Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for many respiratory complications. In worse cases, asbestos exposure can even lead to mesothelioma, a kind of lung cancer that stems from asbestos fibres settling in your lungs. These cases are often detected years after the exposure, so people who suffer from it do not even realize this danger.
Asbestos exposure leaves not only the persons in the direct contact in grave danger, but when they go home to their families with asbestos-contaminated clothes and shoes, their families now become at risk. There are many ways to prevent these lethal scenarios. In this article, we are going to go through some useful asbestos removal and safety tips to protect yourself and your family against asbestos exposure.
Are you at risk?
Asbestos-related illness are typically suffered by people who work in industries that have high risk for asbestos exposure. These jobs include but are not related to construction companies, residential repair services, commercial building services, and so on. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is to study the nature of your job. The best person to ask can sometimes be your employer, which is why you should:
Ask your employer about asbestos health risks on the job.
The first step towards preventing danger is to know whether that danger exists in the first place. If you work in construction, for example, health and safety risks can include falling, injuries, machine accidents, and most of all, exposure to asbestos.
Your employer will most likely know about this and are obligated by law to lay out the risks on a contract before you can sign the dotted line. Read the fine print or ask them point blank. This way, you can be fully aware of the kind of job you are getting yourself into. At least with this knowledge, you can set up protective measures that can lessen the impact of the said danger.
Know when the building was built.
Asbestos was widely used as a construction material back in the 30’s, but its usage continued on until the late 80s. It was banned in some areas in Australia around the 70s, but certain buildings were able to get away with using it.
Nowadays, there are still buildings that were built around those times. So, be especially careful if you are assigned to work on a house or a building that was built during those periods. Ask the owners or enquire someone who knows a thing or two about the house you are going to be working in.
Use technology to your advantage.
If you have been working in the construction industry for a long time, chances are, you already have a basic knowledge of how to spot asbestos contamination in a house or building. These asbestos tiles can be found in the roofing and the flooring of a house. You can look for the common visual signs. But with the advancements in technology, you can also detect asbestos that are deep within the walls and grimes of building.
This is especially helpful if you prefer having a more reliable protection, rather than just relying on your good old eyes. Though spotting visual signs are helpful, using asbestos detectors are more accurate. If you cannot find one in your work, you can work with an asbestos removal company to take them out.
Familiarize yourself with safety and health regulations.
There are many safety and health regulations set in place with regards to dealing with asbestos. One of the primary protocols is to perform air monitoring and keeping records at all times. Before you even dive deep into your work, asbestos risks have to be assessed. There are also safety responsibilities on the shoulders of the employers.
Your employers are also required to provide their workers with the right personal protective equipment (like respiratory protection, masks, safety garments, etc.) to protect their workers from inhaling the lethal asbestos fibres. Even asbestos awareness trainings should be made available if your team will always be assigned to asbestos-ridden properties.
Decontaminate at all times.
Your responsibility does not stop when your shift ends. You should also take the moment to decontaminate yourself like taking a shower, throwing the clothes that you wore onto the washer, vacuum your shoes with asbestos vacuum cleaner, and so on.
Personal decontamination is not the only kind of decontamination you should do either. You must also take responsibility in decontaminating the area where asbestos contamination is detected, as well as any tools that you have used during the work. If you want a clean slate, you can always just hire for professional help like the ones from AW Removed. Dealing with asbestos requires precision and professionalism. You cannot just handle it half-heartedly and hope for the best. You either do it right yourself, or have professionals get rid of asbestos for you.
AW Removed is a trusted asbestos removals company that caters to a wide range of asbestos removal needs. Whether you are dealing with friable or non–friable asbestos, we can get the job done for you. The risk of asbestos exposure are grave and long-lasting, so take the time to protect yourself today. Contact us at (03) 9798 3891.