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Protective Gear Needed to Remove Asbestos

This is no time to take an amateur approach. Standard paint masks and respirators cannot filter out the microscopic fibers of asbestos that may be released into the air during abatement. A dual-cartridge, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator is needed. The proper filters are color coded purple. Be aware that these respirators will not securely fit over a beard. They cover half the face and it's difficult to breathe in them, especially during physical work. Having any medical condition that restricts your breathing should stray you away from asbestos abatement.

Several pairs of disposable coveralls should be available for each person who will be working directly with the asbestos-containing products or assisting those who do. A fresh pair will be needed each time anyone enters the contained work area. Every time a worker leaves the containment area during the project, their coveralls and all their gear (except the respirator) must be disposed of in a properly sealed asbestos waste bag. This is to prevent any asbestos-containing dust from releasing into the rest of the house.

The coveralls should have an attached hood and the hood should be drawn tight around the face. Workers should not wear anything under the hood such as a cap. because this will break the seal against the face and will allow asbestos-containing dust to get inside the coveralls. The coveralls may have attached booties, but also wear rubber boots (without laces or other fasteners) to avoid tearing the coveralls. Boots should be sealed to the legs of the coveralls with tape to prevent dust from falling into them. Rubber boots can either be washed off or disposed of as contaminated debris.

Each worker will need a pair of goggles to cover as much of the upper face as possible. These should not be the kind with vent holes around the sides, as the purpose is to protect workers' eyes from microscopic asbestos fibers. Workers will also need several pairs of durable, expendable rubber gloves. The kind sold for dishwashing and housecleaning are satisfactory, but will need to be disposed of as contaminated waste after each use. Stretchy latex gloves, such as those sold in home improvement stores, are not thick enough to provide protection because they tear too easily. Ordinary work gloves are also insufficient because of their absorbency and they are rarely long enough to overlap the sleeves of the coverall.

If workers leave the containment area during the project, make sure to wet down the protective clothing with the spray bottle. Clean off the rubber boots, goggles, and respirator with clean wet rags. Remove the clothing while standing in the air-lock and place the coveralls and gloves in a waste disposal bag. Remove the respirator after everything else has been cleaned and waste has been sealed in a waste bag.

In essentially all states and localities, there are no legal documents that require a homeowner (or unpaid helpers) to wear protective gear for removing their own asbestos-containing material (ACM). There are, however, clear federal requirements, from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), for paid workers. These provide a reliable guide for homeowners to protect themselves.

Precautions to Take While Removing Asbestos

The methods and gear used by professionals to protect themselves is the best guide to follow for anyone who plans to remove their own asbestos-containing materials. During high risk abatement projects, when highly friable material is spread over a whole wall or ceiling, the necessary precautions can be complex and expensive.

Even if the ACM can be contained in a "glove bag" for removal, or is encapsulated in a strong surrounding material such as vinyl flooring, workers should wear airtight, disposable clothing and respirators. They should keep the material wet throughout the process, avoid cutting or breaking the material, and make sure the material is sealed into properly labeled disposal bags for the licensed landfill.

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