Covid-19 Decontamination ; Headline: Step-by-Step Guide for Safely Managing Asbestos Contamination in Your Home

Safety 1st Removals Director John Kerr has had 20 odd years in the field of Decontamination of Contaminated Sites and the various Methodology being used to clear them of Contamination. Asbestos Contamination which is our field of expertise and brings good discipline and a systematic way of decontaminating.

John Kerr of www.safety1stremovals.co.nz says that in all his 20 years of working in the field of Decontamination or Environmental Clean has not seen a virus such as the Covid-19 pandemic. The basics needed for a good clean are still the same,John Kerr will outline these.

Lets look at some of the basics of the Covid-19 Virus. The Covid-19 Virus is Droplet Spread and is the same as other Influenza illnesses.John Kerr from Safety 1st Removals Ltd understands that the Basic message that has been pushed by experts to the general public about prevention is Wash your Hands and isolate yourself from large gatherings. Research has also shown that the Covid-19 Virus can be found on surfaces. So another prevention measure is keeping surfaces clean and disinfected.

This Disinfection or Decontamination John Kerr from Safety 1st Removals Ltd says must be done in a specific way and unless you have training in Decontamination you could recontaminate the area you are trying to clean. John Kerr from Safety 1st Removals Ltd also says you must look at the surfaces you are wanting to clean.It has been shown that other viruses can hang around on Steel for up to 48 hours and Glass and Wood for four to five days and plastic for nine days.

John Kerr from Safety 1st Removals Ltd says therefore the first question you must ask yourself is what is the surface.In Residential and Commercial Spaces you should look at cleaning areas that are common shared spaces for Families or Workers. Things like Door Handles, Fridge Handles,Lift Buttons etc anywhere where people can sneeze or cough on or may get touched a lot.

John Kerr from Safety 1st Removals Ltd says that once you have worked out what type of surfaces and where they are you will need to work out the best disinfectant to use.All experts that I have read say that there main advice is to make sure the Disinfectant is antiviral and follow the instructions on usage.

John Kerr from Safety 1st Removals Ltd likes to use Disinfectants that have an active Bleach Component in them. The first advice John Kerr likes to give is when you spray on your Disinfectant is to let it sit on the surface for say 10 seconds this allows it to do its job.Then using a Disposable cloth wipe in one direction making sure to not go over the same area in another direction. Make sure you use a clean cloth every time and you repeat this process until your service has been cleaned.If working on jobs John Kerr and the Safety 1st Removals Ltd team will use high grade PPE at home this maybe less strict but have some form of PPE like gloves,mask etc.

This article was written by John Kerr from www.safety1stremovals.co.nz

Step-by-Step Safe Work Procedure for Homeowners Dealing with Asbestos Contamination

If you’ve discovered asbestos in your home, it’s crucial to handle it carefully to protect your family’s health. Asbestos fibers can cause serious health risks if disturbed. This guide walks you through the steps to manage asbestos contamination safely and effectively.

Step 1: Confirm the Presence of Asbestos

• Hire a qualified asbestos assessor to test the suspected material.
• Ensure the assessor is licensed under New Zealand Asbestos Regulations 2016.
• Common places to find asbestos include roofing, insulation, cladding, and older vinyl flooring.

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Step 2: Avoid Disturbing the Material

• Do not attempt to clean, cut, or break any material that may contain asbestos.
• Limit access to the contaminated area to avoid spreading fibers.
• Use clear signage to mark the area as off-limits.

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Step 3: Engage a Licensed Asbestos Removalist

• Search for a licensed asbestos removal professional near you. In New Zealand, Class A removalists handle friable (easily crumbled) asbestos, while Class B removalists handle bonded asbestos.
• Verify their credentials and request a detailed removal plan.

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Step 4: Create an Asbestos Management Plan

• Work with the removalist to develop an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP). This document outlines:
  • The location and condition of asbestos.
  • The method of removal.
  • Control measures to reduce risks.

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Step 5: Removal and Disposal

• Ensure removalists follow these protocols:
  1. Seal the area using plastic sheeting.
  2. Wear approved protective equipment (e.g., P2 respirators, coveralls).
  3. Use proper tools and wet methods to reduce dust.
  4. Double-bag and label asbestos waste for safe transport.
• Waste must be taken to an approved asbestos disposal facility. Request a disposal receipt for your records.