|

|

|

|

|

|

What Gear is Legally Required for Removing Asbestos?

The legal requirements for protective gear come from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and apply exclusively to paid workers. As a homeowner removing your own asbestos-containing materials (ACM), you are not generally bound by these requirements. However, most states recommend following the same standards because they provide a clear and effective guide for protection. If an abatement contractor is hired, they will be familiar with the regulations, as compliance is necessary to maintain their license and reduce liability. Supervising the contractor's compliance should not be necessary, but because you share the liabilities to some extent, it's a good thing to be familiar with the gear the workers will be using:

• The main item is a hood-to-ankle disposable coverall made of a material that dust cannot penetrate. The coverall will probably fit snugly around your wrists and ankles with an easy fastener. The hood will draw tightly around your face. Do not wear a cap or anything else that will stick out through the opening and allow a place for dust to gather. It will be hot and damp inside the suit, so wear absorbent clothing under it. If your head sweats heavily when you work, wear an absorbent, close-fitting cap underneath.
• Your eyes will be protected with large goggles. The microscopic fibers released from asbestos-containing materials can scratch corneas and cause permanent scarring without even feeling it.
• The bottom part of your face, including your nose, will be covered by a half-mask, dual-canister respirator with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to capture asbestos. Surgical-type and painting respirator masks are not sufficient. Before committing to perofrm your own asbestos abatement, be sure you can breathe sufficiently in this kind of respirator; some medical conditions make it impossible for their sufferers to do this kind of work.
• Your hands will be encased in special gloves. The gloves should fit tightly around your hands in order to allow you to operate tools. Regular latex gloves sold for other home-improvement projects are not thick enough and tear too easily for this work. Household rubber gloves can be used, but make sure they don't have holes or tears in them. Seal the cuffs of the gloves with tape to the sleeves of the protective suit and make sure there are several inches of overlap.
• Make sure to wear boots made of molded rubber, also known as wellington or rubber boots, that lack laces or any other type of fastening feature that can collect dust. Again, make sure the boots come well up over the legs of the suit, and seal the tops to the suit with tape.

Try buying all of the specialized gear from a company that advertises "safety equipment and clothing." Be sure to verify, from labels or by asking the merchant, that the gear is rated for protection from asbestos. This is particularly important when it comes to the respirator. There are various grades of HEPA filters, and you need the ones tested and certified to capture asbestos fibers.

All of this gear will be removed before leaving the work area (each time a worker leaves the work area) and, except the respirator, the other gear will be disposed of as asbestos-contaminated waste. If you need more than one work session, you will need a fresh suit of protective gear.

If you or a loved one
have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or another form of

asbestos related ailment, please
please enter your information below for a free packet.

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone Number:

Email:

Diagnosis:

Select... Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Asbestosis Unknown

Comments:

Show Your Support

Free Wristbands
Get an Asbestos Awareness Wristband. Read More

VA Claim Help

Support Book

Cancer Support Book
Get a Free Copy of Lean on Me - Cancer Through a Carer's Eyes. Read More

In Your Area

Asbestos Exposure
Learn about asbestos exposure and legal options in your area. Read More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: Verify Here.