Minimising the Risk of Asbestos Nationwide

Construction and maintenance workers should avoid creating asbestos dust from scraping, brushing, rubbing or cutting damaged insulation. Insulation damage should be reported to the appropriate authority, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Manager.If you work in this area, determine whether asbestos is present before beginning work and take appropriate precautionary measures.Public and commercial building owners should keep an inventory of asbestos-containing materials to inform users, authorities and contractors.Homeowners should receive expert advice before removing materials that may contain asbestos. If you think your home may contain asbestos, check regularly for signs of wear or damage.However, you can't always tell just by looking at a material. If in doubt, have it analyzed by a qualified professional, who can be found by looking up experts in "asbestos abatement /removal".If you must handle small amounts of damaged asbestos-containing materials, follow these steps: Keep other people and pets away, and seal off the work area; Wet the material to reduce dust, making sure it is not in contact with electricity; If possible, do not cut or damage the materials further and do not break them up; Clean the work area afterwards using a damp cloth, not a vacuum cleaner, and seal the asbestos waste and cloth in a plastic bag. Check with your local municipality on how to dispose of asbestos-containing waste; Wear appropriate protective clothing, including a single-use respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); and Wash or dispose of clothing and shower after finishing the job.

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