Removing asbestos from a garage roof is a serious task that requires careful planning and execution to ensure safety. Asbestos is a hazardous material, and when its fibres are disturbed and become airborne, they pose significant health risks, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. To protect yourself, your family, and others, it’s crucial to follow strict safety protocols and guidelines during the removal process. Here’s how you can ensure the safe removal of asbestos from your garage roof:
1. Hire a Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor
The most critical step in ensuring the safe removal of asbestos is to hire a licensed asbestos removal contractor. Asbestos removal is a specialised task that requires training, certification, and the use of proper equipment. Licensed professionals have the knowledge and experience to handle asbestos safely and comply with all legal requirements.
2. Conduct an Asbestos Survey and Risk Assessment
Before any removal work begins, a professional asbestos survey should be conducted to assess the presence, type, and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the garage roof.
- Refurbishment and Demolition Survey: This type of survey is necessary for identifying ACMs that could be disturbed during the removal process. It provides detailed information about the location, type, and condition of asbestos in the garage roof.
- Risk Assessment: Based on the survey results, a comprehensive risk assessment is conducted to evaluate the potential for asbestos fibre release and to determine the safest removal method.
3. Plan and Prepare for the Removal
Proper planning and preparation are essential for safe asbestos removal. This includes setting up the work area and implementing safety measures to protect everyone involved.
- Establish a Controlled Area: The area around the garage roof should be designated as a controlled zone. This involves setting up barriers, and warning signs, and restricting access to ensure that only trained personnel with proper personal protective equipment (PPE) are allowed in the area.
- Use Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure that all workers involved in the removal process wear appropriate PPE, including disposable coveralls, gloves, safety goggles, and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) with HEPA filters. PPE is essential to protect workers from inhaling asbestos fibres.
- Set Up Decontamination Units: Mobile decontamination units should be set up on-site for workers to safely remove PPE and clean themselves before leaving the controlled area. This helps prevent the spread of asbestos fibres outside the work zone.
4. Utilize Safe Removal Techniques
To minimise the release of asbestos fibres during the removal process, safe techniques and methods should be used:
- Wet Removal Method: One of the safest methods for removing asbestos-containing roofing materials is the wet removal method. This involves spraying the asbestos sheets with a fine mist of water mixed with a surfactant to dampen them and prevent fibres from becoming airborne.
- Careful Handling: Asbestos sheets should be carefully unscrewed or removed by hand, avoiding any breakage or disturbance that could release fibres. The sheets should be gently lowered to the ground rather than dropped.
- Avoid Power Tools: Power tools should be avoided during asbestos removal, as they can create dust and debris. If cutting is necessary, use hand tools while keeping the materials damp to minimise fibre release.
5. Ensure Proper Disposal of Asbestos Waste
Once the asbestos materials are removed, they must be safely packaged and disposed of according to strict regulations:
- Double-Bagging in Asbestos Waste Bags: Removed asbestos sheets should be placed in heavy-duty, sealable asbestos waste bags or wrapped in plastic sheeting (typically 1,000-gauge polythene). Each bag should be double-bagged, sealed, and labelled with asbestos warning labels.
- Transport to a Licensed Disposal Site: Asbestos waste must be transported to a licensed asbestos disposal site. Only facilities with special licenses can accept asbestos waste. Licensed asbestos removal contractors are responsible for ensuring that the waste is transported safely and legally.
6. Conduct Thorough Site Decontamination and Clearance
After the asbestos removal is complete, the site must be thoroughly decontaminated to ensure no asbestos fibres remain:
- Decontaminate Tools and Equipment: All tools, equipment, and PPE used during the removal process should be thoroughly cleaned or disposed of as asbestos waste. The removal site should also be decontaminated using specialized equipment, such as HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners.
- Air Monitoring and Clearance Testing: Air monitoring should be conducted throughout the removal process to measure asbestos fibre levels in the air. After the removal is complete, a thorough clearance inspection and air testing should be conducted by an independent, accredited asbestos analyst to ensure that the area is safe for reoccupation. The area can only be declared safe once the asbestos fibre levels are below the regulatory limits.
7. Maintain Clear Communication and Documentation
Clear communication and proper documentation are essential throughout the asbestos removal process:
- Inform Neighbors and Occupants: If you are in a residential area, inform your neighbours about the asbestos removal work being done to avoid any misunderstandings or concerns.
- Keep Detailed Records: Maintain detailed records of the asbestos survey, risk assessment, removal process, air monitoring results, and disposal documentation. This ensures compliance with regulations and provides proof that the asbestos was safely removed.
If you suspect your garage roof contains asbestos, get in touch with us.
