Common Asbestos Containment Methods During the Removal Process
Posted on: 3 January 2022
Although asbestos is still present in some old Australian facilities, most property owners opt for removal rather than management. Although proper asbestos management can help contain the material and ensure the safety of occupants, removal is the only sure way of achieving complete protection. Notably, service providers must take specific steps during asbestos removal to contain the fibres in a facility. This article highlights the most common containment methods used during asbestos removal. Read on.
Encapsulating ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials) — Encapsulation is a standard asbestos containment method used by abatement companies during removal contracts. As abatement companies handle ACMs, fibres can disintegrate and become airborne. Unfortunately, airborne asbestos fibres can easily get inside vents and cause health complications. Therefore, asbestos operatives prefer to encapsulate ACM before the active removal process. The task involves the application of a sealant to ACM using a brush. The sealant is then allowed to dry and form a rubber-like material around the ACM. Thus, it enables service providers to handle the ACMs without fragmenting asbestos fibres.
Spraying Dust Suppressant Liquids — Another technique used to contain asbestos involves spraying the air inside an enclosure with dust suppressant liquids. Ordinarily, asbestos fibres resemble dust particles, making them easy to inhale. It is why asbestos operatives should wear approved PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) before entering an asbestos abatement enclosure. Besides PPEs, service providers should try their best to prevent asbestos dust fibres from rising past the protection limits of a respirator. When asbestos fibres float past the set limit, they become easy to inhale, even with a breathing respirator. Spraying the air with dust suppressants keeps asbestos fibres as close to the ground as possible, preventing the potential of inhaling them in case of a mishap.
Double-Bagging ACMs — Once asbestos operatives have removed ACMs, they do not just place them on the floor. They immediately placed ACMs in unique asbestos waste bags, which are bagged again in a transparent package. Double bagging helps contain asbestos fibres and ACM until they are ready to be transported to a registered disposal site. The outer bag must be transparent so that service providers can quickly establish whether the inner waste bags have been breached. Besides, the first waste bag must be dusted inside a bag lock section before double bagging. Most importantly, it prevents the transfer of asbestos fibres to the different parts of an enclosure.
For more information, contact a local removal company.
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