Removing asbestos in workplaces - Compliance ... - WorkSafe Victoria

General requirements for all asbestos removalNon-friable removal160. Enclose the removal area as far as reasonably practicable.Both friable and non-friable removal161. The ACM needs to be removed in small, pre-cut sections with minimaldisturbance to reduce the generation of airborne asbestos fibres as much aspossible. Wherever reasonably practicable, a HEPA-fitted vacuum cleanerneeds to be used and waste material needs to be immediately placed inappropriate wetted containers.Wet injection (friable ACM)162. This method involves injecting water or a water-based solution directly intofriable ACM. It is a process that requires specific training in relation to theuse of the equipment and the process.Decontamination facilities and methods163. Decontamination facilities are required for:• decontaminating the work area• decontaminating tools and equipment• personal decontamination.Decontaminating the work area164. Asbestos-contaminated dust and debris must be collected in a safemanner and the asbestos removal area must be decontaminated (payingparticular attention to walls, ledges, fittings and furnishings). Two types ofdecontamination procedures may be used – wet and dry decontamination.165. Wet decontamination (or wet/damp wiping) involves the use of damp ragsto collect settled dust (see Appendix P). Similar to the wet spray method, thismethod of decontamination needs to be used in combination with a drydecontamination method. For example, a HEPA-fitted vacuum cleaner may beused initially to clean the area, followed by damp rags to collect any residualdust. For very small non-friable removal work, use of damp rags alone may beadequate. Employees must be trained in an appropriate procedure to ensuredust is collected and disposed of correctly (and not distributed elsewhere).166. Wet wiping may be used in an area that is isolated where employees arewearing appropriate PPE and bigger pieces of debris have been pickedup and placed in waste containers. Cotton rags that do not leave bits onclean surfaces may be soaked in a bucket of water, folded in half or quartersand wrung out. The rag can then be used to wipe the contaminated surfaceand may be re-folded so a clean surface of the rag is used (this may berepeated until all clean surfaces of the rag are used). All used rags must bedisposed of as asbestos waste. Care needs to be taken to avoid any potentialelectrical hazards.Warning: Never re-soak a contaminated rag as this will contaminate the water.If contamination of the bucket of water is avoided, no special precautions areneeded for disposal of the water.WorkSafe Victoria Compliance code / Removing asbestos in workplaces 33