Hello World! Welcome Friends! It is essential to contact professionals for handling, disposing, and recycling asbestos if you are doing home renovations. You can know more about asbestos here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos. This is because if you do the job alone, you are putting yourself at risk from asbestos-related diseases like lung and mesothelioma cancer.
The risk is increasing every time you are exposing yourself to these silicate materials. Know that this is not hazardous if they remain a part of the building materials or undisturbed. But suppose you are demolishing a part of your property. In that case, you need to correctly point out and confirm the materials that contain asbestos to protect everyone, including the workers, from exposure.
Why It Is Important to Call the Contractors
Most of the contractors who are assigned to removing friable asbestos in Melbourne are required to have specific licenses. They should follow the strict Work Health and Safety Regulations, and they should wear safety gear before the job.
The pros will handle everything from the removal of wastes and the disposal. They are in charge of disposing of the waste from the renovation job so that it will not put the health of the public and other people at risk.
For the non-friable asbestos, homeowners are encouraged to engage with a company that offers asbestos removal services in Melbourne. If you are one of them, you can check here for more information about these companies. They will tell you what to do next, and they will be in charge of the overall work.
What to Do with Non-Friable Asbestos
- Close all the doors and windows to prevent the entry and exit of dust containing asbestos, especially if you are doing external work.
- It is important to wet the cement using water before the renovation and keep everything wet until they are put in a transportation package.
- Remove first the cement that only has minimal breakage.
- Any cement parts should be lowered carefully, and they should not be dropped abruptly on the ground.
- Wear particle masks, approved respirators, and coveralls that are suitable for large-scale work.
- Don’t use any power tools during the removal process except when you remove or fasten the screws.
- It is recommended to wrap the asbestos in a >200 microns thick plastic and seal it with duct tape. The sealed packages should be manageable for easier transportation, and it’s important to place the asbestos in plastic bins that are EPA-licensed.
- Packages should be carefully labeled to identify their contents easily.
- Transport should be done quickly to the nearest EPA-approved landfill and waste transfer stations.
- It is highly recommended to contact the local waste depot about the costs of receiving the sealed plastic bags.
Handling and Disposal
It is important to keep in mind that you should never do everything by yourself. It has been known that asbestos can be a deadly carcinogen, and it should only be handled by professionals who are experienced in asbestos abatement. It is also essential to leave the area alone before the demolition and don’t attempt to disturb them in any way.
If you find and suspect friable asbestos at home, carefully wet it with water to prevent the fibers from being released into the air. Get a licensed professional for better assessment as they are certified by the state laws regarding the disposal and abatement of hazardous materials. If you don’t call a pro, you may risk breaking the law and getting a serious fine. You are also exposing your body to hazardous materials that can get you sick.
The Regulations Involved in Handling and Disposal
Appropriate Planning of the Project
The pros assess the situation on-site, and they check the severity of this abatement project. This is important as the local government officials need to know more about the work that should be done because they will supply the necessary permits to start the work.
Preparation of the Rooms
The work area should be sealed everywhere, using plastic sheets. It is important that the air pressure units must prevent any contamination to the outside areas. Any surface that is excluded from the abatement process should be covered with plastic sheeting, and warning signs should be established to alert others that the project is ongoing. Read more about preparation of asbestos in air samples on the link provided.
Wearing Safety Gears
Wearing the right N-100 or P-100 respirator is essential as these protect the workers from asbestos that can go inside their mouths and noses. There’s also a need for covers that include the whole body, and protective gear should be in place before the work begins.
Safety Protocols Should Be Observed
Any heat, ventilation, and air conditioning system should be turned off to prevent the circulation of hazardous fibers. Most of the workers are required to use HEPA vacuums or wet wipes to clean and control the dust from immovable objects. The HEPA vacuums are useful after the abatement and disposal to clean the remaining areas.
Handling the Waste
All materials that contain asbestos should be wetted before the removal process. All the workers assigned to the job should have respirators, and they should be adequately protected against any contaminated materials.
Most of the waste that resulted from the project should be bagged into 6-mm enclosed plastic bags. There should be tight lids, proper labels, and safe containers that don’t have any risk of tearing while they are being transported to specialized landfills in Melbourne.
What Happens After an Improper Disposal?
Abatement projects that were executed improperly can result in serious penalties. There would be even a possibility of incarceration if the improper handling were directed to the authorities. The Environmental Protection Agency in Australia may require certain practices in terms of demolition and disposal. It is important to minimize the public and workers’ exposure as much as possible.
For homeowners, they may not be able to identify if a product contains asbestos or not at first glance. If their houses were constructed before the 90s, there’s a considerable likelihood that the flooring and roofing can contain harmful and toxic substances. It is best to identify first the products inside the house that may contain asbestos and have them tested for confirmation.
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