamination Units
Decontamination enclosure systems must be installed for workers. In that place, the workers will remove their contaminated
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Tools.
6. Following Decontamination Process
Asbestos consultants must follow specific steps to safely remove contaminated protective clothes and tools.
These processes ensure the safety of workers. It also prevents workers from tracking asbestos into their homes.
The Asbestos Removal Process
Professionals refer to asbestos removal as asbestos abatement. The goal is to remove the amount of the material to a manageable level.
The industrial hygienist aims to reduce its presence entirely. Read on to learn what a typical asbestos removal plan or process look like:
Step One: Inspection and Testing
Every asbestos removal process starts with asbestos testing. Your waste management professional will examine your facility and identify the hazardous environments.
Professionals likely take samples of various materials for testing.
Polarized Light Microscopy is a common testing method to find asbestos in building samples. They will also perform air-quality tests to locate microscopic fibres in an air system.
Step 2: Demarcation and Evacuation
Once the professionals validate the presence of asbestos they will draw up a detailed plan covering locations and timelines. After that, they will need your help evacuating staff members and clients from the building.
Next, professionals will mark all infected areas. Following this, the healthy areas will remain in good condition. Clear Demarcation provides abatement technicians with an efficient path to follow.
Step 3: Sealing the Work Area
Sealing the affected areas is one of the most important parts of the asbestos removal process. You do not want any fibres or particles contaminating clean areas of your building. Not only this will create more work but you risk leaving dangerous materials behind. This makes the entire process inefficient.
First of all, professionals will cut off your building’s HVAC System. This way dirty air would not circulate throughout the facility. After that, they will physically close off any sections that do not need work with tarps and heavy-duty adhesives.
Step 4: Material Elimination
Once your facility is secure your professionals can start the abatement process. If the asbestos contamination is not too severe they will coat the area with a caulking to prevent exposure.
Professionals must physically remove condensed asbestos from your building. Professionals will first wet the materials and cut them out using various tools.
Step 5: Storage and Removal
Because asbestos is highly toxic professionals cannot just store or dump it anywhere. They will bring durable and air-tight disposal and containers to remove the toxic minerals.
Waste management technicians will then take the asbestos to a certified landfill. Usually, dump sites will bury the materials in their containers for final disposal.
But some asbestos-infected materials are recyclable. High-heat treatment methods will transform asbestos into non-toxic ceramic fibres.
Step 6: Cleanup
The post-removal cleanup process is vast for a good reason. Asbestos fibres are microscopic and clearing contaminants is challenging once they are airborne.
Professionals use vacuums with HEPA filters to clear the environment.
Technicians use wet methods to wipe down
– Surfaces
– Ceilings
– Floors
– Equipment.
Professionals will also perform vast air and material testing to confirm asbestos levels are below OSHA regulations.
Wrapping Up
Keep in mind that asbestos abatement should only be done by an asbestos consultant with the necessary knowledge and equipment. It is not safe to attempt asbestos removal on your own. It requires specialized training and expertise. Hiring professionals is the best way to ensure removing asbestos in soil.
