Asbestos Is Still Out There

As Baby boomers leave and retire, they take with them experience, and knowledge leaving a void. That void can harbor old problems, thought to have disappeared. One of those problems is the presence of Asbestos in buildings and building materials. When not dealt with properly, this is what can happen. Please refer to an OSHA News release dated February 25, 2009. “

OSHA proposes $273,000 in Fines against a Jamestown NY Employer”

So what can you do when it’s in your space?

Basic Asbestos Debris Cleanup Advice

In most cases, where the asbestos is not damaged, it is safest (and least costly) to leave the asbestos-containing materials alone.

Friable, damaged asbestos materials in a living space, work area or located where the asbestos is likely to be carried to an occupied space, need professional asbestos remediation.

If you are cleaning-up in a building area where asbestos products may have been dislodged, such as a basement where asbestos pipe insulation has fallen to the floor, the US EPA recommends avoiding causing airborne dust and debris - a condition that could be harmful.

• If hiring a contractor to remove asbestos, the US EPA guidelines for asbestos removal requires protection of the rest of the building, proper asbestos waste disposal, and any other local or state environmental regulations be followed. In most areas contractors must be specially licensed to test or remove asbestos from buildings. In some areas it may be legal for a building owner or another contractor to remove asbestos, though it still must be disposed-of legally.


• Do not vacuum clean or dry-sweep up asbestos debris that has fallen to the floor - you'll simply cause it to become airborne – which can cause potentially dangerous medical conditions. Professional asbestos abatement contractors use a combination of wet mopping and HEPA vacuuming to clean up asbestos from building surfaces.


• Do not disturb asbestos or asbestos-suspect material if you do not absolutely have to do so.


• Seal the work area off from the rest of the building if asbestos material has to be disturbed. Poly plastic sheeting and duct tape may suffice, but be sure the duct tape is adhered continuously to the plastic edges and that it binds securely to the wall surface. It may be necessary to secure the plastic using nailed-furring strips. You don't want your containment barrier to fall down in the middle of a cleanup project. Use an air-lock and change footwear and protective clothing or take similar precautions so that you do not bring asbestos debris into other building areas.


• Wear an approved respirator, protective clothing, gloves, hat, goggles that can be disposed-of after the cleanup.


• Wet the asbestos with a hand sprayer when moving it;


• Drill or cut only if it is absolutely necessary, then do it outside (and having wet the material)


• Demolition of asbestos materials during removal should keep the asbestos in the largest feasible pieces, not in many small pieces.


• Bag the removed asbestos in sealed plastic bags and (according to the EPA) dispose of it in an approved land-fill (check with your community building department and your state environmental regulatory association)


• Perform a final cleanup of the work area using wet mops, sponges, disposable rags/ wipes. Do not track wet asbestos-contaminated water into other building areas.

Need a simple and easy OSHA compliance solution? Train your employees quickly and easily! Our easy to follow Asbestos Awareness Training Program will ensure your employees are trained to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1001 and 1926.1101, and 29 CFR 1910.1028. You will also need a complete written plan as well to be in compliance.

VIEW ALL OF OUR ASBESTOS SAFETY PLANS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS