Part VI – INFORMATION SHEETS

This section includes further guidance and information on the following:

Information sheet 1: Template of an asbestos register

Information sheet 2: Personal Protective Equipment

Information sheet 3: Preventing Asbestos Fibre Release – principles for the home

Information sheet 4: Cleaning gutters of asbestos roofs

Information sheet 5: Drilling into asbestos containing material

Information Sheet 1: Template of an asbestos register

Information Sheet 2: Personal Protective Equipment

This information sheet provides advice on what personal protective equipment (PPE) you will need to work with asbestos materials.

Before starting work, plan and prepare your decontamination area. Set up two separate areas: a clean area for getting dressed and a dirty area for when you exit the work area to decontaminate. Proper decontamination and disposal of PPE prevents taking fibres home on your clothing and exposing your family and friends. PPE that cannot be disposed of must be decontaminated and kept in a sealed container until it is reused for the purposes of asbestos-related work.

PPE will need to be used in combination with other effective control measures when working with asbestos (refer to Part IV). If work with asbestos requires the use of other chemicals that are also hazardous, then you should check the relevant safety data sheets for additional for information on appropriate PPE to use.

Coveralls

• Protective clothing should be made from material capable of providing adequate protection against fibre penetration.
• When selecting protective clothing, other hazards—including heat stress, fire and electrical hazards—should also be considered.
• Disposable coveralls with fitted hoods and cuffs should be worn. Coveralls with open pockets and/or velcro fastenings should not be used, because these features can be contaminated and are difficult to decontaminate. Fitted hoods should always be worn over the straps of respirators and loose cuffs should be sealed with tape. Disposable coveralls need to be of a suitable standard to prevent penetration of asbestos fibres so far as is practicable. Disposable coveralls rated type 5, category 3 (EN ISO 13982–1) or equivalent would meet this standard.
• To prevent asbestos fibres from being transported outside the asbestos work area, coveralls must be decontaminated. Depending on the level of contamination and risk, this may be done by thoroughly vacuuming the coveralls using a HEPA filtered H-Class industrial vacuum cleaner or by using a water spray bottle or damp cloths.
• Non-disposable coveralls are not recommended and would require specialist laundering if used. Any clothing worn under coveralls must be disposed of or suitably bagged for laundering as asbestos-contaminated clothing.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

• In general, the selection of suitable RPE depends on the nature of the asbestos work, the probable maximum concentrations of asbestos fibres that would be encountered in this work and any personal characteristics of the wearer that may affect the facial fit of the respirator (for example facial hair and glasses).
• RPE should always be worn under fitted hoods. Face pieces should be cleaned and disinfected.
• RPE should be worn until all contaminated disposable coveralls and clothing have been vacuum cleaned and/or removed and bagged for disposal and personal washing has been completed.

Footwear and gloves

• Laced boots should be avoided as they can be difficult to clean and asbestos dust can gather in the laces and eyelets. Laceless boots such as gumboots are preferred where practicable. If boot covers are worn, they should be of a type that has anti-slip soles to reduce the risk of slipping.
• Safety footwear must be decontaminated before being removed from the asbestos work area or sealed in double bags, the exterior of which is decontaminated, for use only on the next asbestos maintenance task. Alternatively, work boots that cannot be effectively decontaminated should be disposed of as asbestos waste at the end of the work.
• The use of protective gloves should be determined by a risk assessment. If significant amounts of asbestos fibres may be present, disposable gloves should be worn. Protective gloves can be unsuitable if dexterity is required.
• Personal decontamination including hand and fingernail washing should be carried out each time after leaving the asbestos work area and at the completion of asbestos maintenance and service work. Any gloves used must be disposed of as asbestos waste.

Laundering clothing

• Disposable coveralls should be used as protective clothing unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so.
• When non-disposable protective clothing is used, the contaminated clothing must be taken to a suitable laundering facility that is equipped to clean asbestos-contaminated clothing.
• Contaminated protective clothing should not be laundered in homes. Any clothing worn under coveralls must be disposed of or suitably bagged for laundering as asbestos-contaminated clothing. The contaminated clothing should be removed damp and thoroughly wet, then placed in impermeable containers or bags the outside of which are decontaminated and labelled to indicate the presence of asbestos before being sent to the commercial laundering facility

Information Sheet 3: Preventing Asbestos Fibre Release – Principles for the Home

1. Know where asbestos is in your home

• ASK an asbestos professional for advice and have a sample tested, or
• ASSUME the product contains asbestos and take the necessary precautions.

2. Check the condition of the asbestos material

Disturbance, damage and deterioration will cause asbestos fibres to be released and easy to inhale.

• AVOID activity that disturbs or damages asbestos
• PROTECT asbestos from deterioration

3. Engage an asbestos professional

Friable asbestos materials:

• ALWAYS get it removed by a professional as soon as possible

Non-friable asbestos materials:

• Damaged or deteriorated – get it removed by a professional. There may be options to repair or seal the asbestos until it can be removed.
• Good condition – maintain it with paint or other sealants until an asbestos professional can remove it.

4. Take safety precautions

Use safe work practices when conducting repairs or any work on asbestos materials to prevent fibre release and exposure:

• Protect others by preventing access to the work area
• Wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – disposable overalls, disposable gloves, a tight-fitting respirator and fully enclosed shoes without laces that can be easily cleaned
• Only use hand tools or low speed tools
• Wet the asbestos material before working on it by lightly spraying with water
• Do not waterblast, sand or scrub asbestos materials
• Clean up all dust using wet rags (NEVER sweep with a broom)
• Wrap asbestos waste, including contaminated rags, in heavy-duty plastic and taped shut to ensure no fibres are released.
• Dispose asbestos waste correctly – do not place in household bins.

Information Sheet 4: Cleaning gutters of asbestos roofs

As asbestos roofs deteriorate in the weather, asbestos fibres can be released and collect in the gutters. This information sheet will help you prevent asbestos fibres from being inhaled during gutter cleaning.

Caution:

• Asbestos roofs can break easily – ensure you have a safe working platform to work from
• Do not use high pressure water sprayers or air blowers to clean roofs or gutters
• Avoid cleaning on windy days

What equipment do you need?

• Bucket of water and single-use rags
• Watering can or garden sprayer containing wetting solution (e.g. detergent)
• Misting spray bottle
• Heavy duty plastic sheeting
• Heavy duty plastic bags
• Duct tape
• Warning signs and barrier tape
• Waste disposal containers

What Personal Protective Equipment do you need?

• Single-use gloves: suitable for work
• Respiratory protection
• Single-use coveralls with a hood: ISO 13982–1 type 5, category 3 (to prevent clothing contamination)
• Boots without laces (laces are hard to clean)

Prepare the work area

• Prepare a safe work area e.g. safe work at height
• Restrict access – use tape and signage to warn and cordon area below the gutters
• Cover ground under work area with heavy-duty plastic and tape or anchor in place
• Prepare area where items will be cleaned

Procedure

• Disconnect or re-route downpipes to empty into a large container to collect wastewater
• Sprinkle wetting solution over gutter contents
• Avoid creating a slurry by over-wetting
• Use scoop or trowel to remove leaves and debris into the waste bag
• Keep the gutter contents wetted until process is complete
• Wastewater must be disposed of as asbestos waste

Cleaning and disposal

• Use clean damp rags for final clean of gutters
• Clean equipment with damp rags
• Carefully roll or fold plastic sheeting
• Place plastic sheeting, rags and any other waste into asbestos waste bags
• Place waste bag into a second bag and seal with duct tape
• Clean outside of bag with damp rag
• Label bag as asbestos waste
• Seal wastewater container
• Place into asbestos waste bag and seal with duct tape
• Label bag as asbestos waste
• Transport and dispose asbestos waste in accordance with legal requirements

Information Sheet 5: Drilling into Asbestos Containing Material

Drilling into asbestos cement sheeting or low-density asbestos fibre board can release asbestos fibres into the air which can be inhaled. This information sheet will help you prevent dust creation and prevent inhalation of asbestos fibres.

Do not drill into damaged or friable asbestos containing material – this must be professionally removed as soon as possible.

Only use hand drills or low-speed battery drill on lowest setting.

• NEVER use high-powered tools
• NEVER use explosive tools
• NEVER work in windy areas
• DO NOT use tools that create dust

What equipment do I need?

• Hand drill (or low-speed battery drill) and long drill bits
• Bucket of water
• Single-use rags
• Misting spray bottle
• Sealant or paint coating
• Heavy duty plastic bags and sheeting
• Duct tape and/or cloth tape
• Warning signs and barrier tape
• Cable sleeve if creating hole for cables

Dust control equipment

• A foam cup (or equivalent) and paste such as hair gel, shaving cream, OR
• Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) dust control hood OR Class H, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuum (for mirror vacuuming)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Single-use gloves: suitable for work and to cover hands
• Respiratory protection: minimum half-face filter respirator with a Class P1 or P2 (are these classes international?) filter cartridge – must fit closely (i.e. including being clean shaven)
• Single-use coveralls with a hood: ISO 13982–1 type 5, category 3 (to prevent clothing contamination)
• Boots without laces (laces are hard to clean) or non-slip over-shoe booties

Prepare the work area

• Prepare decontamination area [See “Personal decontamination” information sheet]
• Prepare a safe work area e.g. safe work at height
• Only necessary people present
• Restrict access – close doors or use tape and signage to warn and cordon areas
• Cover floor under work area with heavy-duty plastic and tape in place

Procedure:

Drilling: walls/vertical surfaces

• Tape drill and exit points (if accessible)
• Cover drill point and exit point with paste (gel/ shaving cream)
• Drill through tape
• Use damp rags to clean off paste and debris
• Use new damp rag to clean off drill bit
• Dispose of rags into asbestos waste bag
• Seal edge of drilled asbestos
• If running cable through the hole – insert a sleeve to protect the inner edge of the hole

Drilling: ceilings/ overhead

• Tape drill point and exit point
• Drill a hole in cup
• Fill inside of cup with paste
• Put drill bit through hole in the cup
• Align drill bit with drill point
• Hold the cup firmly against the surface
• Drill through surface – keep cup in place
• Keep cup in place and remove drill bit through cup
• Remove cup from the surface
• Seal edge of drilled asbestos
• If running cable through the hole – insert a sleeve to protect the inner edge of the hole

Clean up

• Clean equipment with damp rags
• Carefully roll or fold plastic sheeting
• Clean area with damp rags or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaner
• Place debris, rags and waste into asbestos waste bag and seal with duct tape.
• Place waste bag into a second bag and seal with duct tape
• Clean outside of bag with damp rag
• Label bags as asbestos waste
• Transport and dispose asbestos waste in accordance with legal requirements

Do not re-soak rags – this contaminates the water. Fold the rag or use a fresh one.

Remember: the respirator is the last PPE item to remove