Even today, renovators and construction workers are still threatened by the presence of asbestos on construction sites. Undertaking renovations without considering the asbestos problem could ruin their health. Once upon a time it was the miracle product, used in all kinds of sauces, associated with multiple materials.
In Quebec, commercial building owners are now responsible for identifying materials that contain asbestos in their buildings. This, of course, in order to prevent asbestosis. But what about residential homes?
Of course, since the use of asbestos only stopped in 1995. The very large proportion of our housing stock is likely to contain more or less asbestos.
Without being exhaustive, you can find asbestos in:
– Vermiculite insulation.
– Compounds masticating for plaster. (Cement has joint.)
– Stucco ceilings before the 1970s.
– In the form of floor tile.
– Suspended ceiling panels.
– Refractory bricks for boiler rooms or fireplaces.
– As refractory plate for boiler rooms or fireplaces.
– In the insulating ducts of old water heating pipes.
– In the form of a flaky lining put on steel structures to improve the fire resistance of the building.
In such a context, you will understand that caution is called for, especially if the date of construction of your building is before 1995. Without being alarmist, you should know that the possibility of encountering them remains high. This is why we recommend taking samples for analysis as a preliminary step in the construction process. You can find laboratories on the Internet. We freely recommend Airtests.ca. In the event that the laboratory finds asbestos, be aware that the simple fact of finding 0.1% asbestos triggers the asbestos protocol. You will have no choice but to apply all the rigors and pay the resulting costs. We know that many people tend to minimize the 0.1%, but that is the red line.
Here are 4 important questions to ask yourself about asbestos, the answers will help you better characterize your work site.
1. Have you had your materials analyzed?
By definition, a material is dangerous when it contains at least 0.1% asbestos. The work must be qualified according to one of the 3 risk protocols: low, medium or high.
2. Is your asbestos friable or not friable?
If the asbestos is non-friable: you can follow the low risk protocol under certain other conditions.
If the asbestos is friable: You can follow the medium or high-risk protocol, depending on the use of glove bags or on the quantity of material removed in cubic feet.
3. Concerning waste
Are you going to remove less than 1 cubic foot? (low or medium risk)
More than 1 cubic foot, but less than 3 cubic feet? (high risk)
More than 3 cubic feet? (high risk + regular air test)
4- What is the type of construction site:
Low risk: See the list of equipment
Moderate risk: mainly bag and gloves and others
High Risk: “The Total.”
Here is a list of the main equipment needed to protect against asbestos.
For low risk.
– Half mask and P100 filter (R7502 and R7093).
– Safety helmet (TA14LR).
– Safety glasses (YA12E93101).
– Gloves to protect from cuts (GS13SXGPU).
– Depending on the nature of the work.
-.Hand pumps for wetting materials (SACC2).
-.Dust shroud (SAH7, SAH8, SAH9, SAH15, SAH18).
-.Vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter (SAD4 or SAD6).
Moderate risk (use of glove bag).
-.Glove bag according to pipe orientation and diameter (SAHR10, SAHR14, SAHR18)
– Half mask and P100 filter if chrysotile asbestos (R7502 and R7093).
– PAPR if asbestos is amosite or crocidolite (RNPR501 or R6800PF).
– Disposable coveralls (TyvekTM or equivalent) (V55594 or V52).
– Safety helmet (TA14LR).
-.Safety glasses (YA12E93101).
– Gloves to protect from cuts (GS13SXGPU).
– Regulatory signs indicating asbestos work (ASBESTOS).
Containment equipment.
– Orange Rip-free tarp or equivalent (SACTT2).
– Red tape or blue tape (SAE2 or SAE2B).
– Green tape to protect painted surfaces (SAE4 or SAE5).
– Nashua glue (SAE9).
– Zipper closure (zipper), (SACCZ).
– Manual pumps to wet the materials (SACC1 or SACC2).
– Vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter (SAD4 or SAD6).
Material to work with.
– Polyester scrubbing brush (SAED5).
– Steel brush (SAED6).
– Flexible knife 1 ¼” (SAED7).
– 6.5″ sliding pliers (SAE667).
– Multi-pivot pliers (SAED8).
High risk.
– Disposable coveralls (TyvekTM or equivalent) (V55594 or V52).
– Safety helmet (TA14LR).
– Safety glasses (YA12E93101).
– Gloves to protect from cuts (GS13SXGPU).
– Regulatory signs indicating asbestos work (ASBESTOS).
Containment equipment.
– Orange Rip-free tarp or equivalent (SACTT2).
– Red tape or blue tape (SAE2 or SAE2B).
– Green tape to protect painted surfaces (SAE4 or SAE5).
– Nashua glue (SAE9).
– Zipper closure (zipper), (SACCZ).
– Pressure gauge to measure the negative pressure of the containment (SAHM2).
– Showers and pumps for worker decontamination (SAH6 and SAH6P).
– Air purification device suitable for the volume of air to be purified. (4 air changes per hour minimum and negative pressure between 1 to 4 Pascal, for Quebec) (SAH1, SAH2, SAH2MA, SAH4, SAH4MA).
Material to work with.
– Manual pumps to wet the materials (SACC1 or SACC2).
– Waterproof boots with steel sole and cap (VC8040).
– Vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter (SAD4 or SAD6).
– Polyester scrubbing brush (SAED5).
– Steel brush (SAED6).
– Flexible knife 1 ¼” (SAED7).
– CP240 or Fiberlock (SAHCP240 or SHFIB20)
– Clear and yellow bag for asbestos waste (SAC3350C, SAC3350).
– Container bag if required (SAHS20 or SAHS40).
– Arrange for a firm to sample air quality if more than 3 ft3 of material removal (AIRTEST.ca).
As you can see, simply removing 3 cu. ft. of material containing only a small percentage (0.1%) causes quite a stir. The cost of acquiring all the equipment is obviously very expensive, especially for those who would like to do it only once. In addition, the labour force must be qualified and certified to do so.
That is why we want to warn individuals who would like to do this work. Often, they will minimize the risk and cut the round corners. The most common mistakes are that they will not use the right respirator by taking half a mask when they need a PAPR. Sometimes they even choose a full-face mask because they believe it to provide more protection. They put on a coverall, but no shower or decontamination compartment. They often don’t use wetting agents to control dust. They have no air purifier (negative pressure). In short, they put themselves at risk in addition to contaminating their homes and entire neighbourhoods. And this, of course, in the greatest secrecy. We strongly recommend the services of a specialized contractor. Sanosil Canada is the ideal partner for you.
You can purchase all this equipment at Sylprotec. You can buy online or go directly to their store in Saint-Leonard. There you will find a wide range of safety equipment, posters, first-aid kits and sound advice.
Sylvain Patrice f.p.t
By the same author:
Segregation (sorting) and handling.
Environmental risk management measures.
Allow us to introduce you to the general principles of the locking procedure (padlocking).