When it comes to the removal, or abatement, of asbestos there are strict guidelines that must be followed. As it is very well established that asbestos is an extremely dangerous mineral these laws and regulations of asbestos removal are important for all parties involved; the property owners, the contractors, any tenants, and additionally any workers that may be near the area that poses an asbestos risk.

ALARA Principle

The As Low as Reasonably Allowable (ALARA) principle applies to all workers who will be dealing with asbestos removal – all exposure must be minimized as much as is possible. Even though there are regulations in effect that governs and expresses a limit of exposure, all employers must go beyond this regulation and strive to reduce exposure to an absolute minimum.

Avoiding Heat Stress

One aspect of asbestos removal includes wearing very closely fitting protective body garments. These garments do not allow for much in the way of ventilation, as they are primarily meant to protect the individual from exposure. However, this protective clothing can trap heat inside creating a potentially dangerous environment in already hot circumstances. When the body cannot shed heat faster than it is accumulating the conditions for heat stress are very high. It’s critical that employers must assess the risk associated with workers being exposed to conditions that might exceed heat action levels or the clothing correction values. Employers must implement an exposure control plan that takes into account the safety of their workers.

Testing Safety Equipment

Before exposure to hazardous conditions all safety equipment must be inspected and in working order. HEPA filters in all vacuum or negative air systems likewise must be tested and fully functional. In the case of air pressure systems the usage of chemicals such as DOP or PAO are common to determine the effectiveness of the seal and enclosure setup.

Record Keeping Procedures

Like all jobs there is paperwork involved in the removal of asbestos, employers need to keep records of the asbestos inventory, risk assessments, and air-monitoring results for a period of 10 years. Additionally, employers must keep track of Notices of Project (NOPs), corrective actions, and training and instruction of all workers for a minimum of three years. It is advised however that employers keep records for as long as the company exists.

Everything Must Be Labeled and Easily Identifiable

It’s important for employers to ensure that all locations of asbestos materials are clearly identified, this means bagged asbestos as well. It’s also important that all employees, even low-risk workers, have a clear understanding and have been giving appropriate instruction as to workplace procedures and restrictions so that they can minimize their risk of exposure.

There are quite a few laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos abatement, please consult your local municipality for further information and to find information that is relevant to your locality. Always remember that asbestos is very dangerous and should only be handled by experienced, qualified professionals.