The discovery of Asbestos 4,500 years ago leads to many products containing Asbestos. From cooking pots to utensils, Asbestos was greatly utilised due to its durable feature of resisting fire, water, chemicals, and electricity. During the Industrial Revolution, the demand to produce Asbestos has increased, and in 1858, the Johns Company started mining fibrous anthophyllite for insulation. Although workers who were exposed to Asbestos in the first century AD have become ill, the discovery of asbestosis was clinically found in 1930. Therefore, the citizens and residents of Brisbane who own properties that were built before the 1990s may require undergoing the Asbestos

Removal Brisbane process.

Since Asbestos-related diseases were discovered one after another, from asbestosis to lung cancer, mesothelioma being discovered in 1953, the high death risks of Asbestos workers show the significance of conducting Asbestos Removal. The citizens and residents of Brisbane are highly encouraged to consider going through the process of Asbestos Removal if they are suspecting Asbestos-containing material (ACM) in their property or planning to renovate or demolish an old property. Conducting an Asbestos Removal can ensure that the property has good air quality before proceeding with any project and is safe for occupancy.

Asbestos Removal Process

Working with the highly toxic mineral Asbestos requires experience and adequate knowledge. Thus, hiring a licenced professional Asbestos management and removal company is one of the most important steps to take to have success and safe Asbestos removal. Choosing to hire a trusted Asbestos abatement company to conduct the asbestos removal can ensure property owners that the air is clear from Asbestos contamination, and the Asbestos workspace is thoroughly decontaminated. Before setting a schedule with an Asbestos abatement company, here are the following process to expect during the asbestos removal work, including:

Planning.

An experienced Asbestos abatement company will create a plan based on the recommendations and processes of the industrial hygienist. The planning will consist of information regarding the treatment of the contaminated area, including the preparation and the decontamination process. An asbestos work plan should also follow all the local, state, and federal laws when conducting asbestos removal.

Delimitation.

After the plan is created, the abatement company should identify and properly mark the areas contaminated with Asbestos. Also, all the occupants must be informed to leave the property and prohibit their return until the Asbestos work is completed. The occupants can only return when the work is done and the property has met the clearance criteria.

Establishing regulated workspace. To prevent the spread of Asbestos fibres, properties with an air-conditioning system should be disabled. In addition, sealing the air ducts and other areas that are not contaminated is necessary. By using thick plastic sheets, air pressure differential, and filtration, Asbestos fibres can be contained. Before the abatement company conducts the Asbestos removal work, an industrial hygienist must also inspect the preparation workspace.

Removal of ACBM.

During the Asbestos work, the abatement company will use wet methods and hand tools to conduct the removal of Asbestos-containing building material (ACBM). Asbestos removal workers will also use PPEs and follow safety measures to ensure their health safety. Once the ACBM has been identified, it is placed in waste bags, sealed off, and contained by a specialised decontamination unit. Also, a decontamination room will be created adjacent to the Asbestos workspace and equipped with a shower area to decontaminate Asbestos workers before leaving the workspace.

Utilisation of HEPA vacuum. Abatement Company will utilise high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums specifically designed for Asbestos removal work. It is used to prevent the spread of Asbestos fibres during the asbestos removal work, and to clean surfaces.

Clearance testing. Once the ACBMs have been removed and the entire Asbestos workspace has been thoroughly cleaned with HEPA vacuums and wet methods, an industrial hygienist will conduct an inspection and clearance air testing. During the clearance testing, the sealed workspace and air filtration must remain until the test is done and until the workspace meets the criteria for clearance testing indicated on the asbestos work plan.

Decontamination.

After the workspace has met the clearance criteria, the sealed workspace barriers must be removed and the asbestos workspace cleaned with HEPA vacuums. Upon conducting the decontamination, property owners will receive a report from the abatement company containing all the details of the Asbestos works, including the disposal permits and licencing. The industrial hygiene firm will also provide copies of their independent inspection results and analysis based on the laboratory tests. All the copies of reports can be used as proof of following environmental regulations.

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