Understanding Asbestos Waste and the Guidelines for Safe Removal

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Asbestos is a mineral that has been used on both domestic and commercial applications for more than a century. Its versatility makes it an ideal insulation and fireproofing material particularly in the construction of ceilings and garages. This article looks at asbestos waste and how you can safely dispose of it without exposing you to harm.

Asbestos Waste

Asbestos materials can be categorised into two groups; friable and non-friable materials. Friable asbestos materials can be crumbled or reduced to powder by applying hand pressure when they are dry.  They are mainly used in industrial applications, including pipe lagging and in making asbestos ropes. Removal of friable asbestos waste can be done by a licensed friable asbestos removalist. Non-friable asbestos on the other hand refers to any material containing asbestos other than friable asbestos. As opposed to friable asbestos, this type of material cannot be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure. It's commonly used in the building and construction industry, particularly in making drainage pipes, floor tiles and flue pipes.  When exposed to fire, drilling, water blasting or hail, non-friable asbestos can become friable.

Removal of Asbestos Waste

Asbestos waste can cause lung diseases such as lung cancer and asbestosis hence must be handled well. In homes, handling of asbestos must be done carefully with the responsible person wearing disposable paper overalls and asbestos dust masks that have been approved by the respective health, safety and environment agency. Asbestos structures including garages should only be demolished when the weather is calm to avoid asbestos dust from spreading. The asbestos structure must first be dumped with water to lessen the possibility of airborne fibre being released as the work progresses.

Any dust around the area where asbestos works have been going on must be mopped up with a dump rag and never swept or vacuum-cleaned. This will prevent a further spread of dust.

Asbestos sheets must be wrapped carefully in plastic sheeting and sealed. The smaller pieces of broken asbestos should be put in a red sack and then into a clear sack. The dust sheets, clothing, and masks, including any other disposable item, must also be wrapped together. All this waste must be clearly labeled as asbestos waste.

As you wait for the final removal of the waste from your home, ensure you carefully put the waste in asbestos skip bins. These can be hired from private companies for the duration needed. Contact a rubbish removal company for more information.

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Hiring Cleaners and Creating Cleaning Schedules

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