While you might wear an old pair of shorts and a singlet while undertaking general home maintenance and repairs, the same can’t be said when it comes to asbestos. Asbestos removal can be dangerous, especially as the tiny fibres released into the air can lead to a number of diseases and illnesses, like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

The best option regarding asbestos removal is to contact the experts for help, but if you’re determined to put your DIY skills to use with the removal of non-friable asbestos, you’ll need the following equipment and PPE.  

 

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

If you are working in any environment where asbestos is or might be present, a respirator or RPE should be worn at all times. But before you grab a fresh medical-grade mask, know that asbestos removal requires a higher level of protection. 

According to the New Zealand Guidelines for the Management and Removal of Asbestos, the task you perform with asbestos involved can determine the type of respirator you need.  

If you’re: 

• Erecting an enclosure to prevent damage to ACM 

• Inspecting poor-condition friable asbestos 

• Sampling materials to detect asbestos 

• Working with asbestos cement (such as hand-sawing or hand-drilling) 

• Removing non-friable asbestos (like vinyl tiles, asbestos cement sheets, and ceiling tiles)  

You will need a disposable half face-piece particulate or half face-piece particulate filter respirator with a p2 filter.  

However, if you’re working near friable asbestos insulation with possible asbestos disturbance, you’ll need a full face-piece particulate filter and cartridge respirator with a p3 filter.  

If you’re performing any maintenance work involving the removal of friable asbestos, you will need any of the following with a p3 filter:  

• A full face-piece particulate filter-powered respirator  

• A full face-piece positive-pressure demand airline respirator 

• A full suit or hood with continuous flow airline respirator  

 

Overalls

It’s easy to assume that you can simply wear old clothing when working with asbestos, but WorkSafe recommends disposable or washable overalls that are impervious to asbestos dust. Always wear a larger size than you are to ensure a comfortable fit, and wear your overalls over your boots rather than tucked in. 

If your overalls are single-use, you can dispose of them as asbestos waste. If they are washable, ensure they are only washed at laundry facilities specifically established for asbestos-contaminated clothing. Never wash clothing contaminated with asbestos in your home or a public laundromat.  

 

Footwear 

Appropriate footwear can be as important as a respirator or overalls for ensuring asbestos doesn’t make its way back home with you. Non-laced footwear is always the best option for ease of cleaning, but if you have laced boots, you can also wear disposable boot covers over the top of your footwear to keep them asbestos fibre-free. 

All reusable PPE, such as boots and respirators, should be decontaminated with a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner should have a HEPA filter, and you can wipe down your PPE, including boots, with a damp single-use cloth once you’ve finished vacuuming.  

 

Gloves  

WorkSafe and the most reputable asbestos removal experts recommend wearing gloves with disposable overalls. Disposable gloves are the best option, which can be disposed of as asbestos waste after working with this hazardous material. It’s also important to tape your gloves at the wrist to the overalls to prevent dust from entering your sleeves. 

 

Best Equipment for Restricted Asbestos Removal Work 

If you’re working as an asbestos removalist removing friable asbestos, you’ll need to take great care not to expose yourself or others to asbestos fibres. WorkSafe recommends the following PPE when carrying out restricted asbestos removal work: 

• Full-face positive-pressure airline respirator with eye protection 

• Disposable overalls with hood 

• Gloves with wrists taped 

• Large overalls for a roomy fit 

• Non-laced safety footwear with disposable slippers over 

• A hood over the respirator straps 

• An air intake unit with cartridges  

However, a full-face, positive-pressure airline respirator is not mandatory if removalists have a negative-pressure respirator.  

What Happens If You Don’t Wear PPE? 

As frustrating and expensive as it can be to purchase PPE for asbestos removal or asbestos-related tasks, it might just save your life. Asbestos exposure is the number one workplace killer in New Zealand, with an estimated 170 related deaths annually. However, WorkSafe says at least 220 people die annually from preventable asbestos-related diseases.  

Failure to wear PPE can mean that you inhale asbestos fibres, potentially leading to life-threatening illnesses decades later. Ask yourself whether you’d prefer to save money or your life.  

 

Protect Yourself, Hire the Experts 

All asbestos-related tasks present risks, whether you’re working with friable or non-friable asbestos. If you’re unsure about purchasing the most appropriate gear, or you need to remove friable asbestos, call in the experts. Trained asbestos removalists in NZ have everything they need to ensure safe asbestos removal or management for your peace of mind.