Carry out decontamination of the work area and tools according to ARCP.

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Once the sheet removal has been completed, the contractor should clean up all debris and loose dust from structural items including the sheeting framework, safety mesh, sisalation, etc., wetting down and vacuuming as is found necessary until completely clean. Where debris has been deposited onto topsoil, the top layer of soil should be skimmed clean to the satisfaction of the Superintendent.

Bags which have contained asbestos material should not be reused. Bags marked for asbestos waste should not be used for any other purpose. Bags should be twisted tightly, folded over and the neck secured in the folded position with adhesive tape, or any other effective method.

Once the wrapping and bagging of asbestos cement sheets and debris has been completed, the work area, with particular emphasis on the timbers where these are to remain from which asbestos cement sheet has been removed, should be thoroughly vacuumed in order to remove any residual traces of asbestos debris and contaminated dust. This process is to be followed by the application of a tinted PVA or similar acrylic emulsion using low pressure spray equipment.

The bags, once removed from the work area should be either:

(a) Placed in a solid (appropriately lined) waste bin or skip which should be secured at the completion of each days’ work;

(b) Removed from site by an approved E.P.A. licensed carrier. Asbestos waste should not be stored on site.

(c) Routes of removal from the work area to the waste skip should be designated prior to the commencement of each removal contract. In occupied buildings, movement of bags from the work area to the waste skip should be performed out of normal working hours. The means of movement of waste bags through the building should be made at the discretion of the superintendent following discussions with the contractor.

The removal of waste bags from the work area through the decontamination area should involve a “production line” operation as detailed below:

• One worker is to be located in each section of the decontamination area.
• Waste bags are to be passed and “showered out” to remove any asbestos residue.
• Once removed from the decontamination area the waste bags are to be double bagged prior to disposal.

Where timbers are to be removed and recycled these are to be vacuumed and wet wiped to remove any residual asbestos contamination.

Vacuuming down of protective clothing and respirators, as a substitute method of decontamination should not be allowed. No contaminated protective clothing should be worn under any circumstances other than in the work area.

All tools, plant and equipment shall be decontaminated or stored in sealed containers labelled as “Containing asbestos materials”, according to manufacturer’s requirements , SWMS, ARCP and the Code of Practice.

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