Safety Precautions For The Removal Of Asbestos

The best safety precaution you can take when removing asbestos is to hire trained professionals do the job. This can hardly be overstated; not only is asbestos a highly toxic and insidious substance (meaning fibers can enter the atmosphere and float around for months undetected), if you attempt removal on your own, you bear all legal liability. Not only have professional asbestos abatement workers been trained in the proper handling of asbestos, the company is also licensed, insured and bonded. If anything goes wrong, it is the insurance company that must ultimately cover any claims.

If the potential cost of professional asbestos abatement is a concern, consider the costs of treating a debilitating respiratory disease – not to mention the pain and suffering. You should also look at the declaration sheet of your homeowners policy or contact your insurance company; in some cases, some or all of such expenses may be covered, depending on when you purchased the house.

The following material is informational only – the owner of the website accepts no liability should you decide to undertake the job yourself.

Step One: Containment

The first thing that must happen is the construction of a proper containment area. This happens in the part of the house from which asbestos is to be removed. The procedure varies depending on where the asbestos is actually located, but involves covering non-contaminated surfaces with heavy sheets of polyethylene plastic, fastened with duct tape. If applied to the floor, this sheeting must be no less than 6 mil in thickness, and will need to be applied in two layers. For walls and ceilings, 3 mil is sufficient. The first layer is placed on the floor and attached to the walls; plastic sheets are then hung from the walls and/or ceiling except in the areas from which asbestos is to be removed. Finally, a second layer is placed loosely on the floor.

In addition, you will need to build an "airlock" at the entrance/exit of the room or space. In addition to hanging sheets of plastic on either side of the door frame (cutting vertical slits for entering and exiting), there will need to be flaps on each side, plus an outside compartment made from framing lumber and sheets of polyethylene. This will constitute the "airlock," where contaminated clothing and equipment is left and discarded.

It is important to keep everything wet using a water sprayer; this will keep asbestos fibers from becoming airborne.

Step Two: Protective Gear

At the minimum, you will need disposable coveralls (with built-in booties and hood), a half-face respirator with dual HEPA cartridges, vented, non-fogging goggles or other eye protection, several pairs of rubber gloves, soft, pull-on rubber boots so as not to tear the plastic sheeting protecting the floor.

Step Three: Disposal

Regulations in most states require that asbestos waste be disposed of in 6 mil plastic "zip-lock" type bags that are clearly marked as an asbestos hazard. These bags measure 30" by 50," and can be purchased at any store that specializes in industrial safety equipment. Once filled and "zipped," the top of the bags should be folded over and sealed again with duct tape.

You’ll need to call the department of environmental quality in your state to ascertain which landfills are authorized to take asbestos waste, under which conditions and what paperwork should be filed, if any.

'Safety Precautions For The Removal Of Asbestos' Sources:

  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Envornment. "Asbestos Compliance Assistance Group" (Official Website). http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ ap/asbestos/index.html. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
  • Olympic Region Clean Air Agency. "Asbestos Procedures For Homeowners" (2007).
  • Utah State Department of Air Quality. "Asbestos Removal Procedures for Home Owners." (State of Utah, 2007).