Appropriate gear for handling asbestos
Posted on: 1 March 2016
Asbestos is one of the most dangerous factors when handling old buildings, as it can cause diseases that you will have to live with for the rest of your life. Handling asbestos on your own is never advised; as this is something even professionals take very seriously and handle with utmost care. However, if you're performing your own home renovation project, you might encounter asbestos whether you like it or not. In that scenario, you need to be prepared. The best way to prepare yourself is to obtain the right type of gear and know how to use it.
Respirator
One of the most important things to protect when dealing with asbestos is your respiratory system. Ordinary dust masks can be purchased almost anywhere, and they are very effective towards ordinary dust. However, if you have any suspicions that the dust might contain asbestos, you need a respirator specifically created to handle dust infested with asbestos. If you have any reason to suspect the dust might be contaminated, you should call in the experts to test for asbestos content and continue taking precautions while you wait for results.
Overalls
You also need to make sure to protect your body from the harmful implications of the asbestos. You do this by wearing overalls at all times when you suspect you might come in contact with asbestos. Choose disposable overalls rather than overalls made from cotton or other reusable materials. The cotton overall might seem more sturdy and like it keeps more harmful substances out, but it's extremely difficult to wash it effectively enough to not have any asbestos particles still stuck to it. Opt for plastic, disposable overalls that you can just throw in the bin in the end of the day and thus avoid the particles sticking to anything and coming with you out of the work area.
Shoes
Shoes don't seem like gear that is important for handling asbestos infested houses. However, without the proper shoes, your work will become much more difficult. Wear heavy boots that keeps you steady on the ground while you're working. Make sure they have a prominent pattern underneath to avoid slipping injuries. When dealing with asbestos, you should also use plastic bags or special shoe covers to keep the asbestos off your shoes. Make sure you tuck the legs of the overall into the shoes as well when you're working so that the shoes form a definitive barrier against all asbestos particles that might otherwise try to stick to your body.
For more information and tips, you may want to work with an asbestos removal company to formulate a detailed asbestos management plan for your home and renovation project.
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