Asbestos is a dangerous substance to handle without proper training. If you need to remove asbestos, ensure it is done by a licensed removalist and taken to an approved landfill.
Telephone interviews were conducted with removalists and EHOs across rural and urban Australia. The questions asked focused on general impressions and future exposure risks.
Safety First
Generally, homeowners are not required to have a licence to remove asbestos-containing materials. However, knowing the risks involved when dealing with asbestos and contacting a licensed professional are essential. The main danger is the airborne particles that can be released when handling ACM. These fibres can get stuck in your lungs and cause severe conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. For professional mpaasbestosremoval.com.au asbestos removal Adelaide services, click here.
Asbestos cement in good condition poses minimal risk, but if disturbed, it can release tiny particles into the air. This can be from cutting, sanding, water blasting, or any other activity that can damage the material and release asbestos fibres into the air. Asbestos fibres are harmful when inhaled and can cause breathing problems, leading to mesothelioma – a rare form of cancer.
If you’re planning renovation or demolition work in your home and think there might be asbestos, contact a licensed professional for an inspection. A professional can also advise on whether encapsulation is a suitable option. This involves applying sealants that encircle the fibres and prevent them from getting into the air. It’s a less expensive alternative to removal, but it may not be suitable for all situations.
When you hire a builder or licensed asbestos removalist, your home becomes a workplace, and the work health and safety laws apply. These include taking proper precautions, such as working in a ventilated area. You must also ensure the asbestos is not contaminated during the process. You may also be required to arrange for air monitoring during the removal and have a clearance certificate from a certified, licensed assessor before you can reuse or occupy the space.
A licence is required if you’re removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. You should engage a licensed asbestos removalist, but if that isn’t possible, then a PCBU (person conducting business or undertaking) with a class B licence can do the work. They must enrol a nominated supervisor in a recognised training course and provide appropriate personal protective equipment. For professional mpaasbestosremoval.com.au asbestos removal Adelaide services, click here.
Friable Asbestos
Asbestos was once used extensively in Australia in various building and material applications. It has impressive qualities, including heat resistance, tensile strength, and chemical and fire resistance. While these properties make it a valuable ingredient in construction and manufacturing, it is highly hazardous to human health. Asbestos exposure can lead to numerous diseases and cancers, some of which, like mesothelioma, are fatal.
While most asbestos products are non-friable and pose less risk to humans when disturbed, brittle materials are more dangerous as they can release more airborne fibres. The difference between the two types is that non-friable materials are more securely bound, whereas friable products crumble easily under light pressure, such as crushing them in your hands.
The most common type of friable asbestos is found in insulation products. It can be found in commercial and government buildings and domestic properties where it is often found behind stoves, as electrical millboards and in the insulation around pipes. A Class A licensed removalist is required to remove this type of ACM.
Asbestos waste must be removed from the site and transported to a regional landfill by truck. The truck driver must be fully qualified to handle friable asbestos waste and follow strict transport and disposal requirements.
When completing the friable asbestos removal training course, you will learn to recognise, categorise and dispose of a range of asbestos-containing materials. You will be introduced to the three main types of asbestos – chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite. You will be shown how to identify these and their hazards in different conditions. You will also gain the skills to safely handle, move, and dispose of friable asbestos and understand the importance of a clean working environment. For professional mpaasbestosremoval.com.au asbestos removal Adelaide services, click here.