Asbestos Management: Schools and workplaces

Asbestos Management: Schools and workplaces

Asbestos is a special kind of material that was used in building construction and other industries up to the 1980s. At that time, this material was found to be the cause of many health problems suffered by people working in asbestos mines and in the production of asbestos-containing products.

In spite of this, the Western Australian Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances carried out research and reached the conclusion that the hazardous effects of asbestos are due to human negligence. Evidence shows that if the asbestos is left untouched, it does not pose any risk to health. It is not necessary to remove asbestos materials to prevent health problems.

There are many schools and workplaces that have been built at the time when asbestos was very popular. Contrary to what has been said, there are some occasions when asbestos material needs to be disturbed. For example, if the material is not in good condition due to weather conditions, or if there are modifications in the buildings, asbestos should be removed.

There are some procedures to follow when removal of asbestos material is pursued.

The asbestos removal must be directed by Contract Management Services and performed in agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations. Before asbestos removal work starts, meetings must be held between the project manager, school directives and stakeholders.

Removal tasks must not be performed while students and employees are at the school. Prior to the return of employees and students to school supervision of the work must be carried out.

Asbestos in numbers

Asbestos is a natural mineral that has been widely used in the past in construction materials. But after the discovery of the deadly health consequences related to asbestos, its exploitation was banned. In spite of this, the prohibition could not stop the damage already done to people that has been exposed to this material either in the workplace or at home.

In 2002, 1862 deaths were reported to have been caused by mesothelioma, which is one of the most common diseases related to asbestos. It is considered that asbestos related lung cancer deaths equal those caused by mesothelioma. And taking into account asbestosis, there were 112 deaths in 2002 and in the following year 655 deceases were reported.

There has been an increase in the yearly figure of deaths caused by mesothelioma. In 1968, 153 deceases were recounted and in 2000 the number rose to 1633. In the year 2001, 1860 deaths were reported and the next year there were 1862 cases. The highest point of mesothelioma deaths is expected to hit Great Britain between 2011 and 2015 with an estimated number of 1950 to 2450 deaths. This estimation is done considering the peak of asbestos exposure in that country, which was around the 1960s. In regard to asbestosis [ a respiratory disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.] number of cases reported in 2003 was of 655 cases.

This gigantic proportion of cases has led to the setting of controls and regulations to reduce the risk related to asbestos. The Asbestos Regulations has prohibited asbestos handling and manipulation with a few exceptions.

Advice on asbestos disposal

There are some countries that do not own landfills specifically destined for asbestos waste. If this is the case in your city or country, friable asbestos [ is a term used to describe any asbestos-containing material that when dry, can be easily crumbled or pulverized to powder by hand.} waste can be disposed of at sites where industries waste is thrown.

There are many regulations controlling asbestos disposal and one of the requirements is to label the containers to identify the material. Information about the volumes, composition and location of asbestos waste must be recorded.

The personnel involved in the gathering, transportation and disposal of asbestos waste are exposed to the risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. To prevent this, it is vital to provide the people in charge of doing the job with the proper protective equipment, such special clothing and respiratory gear. The asbestos materials that will be disposed have to be wetted. The vehicles transporting the asbestos must be marked with a sign informing about the hazardous waste. The waste must be deposited in authorized site that is suitable and available for that purpose.

There is a difference between friable and non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos is in the form of powder or can become powder with a slight pressure. And non-friable asbestos is material that cannot be reduced to powder because it is harder. Non-friable material is in some places not consider hazardous. Consequently, the procedures of disposal of both kinds differ greatly.

In conclusion, friable asbestos waste should be dealt with carefully to ensure that there are no leakages while it is being transported. Once the waste is deposited in the landfill there are no risks with regard to water contamination.

ASBESTOS SHINGLES REMOVAL

The use of asbestos in homes and buildings started in the 1930s when asbestos was used extensively because of its fireproofing qualities. In addition to this, asbestos is resistant and it was used to give strength to siding materials. Then, in the 1970s, its use was prohibited because many deadly diseases were associated with it.

The existence of asbestos at home does not imply that there is risk of developing any of the diseases related to it. But the problem is that asbestos or the material containing it can be damaged or altered in a way that the fibers could be released and become airborne. When the fibers are freed, they pose a terrible hazard to health they can enter the organism by inhaling or ingesting them.

Nowadays, there are many laws and regulations that control the removal and disposal of asbestos.

The first step is to analyze the condition of the shingles at home. If they are in good condition, it is preferable to leave them alone. Because touching or altering asbestos material could cause great damage.

If the material is in good condition, fibers will not be released unless it is sawed, drilled or cut. So do not disturb material that is unspoiled. On the contrary, if the material is not in good state there are two options to solve the problem, one is to remove and the other is to repair it. The process of repairing the material includes sealing (encapsulation) or covering (enclosure) the asbestos.

Asbestos Explained |Asbestos Floor Tiles |Here

Sponsor your Zip Code