Safe work practices with Asbestos

Author: Chris Jo

Asbestos was considered as a magical mineral and also it is hundred percent natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Asbestos materials have been used for thousands of years, but the dangers of asbestos were not widely known until the 20th century. There are living examples which proved that regular exposure of asbestos is really harmful to human being. Exposure to asbestos from the workplace or from their own houses which has caused serious illness in many people, including the very militant type of cancer called mesothelioma. Many people who were exposed at work without understanding the risks of inhaling in asbestos fibers later had to deal with very poor health and a shortened life. Each and everyone who works in a construction site which contains asbestos needs suitable work procedures for the removal, enclosure, and encapsulation of friable asbestos materials.

The main types of Asbestos Recognized by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

  • Serpentine asbestos: Chrysotile

  • Amphibole asbestos: Crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, actinolite

Asbestos awareness training is vital to those who handle or work with asbestos-containing materials. We all know that asbestos has been used in products, such as insulation for pipes (steam lines for example), floor tiles, building materials, and in-vehicle brakes and clutches. The minerals in the asbestos have been chemically treated or altered under some conditions. Massive exposures lead to occur in the construction industry and repairing in the ship, and also especially during the removal of asbestos materials due to renovation, rehabilitation, or demolition of the old houses or building which contains asbestos.

The Asbestos awareness and the proper training which can help an employee to understand and deals with asbestos safely without further asbestos exposure.

  • The main regulation requirements

  • Who is qualified to deal with asbestos

  • Asbestos inventory

  • Inspection and testing of equipment

  • Record keeping

  • Notice of project (NOP) for asbestos

  • Monitoring the work environment

An asbestos awareness program is necessary when someone handles or use asbestos-containing material for official purpose or for household purpose. The main and important goal of asbestos awareness is to prevent or reduce the release of airborne asbestos fibers. The employer must make sure that the perfect asbestos abatement plan is developed and implemented according to the requirements for their local government regulations.

  • Containment of asbestos operations.

  • Controlling the release of asbestos fibers.

  • The engineering restrictions, work methods, cleanliness practices in the workplace, and facilities necessary to control the exposure to asbestos.

  • Providing every worker with task-specific work directions that approach both the hazards and the necessary controls during asbestos exposure.

  • Providing and maintaining appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing.

  • Control the concentration of airborne asbestos and the exposure.

  • The methods needed to purify workers clothes, etc.

  • The removal of asbestos waste and related material.

Asbestos is an incredibly dangerous material which can cause serious ill-health to anyone who disturbs it. For this reason, anyone who is likely to disturb asbestos in their work or in the home must have a proper asbestos awareness of the health and safety procedures to follow.

Asbestos Awareness Training is important to all those who are under exposure of asbestos and it’s materials. Proper procedures should be always adapted to all those deal with asbestos at a workplace or at home. Training can help them to understand the hazardous nature of asbestos materials.