Tips to Ensure Safe DIY Removal of Non-Friable Asbestos From Your Home
Posted on: 14 October 2018
It is always best to you hire an asbestos removal professional when you need to remove asbestos from your abode. But if you only need to remove a small amount of firmly-bound asbestos that does not require you to obtain an asbestos removal permit, then you can take on the project yourself provided you take the necessary safety measures. Here are a number of effective safety practices to follow when removing non-friable asbestos from your house.
Protect yourself.
If you are going to be handling non-friable asbestos yourself, it is important that you avoid any form of exposure to the harmful substance. In this regard, you must wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE). Make sure you wear a disposable overall over your ordinary clothes, head covering (if your overall does not have a hood), and gloves to prevent airborne asbestos fibres from coming in contact with your skin. Wear a respirator mask suitable for the job to ensure you don't inhale asbestos fibres that may become suspended in the air as you work. Also, wear a pair of safety goggles to protect your eyes. For footwear, gumboots are preferred over laced boots because they are easier to clean and do not trap asbestos material.
Evacuate everyone from the job site.
Anyone who is not involved in the job and isn't wearing the appropriate PPE shouldn't be allowed to hang around the work area. This means that you should keep your family members and pets away from the job site until the area has been effectively cleaned up and is free of asbestos material.
Inform your neighbours about your removal.
If your immediate neighbours are going to be affected by your removal, it is important to let them know about it ahead of time. This way, they can plan to stay away the day you intend to perform the job. Keep in mind that you may have to clean up any messes that may extend to your neighbour's property.
Use water.
One of the effective ways to prevent firmly-bound asbestos from becoming airborne is to wet the work area with water. Don't blast the asbestos with a forceful stream of water. Instead, use a handheld water sprayer to lightly dampen the asbestos and suppress the dust.
Safe handling of asbestos should always be your top priority when you are removing asbestos from your home, so make sure you take the above-discussed safety practices seriously.
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