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The Hidden Dangers of Asbestos Removal

Before any work is carried out on commercial or industrial roofing, experts in the identification of asbestos, and in asbestos removal and treatment, should be called in and consulted. Asbestos can be present not only in corrugated and flat roof sheeting and shingles, but also in forms many businesses don't consider such as textured paints and just within the roof cavity as insulation for flue or water piping.

Understand the Legal and Health Issues

Allowing untrained employees even to handle asbestos is illegal with the Industrial Relations Court handing down fines of thousands of dollars to offending companies. Not only is the practice dangerous for employees, the risk flows on to others away from the workplace, with at least one recorded death of a wife breathing in asbestos fibres when washing her husband’s clothes.

During asbestos removal, the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association say no mechanical methods should be used and to be wary of any contactor who advocates using electrical or hand saws for roof repairs, or sanding or high pressure water cleaning. All these methods are not only dangerous but illegal under the NSW WorkCover Health and Safety Regulations and could incur significant fines.

The Master Builders Association says asbestos roofs are the most hazardous of the asbestos building materials due to their ongoing exposure to extreme climatic and man-made elements. They advise to avoid disturbing asbestos if at all possible, unless the amount of damage or deterioration is significant enough to make asbestos roof removal unavoidable.

Understanding the Big Picture Can Also Be Vital

Commercial Roofing Australia are leaders in the field of asbestos encapsulation, removing asbestos roof materials and they factor in vital matters some contractors neglect. They say, securing the site and putting safety precautions into place, warning and informing all affected parties, and clean up and removal of any small pieces of asbestos are as important as the actual removal of the asbestos roofing material.

Any careless or incorrect handling of asbestos can result in the dangerous fibres being released into the air, therefore all contractors should be fully trained in all aspects of asbestos roof repair or removal as well as in all workplace health and safety procedures.

Before deciding to replace asbestos roof material, it is also recommended that companies investigate encapsulation as a safe and financially economical alternative to asbestos removal if the roofing material is still in reasonably good order.