Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) pose a significant health risk to building occupants. Unfortunately, some property owners forego asbestos removal. This predisposes building occupants to health conditions like mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. If this happens, occupants could sue the building owner for negligence. So, how do you remove asbestos on your premises? Below are some asbestos removal best practices.
Hire An Experienced Asbestos Removal Company
It is usual to consider DIY hacks when conducting building improvement projects. However, given that asbestos is highly toxic, you should avoid DIY hacks when removing asbestos. Moreover, the Australian government has strict asbestos removal regulations. Therefore, you risk legal problems if you flout the regulations.
Conduct background research on your preferred asbestos removal company to determine the following.
- Does the company have valid permits to remove friable and non-friable asbestos in your state?
- What kind of training do the company's employees have? This guarantees they can safely handle asbestos. How soon can the company commence asbestos removal work? This is a vital concern if you intend to resume operations within a few days.
- How much does the company charge to remove the asbestos? Insist on a comprehensive quote.
- Does the asbestos abatement company have adequate insurance? This prevents you from bearing liability if an accident occurs during asbestos removal.
Ask For An Asbestos Inspection
An inspection is a critical aspect of the asbestos removal process. Typically, the removal company inspects your property to establish the type, volume and location of asbestos-containing materials. The professional then prepares a report detailing their findings and recommendations. For instance, they could propose the removal of friable asbestos since it could degrade and release harmful fibres. The document also details how to prevent asbestos contamination. For instance, it could propose that you halt building improvement projects until you remove all ACMs.
Observe Safety During Asbestos Removal And Disposal
Ask the asbestos removal company about its safety protocols when removing and handling the ACMs. For instance, the company could ask occupants to vacate the property when removing the ACMs. Moreover, it could move house fixtures such as furniture to ensure they do not contain asbestos fibres after removal. As a best practice, the company should provide the removal crew with safety gear such as goggles, overalls, gloves and boots. The removal crew should not break the ACMs during removal. Moreover, they should dispose of the ACMs in appropriate landfills.
Contact a professional for more information about asbestos removal.
