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Learn about asbestos abatement and removal from government sources

A person does not necessarily need a degree beyond high school to perform the hazardous work of removing asbestos from a building. However, workers must complete at least 40 hours of in-house training approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Association, covering such areas as hazards and precautions, before becoming eligible for licensing in their state.

I recommend: The Bureau of Labor Statistics website explains the training required to become an asbestos abatement worker. The Environmental Protection Agency gives links to state-approved training courses. Federal Occupational Health offers training for asbestos abatement and removal companies.

Contact a state-licensed asbestos abatement company to fulfill training requirements

Whether you are starting an asbestos removal services company or need the services of one, you will have to ensure that the workers have proper training and certification in your state. Luckily, there are resources in each state to assist with the training for your asbestos removal.

I recommend: Seagull Environmental Training is a company that provides asbestos abatement worker training in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ACC Environmental Consultants can provide asbestos training for your workforce.

Stay in compliance with periodic retraining for asbestos removal

Asbestos abatement contractors must keep up to speed with regulations and training even after they have certification from their state. Contractors must complete an annual training to review proper methods and stay on top of new developments.

I recommend: The Community College of Rhode Island offers annual review classes for asbestos abatement contractors. Conversion Technology is an Atlanta, Ga. company that conducts trainings and assists in helping companies with environmental, safety and health training.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Realize that OSHA fines for ignoring an asbestos problem or not properly training employees in asbestos abatement can devastate a business. Keep that in mind when you're planning to get rid of asbestos.

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Test for the necessity of asbestos remediation

Asbestos was used in a wide variety of products before it was determined to be harmful. The industries that most often used products made from asbestos are shipping yards, power plants and oil refineries. Asbestos was also used an a variety of building and insulation materials, so any type of business may be at risk. Have a contractor inspect the premises or collect samples of any item you believe may contain asbestos and send them to a lab for testing.

I recommend: ServiceMagic will perform tests and notify you if you are in need of an asbestos removal contractor. Air Tech International Corp. provides a kit for collecting your own samples. The samples should be sent to a lab such as Asbestos TEM Laboratories Inc.

Get rid of asbestos products

Buildings that contain items made from asbestos will require an asbestos removal service. Hire a certified professional to remove and dispose of the asbestos. Understand how much you should expect to spend when you need to hire asbestos abatement companies.

I recommend: Contact LVI Services for asbestos removal services. Search The Blue Book for asbestos remediation companies in your area. Cost Helper provides estimates for asbestos removal costs.

Know what to do if you or your staff were exposed prior to asbestos abatement and removal

The first thing to do following exposure to asbestos is seek medical help. Contact a physician for an immediate appointment. You may wish to file a lawsuit if a contractor has used products made from asbestos in your office or building. Your claim must be filed before the statute of limitations in your state for asbestos exposure (where applicable), personal injury/negligence and wrongful death has expired.

I recommend: Statutes of Limitations shows which states have asbestos limitations, and information on wrongful death and personal injury/negligence in every state. Hire a law firm such as Steinberg Law Firm P.C. to pursue your legal claim.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Have the insulation in your building tested by an asbestos removal contractor. Insulation is commonly made from vermiculite, a naturally occurring material that is typically found near asbestos deposits.

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Surfactant

Asbestos removal surfactant is a concentrated formula, added to water, designed to assist in the water's penetration of airborne fibers released during the removal process. With many surfactant formulas, the penetration rate is faster with a lower ratio of dilution.

I recommend: AirGas.com discusses the capabilities and uses of its specific asbestos removal surfactant, which has been specially formulated in order to "wet out" all different types of asbestos, including amphobiles, amosite and crocidolite.

Negative air pressure equipment

Since negative air pressure in a building or structure may pull gasses such as water vapor and radon into the establishments, it is important for asbestos removal teams to employ negative air pressure equipment. The equipment properly regulates and ventilates the air during construction and demolition projects.

I recommend: The United States Department of Labor discusses the standards with which such equipment must comply, including the fact that such ventilation systems are mandated to be equipped with HEPA filers. Lifa.net offers a diagram of such equipment as well as a discussion on what the machines offer by way of functionality.

Friable and non-friable asbestos

Asbestos materials that can be transformed from a solid material into a powder by manual methods when dry are known as friable asbestos. This includes tiles, plasters and thermal insulation. Non-friable asbestos contains an agent that hardens it, such as cement or vinyl.

I recommend: Find the comparison and discussion of friable and non-friable asbestos at WiseGeek.com.

Ambient air sampling

Ambient air sampling for asbestos is accomplished by collecting a specific volume of air through a mixed cellulose ester filter. The filter is then shipped to a laboratory that tests and analyzes it to determine how much asbestos, if any, may be found at that tested location.

I recommend: EPA.gov discusses ambient air sampling for asbestos, as well as which methods are utilized in the United States for analyzing such samples.

Glovebag

Objects and areas that need to be decontaminated are surrounded by glovebags. Glovebags are impervious enclosures designed to catch and contain all of the asbestos fibers that may be released during the process of asbestos abatement and removal.

I recommend: ExtraPackaging.com discusses the glovebags they manufacture, discussing some of the 15 differently-styled glovebags it offers to consumers.

Critical barrier

Also referred to as the final plastic barrier, the critical barrier in asbestos removal consists of the one or more plastic layers that have been constructed to seal off all the openings to an asbestos abatement and removal work area. It is implemented in order to keep the fibers from transitioning to an already decontaminated area.

I recommend: Ohio.gov discusses the importance of the critical barrier as well as some legal mandates regarding the implementation of the plastic sheeting during asbestos removal.

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Make sure you contain the area for asbestos removal

Because asbestos poses a health risk for anyone not wearing protective gear, you must fully contain the area in which the asbestos removal or abatement will occur so that no asbestos fibers get released into the rest of the building or into the environment at large.

I recommend: Asbestos-Abatement.com provides a thorough guide to containing an area in which you perform asbestos removal, including the materials needed to build a containment area. Eagle Industrial Hygiene Associates, an asbestos removal service, describes its containment process on its website.

Check that workers wear safety gear to protect them during asbestos removal

Exposure to asbestos, especially long-term exposure or intensive exposure, can create severe health problems. Therefore, full protective gear is of utmost importance. The basic gear required includes a full head-to-toe disposable coverall through which asbestos fibers can't penetrate, goggles, a respirator, asbestos-proof gloves and heavy rubber boots.

I recommend: Asbestos.com provides a description of the asbestos safety gear required by OSHA for all paid workers. View an asbestos dust respirator, as well as other gear for asbestos abatement and removal safety, at PK Safety Supply.

Use asbestos abatement and removal safety guidelines when you dispose of asbestos

To minimize any health risks of the asbestos once you remove it, you need to properly dispose of the asbestos. Individual states create their own regulations around safe disposal of asbestos, though there are some overarching guidelines to follow.

I recommend: AsbestosRemovalHelp.com provides asbestos removal information, including a useful list of precautions to take when you remove asbestos. The State of Washington’s Department of Ecology provides a discussion of that state’s policies, as well as more general information on asbestos.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even if you hire an asbestos removal contractor, it's a good idea to understand the safety precautions that need to be taken during asbestos removal. Sharing the precautions with your employees or the occupants of the building can also allow them to know what to expect.