If it is identified that there is Asbestos in your building, for example from an Asbestos survey, then one option to enable the safe management of this material is Asbestos removal. So how is Asbestos removed? Again, a small disclaimer – Asbestos should only be removed by trained and professional Asbestos abatement companies that have the expertise and equipment to undertake the Asbestos removal. They should have the appropriate licenses from relevant regulatory authorities (e.g. Dubai Municipality (DM) and the Tadweer/Centre for Waste Management (CWM)), safe systems of work and insurances to cover their specialist Asbestos services. Asbestos waste should be disposed of in a hazardous landfill capable of receiving Asbestos waste, and the haulage of the waste should be carried out by a government licensed contractor. Asbestos removal and disposal should not be undertaken by untrained persons without previous experience, competency and specialist training – e.g. by a homeowner.
That said, there are elements and principles that apply to Asbestos removal that are helpful to those that are not directly involved in the works and could help protect you against Asbestos dangers.
Plan the Work
Before any Asbestos removal, a safe system of work should be created detailing the Asbestos removal procedure and all hazards that could be encountered during the works. Documents that are typically called method statements and risk assessments (or a ‘job safety analysis’) are drawn up, and cover how the work will be carried out, by whom, and what control measures will be in place to protect workers (and others) from potential harm. All hazards must be considered, not just the risk posed by the Asbestos, and works should not start until the risk from the works is of an acceptable level after the implementation of the control measures. Everyone on site should be aware of the contents of the method statement and risk assessment, and it is good practice to conduct a toolbox talk before the start of each shift. All documents should be in line within international best practice Asbestos guidance principles.
Type of Asbestos
The type of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) usually determines how the Asbestos should be removed. Broadly speaking ACMs can be separated in to two categories:
Friable ACMs - When dry a friable ACM can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
Non-Friable ACMs - When dry a non-friable ACM cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure
Friable Asbestos removal poses a greater risk, as the Asbestos material could create much higher levels of Asbestos fiber in the air. For this reason, it is likely that the area surrounding the friable Asbestos materials would be contained within an enclosure (containment/Asbestos tent). The containment typically constructed of thick gauge polythene sheeting will be made airtight using duct tape and expanding foam. To test that the area is airtight a smoke test will be conducted, and only once no visible smoke can be seen exiting the enclosure will the works be allowed to commence. Negative Pressure Units (NPUs) help to ensure the area is under negative pressure and the fibers cannot be released into the outer areas. Specialist vacuum cleaners can be used to clean up Asbestos waste and debris, and Decontamination Units (DCU) help to decontaminate workers after the end of each shift and upon completion of the works.
Non-friable ACMs don’t typically require containment, however the work area should be segregated so that only Asbestos removal workers are in the respirator zone.
Asbestos Removal Equipment
The following is a non-exhaustive list of Asbestos removal equipment that may be used during an abatement project:
H-Type vacuum cleaner (with specialist HEPA type filter) / H-type vacuum cleaner bags
Garden type sprayer containing wetting agent
Wet wipes/tac rags/disposable cleaning cloth
UN approved Asbestos waste sacks (450 gauge) – Red and Clear
Duct tape and expanding foam
Fireproof polythene sheeting (1000 gauge)
Various hand tools - adjustable wrench/spanner, screwdrivers, wire brushes, hammers, chisels, tin snips, bolt cutters, hand scrapers
Plastic bucket and sponges
Wetting agent/surfactant/PVA
Waste skip(s) for Asbestos waste
Timber framework, expanding foam
Encapsulating paint / concrete
Smoke test machine
Negative Pressure Unit (NPU) of appropriate size & NPU trunking
Decontamination Unit (DCU) of appropriate size (Mobile/Modular or vehicle type)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The following is non-exhaustive list of Personal and Respiratory Equipment (PPE and RPE) that may be used during an abatement project:
Hard hat
High visibility vest
Steel toed safety shoes/boots (lace less)
Protective eyewear
Ear protection (where necessary)
Coveralls - Specification – Category 3, Type 5
Disposable underwear,
Disposable towels,
FFP3 respirators (CE’-marked) – full face masks
FFP3 respirators (CE’-marked) – half face masks
Don’t Forget About the Other Hazards
It is common for Asbestos workers to injure themselves during Asbestos removal works, by hazards other than the Asbestos (for example through slips, trips, and falls, manual handling injuries – even heat stress). When wearing coveralls and face covering masks it is easy to make mistakes and not consider the other hazards that could affect your work. All hazards should be identified prior to starting work, these should be highlighted to workers, control measures must be put in place and the works should be undertaken slowly and safely so as not to end in injury.
Keep it Wet
Safe Asbestos removal requires dust suppression so that the spread of Asbestos fiber, and therefore potential exposure, is kept to the lowest level reasonably practicable. One of the best ways to do this is to wet the Asbestos material prior to removal. This could be through spraying the outer surfaces, dampening areas where the material may be broken, or injecting the material with liquid so that it permeates throughout before removal is undertaken. Certain Asbestos fibers (Blue and Brown) are hydrophobic, so adding a surfactant to water helps to bind the suppressant to the Asbestos material and using a fine mist spray is a very effective way of reducing airborne fiber concentrations. Water/fiber suppressant should only be used if it is safe to do so. If electrical equipment or cables are present, or super-heated surfaces then the use of water/fiber suppressant could create an additional risk that may be greater than if no liquids were used for the Asbestos removal.
Asbestos Waste and Disposal
Asbestos should always be double bagged, sealed and labelled. The waste should be bagged in thick gauge polythene sheeting, or Asbestos waste bags. Waste should be bagged in a red bag first and then a clear bag (so that it can be seen that the waste is double bagged). Double bagging keeps the Asbestos fiber from escaping if one of the bags bursts or is punctured, and the bags need to be on an appropriate thickness (1000 gauge) so that sharp pieces of, for example Asbestos cement, cannot cut the bags open. The bags should be sealed airtight with duct tape and warning signs in the appropriate language(s) should be placed on the waste. Asbestos waste should then be disposed of at a regulated facility capable of receiving and storing the Asbestos waste.
Final Thoughts
The factors listed above will help you to understand how Asbestos materials can safely be removed, however it is always preferable to engage a competent abatement contractor. This should be an organization or individual with the appropriate regulatory approval (e.g. Occupational Safety and Health Abu Dhabi (OSHAD) or DM registration) and qualifications. Certified Asbestos consultant(s) will have the competency, expertise and insurances for the works and will help you avoid, in the case of a company, any potential reputational risk.
If you have any Asbestos related concerns, contact us to see how Anthesis Consulting Middle East can help you:
Charles Faulkner (Head of Environment, Health and Safety and Asbestos Team Leader)
Phone: +971 (0) 50 5541 320
Email: asbestos@anthesisgroup.com