If you intend to remove asbestos yourself rather than employ a qualified tradesperson, there are some factors to take into account that will be critical to you or your workers health and wellbeing in years to come.
All owners, Body Corporates and persons in control of businesses or undertakings have obligations under the Work Health & Safety Act when dealing with asbestos.
Seymour Consultants can conduct an asbestos audit on your property to ensure your property complies with current legislation. We can provide a customised solution for your situation to ensure you comply with the relevant national codes before you undertake any asbestos removal works.
If you do intend to proceed with asbestos removal yourself, here, we share some tips of what to do and what not to do when it comes to handling asbestos.
DO
Wear full body, disposable protective clothing with gloves, shoe protection, safety glasses and a respirator
Inform neighbouring properties of asbestos work
Erect signs signalling asbestos work in progress and barriers if necessary
Isolate the area from rest of the building
Keep any unnecessary people or pets away
Work in a well ventilated area
Cover the floor with heavy duty plastic sheeting
Hose down or keep wet the asbestos material to prevent fibres becoming air borne
Use heavy industrial plastic to store the removed asbestos materials on outside
Carefully remove asbestos sheets to prevent breakage
Where possible do not cut asbestos sheets
Use hand powered tools if possible to reduce asbestos dust and fibres
With protective clothing and respirator still on, double package up removed asbestos sheets in the heavy duty plastic and sell well with tape
When finished, thoroughly clean work area, tools and equipment
Use wet rags and mops to clean up asbestos fibres or dust from the floor
Carefully remove and dispose of asbestos suit, gloves, shoe protection safety glasses, rags and mops into a double bag and seal securely.
Remove respirator and double bag and seal
Immediately shower to remove any asbestos fibres
DON’T
Work with asbestos on a windy day
Take off your protective clothing, gloves, shoes protection, safety glasses or respirator until you have completely finished the job
Use high pressure water equipment, it may spread asbestos fibres and dust
Break asbestos sheets
Walk on asbestos roofs
Walk through unprotected areas of the building
Allow unnecessary or unprotected people or pets on the job site
Clean the work area using the househould vacuum cleaner
Dispose of asbestos irresponsibly. Take to an asbestos treatment facility
Reuse asbestos
Dump at tips or transfer stations
Keep or attempt to recycle any of the protective clothing or respirator
Reuse floor protection
Asbestos can be extremely dangerous if not handled with respect. To avoid you or your workers contracting a potentially fatal disease, Seymour Consultants always recommend you engage an Asbestos Auditing Specialist.
Call us 07 5573 4011 if you would like some advice on asbestos auditing for your QLD or NSW property or to book our services.
