Select tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) consistent with job requirements to carry out tasks, check for serviceability, and rectify or report faults prior to commencement.

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Tools & equipment

All tools and equipment shall be selected on a “Fit for use” basis. Ensure all tools identified in the ARCP are selected, checked, and put at the work area ready for commencement of work. All electrical installations and repairs must be conducted by a qualified electrician. All electrical cables are to be treated as ‘LIVE’ until deemed safe by a qualified Electrician. All portable electrical equipment must be connected through a Residual Current Device (RCD). Double adaptors and piggyback plugs are prohibited on-site.

All switchboards shall be fitted with a lockable cover for circuit breakers and RCD’s, which does not prevent access to main switches and main isolating switches. All electrical equipment, including portable power tools, flexible extension cords, Switchboards, fixed and portable Residual Current Devices (RCD’s), must be inspected, tested, and tagged. Discuss site temporary power provisions in line with works to be undertaken.

All generators shall be fitted with a Current Limiting Device, appropriate earthing facility, information markings and warnings as per Legislation and inspected, tested, and certified by a qualified person.

Portable angle grinder should not be used for cutting applications, where a more suitable tool is available. The general use of 9-inch angle grinders is prohibited on site. Workers are to set up appropriate work facilities in all areas of works in such a way as to reduce manual handling, slips, trips and falls, UV exposure, eye damage and other mechanical or water damage to electrical leads and power tools.

Cutting Tools

Breaking through the finishing compound and cutting the reinforcing wire in the lagging are operations which can liberate considerable quantities of dust. Care should therefore be taken in the selection of tools and in keeping the dust levels in the removal area to a minimum.

Power, telephone, and fire alarm cables may lie underneath asbestos insulation. These cables must be clearly identified prior to the commencement of any cutting, as severe damage and/or hazard to the worker could result.

Service lines under insulation, particularly on turbines, are vulnerable to damage from cutting tools. Alternative routing, cabling or deactivation of such lines is suggested.

The use of any power tools in asbestos removal requires caution since not all types are suitable, particularly in regard to internal dust collection and electrical safety in wet conditions. In general, compressed air driven power tools are preferable. Where doubt exists, reference should be made to the State regulatory authority.

Spray Equipment

Surface soaking from a spray jet is useful for small areas and where a total saturation is not practicable. The spray could be from an adjustable, pistol-grip, garden hose spray, fed from a mains supply or, where no supply is readily available, from a portable pressurised vessel, such as a pump-up garden sprayer. A constant water pressure is desirable.

Total Saturation

Total saturation equipment is useful for large areas of insulation where time can be allowed for the water to soak in. The equipment consists of an injection head with its own shut-off control. These heads have numerous side holes through which water is fed into the insulation. The water flow is stopped during transfer of the head from one position to the next.

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PPE

Generally all workplaces have hazards of some description which must be assessed for their potential risk to workers.
Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to workers must be recorded including mention of training in the use of PPE. Use Register – Personal Protective Equipment Issued.

Where it is practicable to control hazards through engineering and administrative controls, such controls must be considered before the use of PPE. Human nature dictates that PPE is considered to be cumbersome and unwieldy therefore most workers will attempt to avoid what they believe is its nuisance value. Training and education are also part of the role of the PCBU. Consultation with workers will assist in the process.

PPE must be stored in a clean fully operational condition ready for use. It must be safe from interference and damage and should be easily accessible when needed. All PPE should be checked regularly, as specified by the manufacturer or supplier, to determine that it is in a serviceable condition both during storage and use. Any damaged or defective equipment should be discarded or repaired (where PPE is suitable for repair). PPE shall be disposed of in accordance with the nature of the hazard. The PPE is used to provide protection.

Refer SDS for the substance used and PPE required as well as possible effect of substance on PPE.

Rules for PPE

In order for the safety program to be effective, it is important rules are established, monitored by responsible individuals, and implemented by and at all levels within the company.
• PPE must be worn by the worker carrying out the work as prescribed for each job and for others in the workplace who may be affected by the work being undertaken.
• Workers must check with their supervisor(s) regarding any portion(s) of their job that is not understood.
• Goggles, face shields, helmets and other comparable equipment are required to fit the eye and face protection needs of the worker for each application.
• Hard hats must be worn by all workers at all times in all construction work areas, unless a risk assessment discovers otherwise and is approved by the PC.
• Gloves must be used when handling dangerous materials and for protection against acids and other chemicals which could injure the workers skin.
• Respiratory equipment is needed for protection against toxic hazardous fumes. Workers must check with the supervisors which equipment meets the need for breathing safely specific to the hazard, the activity or task.
• Steel toe capped safety shoes must be worn to reduce the risk of toe and foot injuries, unless performing roofing, rigging, or scaffolding work or when a risk assessment has been performed for finishing trades and that exemption approved by the PC.
• Safety belts are required when working on elevated work platforms where there is no guard rail protection and on certain suspended scaffolds.
• Earmuffs or approved ear plugs should be worn where there is a risk of damage to a person’s hearing.
• Jewellery including rings should not be worn on the job because of the risk of it snagging or catching on equipment, etc.
• Workers are expected to use good judgement in their personal habits. When they report to work each morning, they must be in fit condition to meet daily obligations.

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Respirators

When the use of respiratory equipment and protective clothing is required, adequate rest breaks should be provided for, taking into account the physical strain caused by the use of such equipment.

Accordingly, consultation between employers and employees should establish a normal work/rest regime to be followed in the particular circumstances depending on factors such as the type of protective equipment and method of work.

The respirator is the most important piece of equipment needed to keep you safe on an asbestos abatement project. Safety depends on keeping your lungs clean and this is done through the use of respirators, and understanding their limitations, differences and how they operate. The checking and testing of the equipment is equally as important as wearing the respirator.

Face Mask

This type of protection should be used in asbestos removal.

Protective Clothing

Asbestos does not enter the body through the skin and has no harmful effect on the skin. Thus, removal of asbestos itself does not call for the wearing of any special skin covering, although any asbestos deposited on the skin and in the hair must be scrubbed off before leaving the decontamination area.

The selection of protective clothing is therefore determined not by asbestos exposure but by climate, degree of physical exertion required, the other hazards involved in the work, and ease of decontamination.

Closely woven, disposable or washable coveralls without pockets or cuffs, but including an integral head covering, in combination with disposable overshoes, greatly assist in personal decontamination; however, these synthetic garments may make a substantial contribution to the heat stress of the individual in some environments. Trousers and coverall cuffs should be worn outside of boots and gloves. Where specific decontamination facilities are not available, the use of disposable coveralls is recommended.

As several variables influence the type and amount of clothing worn in asbestos removal, decisions on what is appropriate in the particular circumstances should always be based on consultation between employers and employees.

Laundering of Protective Clothing

All clothing worn in an asbestos removal area shall be regarded as potentially contaminated with asbestos.

As such, it is important that care is taken to ensure that the contractor, or other persons handling the clothing, fully understand the precautions necessary for handling asbestos-contaminated clothing. It is generally considered preferable that, where possible, all laundering be done on-site or in a facility provided and operated by the asbestos removalist.

Contaminated clothing may be safely laundered in a conventional washing machine separate from other laundry, provided the clothing is thoroughly wetted when discarded by the worker and not allowed to dry out until it is washed. Contaminated clothing to be laundered by a commercial laundry shall be despatched in a thoroughly wetted state in an impermeable container clearly marked Asbestos Contaminated Clothing.

Where clothes dryers are used to dry work clothes and/or overalls, the exhaust air from the unit should either pass through a filter or be discharged to the outside atmosphere. Random air monitoring may be carried out in the laundering facility to ensure laundry workers are not being exposed to asbestos dust.

The laundering of protective or work clothing in a worker’s home shall be strictly prohibited. Approved launderers only must be used.