Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that individuals in various professions, including auto mechanics, shipbuilders and contractors, may inevitably come across on the job.
The only way to know if the white powdery substance they encounter is indeed asbestos is to run tests to confirm that’s the case. An abatement process may need to occur if crews find asbestos fibers.
Abatement professionals must follow certain protocols to safely remove asbestos. They put homeowners, colleagues, family members, and others at risk of secondary exposure if they fail to follow established abatement protocols.
What steps are involved in the safe abatement of asbestos?
Government regulators require abatement professionals to follow strict protocol when removing asbestos fibers to minimize others’ chances of secondary exposure. They must do the following:
- Isolate and restrict access to the containment area: Abatement professionals must surround the location of the asbestos fibers in plastic sheeting. Abatement teams must also seal vents in the area where the asbestos fibers are located. Workers must also install an air pressure differential and filtration system in the work area.
- Fiber removal: Crews must wear both respirators and protective clothing before entering the isolation zone. There are wet methods and hand tools that they can use to remove the fibers. Abatement professionals must put any fibers in sealed bags and remove them through the containment site. Workers must take a shower as they leave the area.
- Vacuuming: Abatement professionals must use HEPA filters to clean up the removal site as this reduces the chance of workers having contact with asbestos fibers in the environment.
- Clean-up: The abatement professionals must sample the air to ensure that they safely remove the fibers and report the results of such a test to government officials.
Did you develop an asbestos-induced medical condition after an abatement?
Abatement professionals have protocol to follow when abating asbestos, but there’s often little employer or government oversight to ensure that parties do as they should. This may mean that fibers unsuspectingly get passed on to you. You’re sure to have significant bills if you are suffering from an asbestos-related condition. You may be entitled to compensation to help alleviate the financial burden associated with them.