5 Tips to Minimise the Risk of Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace
Up until the 1980s, experts believed that asbestos was only affecting those who had worked with it during manufacturing or installation, known as occupational exposure. However, what we now know is vastly different.
We are also seeing people affected through para-occupational exposure, which includes living near asbestos-related industries or bringing it home on contaminated clothing and tools.
Asbestos exposure can also be of concern through the exposure of asbestos-containing products, living with damaged asbestos building materials, and poorly performed asbestos removal. At home, work, or when you’re out and about, there can be more of an asbestos exposure risk than you might think.
So, what can you do to minimise your risk in the workplace? Well, it’s all down to health and safety. Let us run you through a few considerations.
1. Identify its Presence
Tens of thousands of buildings across New Zealand contain asbestos. That’s the reality of a natural mineral that was once thought to have been a “miracle” product. It was so versatile and affordable that it became commonplace in a raft of different building materials.
So, if you suspect that your workplace contains asbestos, then it’s a good idea to know for sure. The best way to do this is by contacting asbestos removal experts in New Zealand. They can take samples of suspected materials and confirm its presence before advising you on your best next steps.
2. Identify and Assess the Hazard
After you’ve confirmed that your workplace does, in fact, contain asbestos, then it’s essential to then identify and assess the material itself. Fortunately, asbestos removal companies in NZ can handle this task.
As they make their assessment, they look at things like:
Type of asbestos-containing material
The location of the material
Whether it’s friable or not
The potential for future disturbances
The risk of exposure from airborne fibres
From this process, asbestos experts can establish the next recommended action, which might be its safe removal, encapsulation, or to leave it as it is.
3. Abide by Acts
If you are the owner of a commercial property containing asbestos-contaminated products, then you must notify your occupants. You must also act to remedy those hazards by using certified contractors.
The obligations of a property owner also include those in the Health Act 1956 and Building Act 2004. By doing your part, you’re able to minimise the risk of asbestos exposure in the workplace.
4. Contact Experts Before it’s a Problem
Non-friable asbestos can quickly become friable when it’s damaged or during renovations. So, if you’re going to minimise your risk of workplace exposure, then taking care of it before it’s a problem is the best option. Being aware of where it’s located can then allow you to put safety procedures in place.
Workplace safety plans can include things like:
Containment procedures
Asbestos fibre release reduction strategies
Asbestos contact hygiene practices for workers
PPE and clothing
Decontamination methods
Removal and clean-up procedures
There is also a set asbestos management process to follow, as outlined by WorkSafe. This includes identifying asbestos and ACMs, assessing the risks and ways to control them, developing an asbestos management plan, having processes for accidents, incidents, and emergencies, and reviewing the asbestos management plan’s effectiveness.
5. Manage the Risks
In the event that you aren’t able to remove asbestos, or it’s not practical to do so, you can manage the risks in various ways. Sometimes, removal isn’t the best option, such as when there’s asbestos in pipe lagging, loose fibre installation, or cracked or damaged fibreboard.
In these instances, workplaces can put control measures in place, such as sealing, enclosing, or encapsulating.
Enclosing the Asbestos
If the asbestos is in good condition, then your asbestos removal expert may recommend enclosing it. This involves creating a barrier that prevents exposure and access to the asbestos.
Encapsulating the Asbestos
If the original asbestos bond is still intact, the risk of exposure is higher than leaving it in place. As a result, encapsulation is often a recommended option. A licenced asbestos team will use materials like plastic, vinyl, resin, bitumen, plaster, or cement to prevent airborne asbestos fibres.
Sealing the Asbestos
To prevent asbestos fibres from becoming airborne, some asbestos experts rely upon the sealing technique. This method tends to be used as a temporary way in which to manage the risk before removal or enclosing can take place.
Leave it in the Capable Hands of an Expert Team
With so many rules and regulations surrounding asbestos exposure and management, it’s crucial to contact experts so that you know what to do next. Every workplace needs to have an asbestos management plan, and there are several steps in between to establish the best course of action.
Before you start trying to navigate the complicated world of asbestos requirements on your own, align yourself with the best asbestos removalists in the industry.