Protective clothing for working with asbestos;Protective Clothing for Asbestos Removal: A Homeowner's Guide;What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos in Your Home Before Selling and Essential Protective Gear for Working Safely Around Asbestos

Personal Protective Equipment to use when working with asbestos (Information sheet)

— filed under: Hazard - Chemicals, Document type - Fact Sheet, Hazard - Asbestos, Guidance - Clean air
Personal protective equipment is an essential line of defence for minimising an asbestos risk when elimination is not practicable.

What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any clothing or equipment that provides protection to the wearer from a potential risk.

What PPE must be worn when asbestos is or may be present?
If asbestos is or may be present, PPE must include:

• respiratory protective equipment (RPE) – to avoid inhaling asbestos fibres (see our fact sheet on health risks from asbestos)
• overalls which are impervious to asbestos dust (either disposable or able to be washed*) – to avoid the risk of carrying asbestos fibres away from the worksite on clothing
• footwear – appropriate for the work being undertaken (footwear should be non-laced as laced footwear is difficult to clean – alternatively wear disposable boot covers).

* Washing must only be done in laundries specifically set up for handling asbestos- contaminated clothing. It must not be done at home or a public laundromat.

Why is PPE required?
Although controls must be in place to prevent or reduce exposure to asbestos fibres when working with asbestos-containing material (ACM), the asbestos risks must be minimised even more by using appropriate PPE.

Respirators
When should a respirator be worn?
A respirator or RPE should be worn at all times by workers in any environment where asbestos is or suspected to be present to minimise the risk of breathing in asbestos.

Introduction: Asbestos removal is a serious task that requires proper protective gear to minimize exposure to harmful asbestos fibers. If you're planning to undertake asbestos removal in your New Zealand home, it's crucial to understand the protective clothing needed for the job.

1. Head Protection:

• Wear a disposable hood or a half-face respirator with a P3 filter to protect your head and respiratory system.
• Ensure the respirator fits snugly to your face and provides adequate filtration.

2. Eye Protection:

• Use safety goggles or a full-face respirator to protect your eyes from asbestos fibers.
• Ensure the eyewear forms a tight seal around your eyes to prevent any particles from entering.

3. Body Protection:

• Wear a disposable coverall suit made of asbestos-resistant material to cover your entire body.
• Choose coveralls with elastic cuffs and ankles to prevent fibers from entering through gaps.

4. Hand Protection:

• Wear disposable gloves made of nitrile or latex to protect your hands.
• Double-glove for added protection, especially during more extensive removal work.

5. Foot Protection:

• Use disposable boot covers or shoe covers to prevent asbestos fibers from sticking to your shoes.
• Alternatively, wear disposable overshoes or boots that can be easily disposed of after the removal process.

6. Additional Precautions:

• Seal all protective clothing at the seams with duct tape to prevent any potential exposure.
• Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking during asbestos removal to minimize the risk of ingestion or inhalation.

Conclusion: Proper protective clothing is essential for safe asbestos removal in your New Zealand home. By following these guidelines and investing in the right gear, you can significantly reduce the risk of asbestos exposure to yourself and others. For more information and expert advice, visit Safety 1st Removals (www.safety1stremovals.co.nz) and the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association (www.nzdaa.co.nz). Remember, safety should always be your top priority during asbestos removal projects.

Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners Dealing with Asbestos Before Selling: How to Protect Yourself and What to Wear

If you’re contemplating selling your home and suspect there may be asbestos present, it’s important to handle the situation with caution. Asbestos was commonly used in many building materials but is now known to be dangerous when disturbed. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure safety, from identifying asbestos to wearing the correct protective gear if you need to work around it.

1. Identify Potential Asbestos Materials

Step 1: Know Where Asbestos May Be Hiding First, assess the age of your home. If it was built before the 1980s, asbestos could be present in:

• Roofing and siding materials
• Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives
• Pipe insulation
• Textured ceilings (popcorn ceilings)
• Cement sheeting in walls, floors, and roofing

If you suspect asbestos, avoid disturbing any materials and move to the next step.

2. Hire a Certified Asbestos Inspector

Step 2: Get Professional Help If asbestos is suspected, the safest course of action is to hire a certified asbestos inspector. The inspector will take samples and test them in a lab, providing you with confirmation of asbestos presence.

Why an Expert? Handling asbestos yourself is dangerous and can release fibers into the air. A professional will ensure that the testing process is done safely and legally.

3. Wait for Test Results and Make a Plan

Step 3: Review Your Options After receiving your test results, you’ll need to decide on your next steps. If asbestos is present and in good condition (not disturbed or damaged), encapsulation may be a safe and cost-effective option. If the asbestos is damaged or you prefer a more permanent solution, removal by licensed professionals is the safest course of action.

4. What Protective Clothing to Wear When Working Around Asbestos

Step 4: Gear Up for Safety If you or professionals need to work around asbestos materials, wearing the right protective clothing is critical to prevent exposure. Here’s what you need:

• Disposable Coveralls: Full-body disposable coveralls made from non-woven fabric are essential. These coveralls should be made from a material that doesn't easily allow fibers to penetrate.
  • Tip: Choose coveralls with elasticated cuffs and ankles to ensure a tight fit.
• Gloves: Use disposable latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves to protect your hands from asbestos contamination. The gloves should be discarded immediately after use.
• Respiratory Protection: The most critical piece of protective gear is a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter respirator. A P2 or P3 respirator is recommended for working with asbestos materials to filter out dangerous particles. Do not rely on simple dust masks—they won’t protect you from asbestos fibers.
• Safety Goggles: Ensure your eyes are protected by wearing safety goggles that are snug-fitting to prevent dust or fibers from getting into your eyes.
• Boot Covers: Disposable boot covers help prevent asbestos from contaminating your shoes and spreading outside the work area. Boot covers should also be disposed of after working around asbestos.

Handy Tip: Avoid wearing any personal clothing under the disposable protective gear, and never try to wash or reuse asbestos-contaminated gear. Everything must be safely disposed of after use.

5. Encapsulation or Removal

Step 5: Decide on Encapsulation or Removal Once you've confirmed the presence of asbestos, you need to decide whether to encapsulate or remove it. Encapsulation involves sealing the asbestos in place with a special coating to prevent fibers from being released. Removal involves eliminating the asbestos entirely, which should only be done by licensed professionals using proper safety measures.

6. Notify Potential Buyers and Legal Disclosure

Step 6: Full Disclosure with Buyers Transparency is key when selling a home with asbestos. In many areas, you are legally required to disclose the presence of asbestos to potential buyers. Provide them with all relevant documentation, including test results and any steps you’ve taken to manage or remove the asbestos.

Handy Tip: Offering proof of professional asbestos abatement work or encapsulation can help reassure buyers that the home is safe, making the sale process smoother.

Conclusion

Handling asbestos before selling your home requires careful planning and safety measures. Whether you're testing for asbestos or working around it, ensuring you have the right protective clothing is critical to minimizing health risks. Always hire professionals for testing and removal, and make sure you disclose asbestos to potential buyers to avoid legal issues later on.