With many unsuspecting homeowners deciding to remove asbestos themselves, or unknowing builders fixing up asbestos-affected houses, Asbestos Removals Marlborough has some timely reminders to protect the health and safety of yourself, and your family and workers.
It’s not uncommon to hear of many homeowners accidentally stumbling across asbestos during DIY projects. The law in New Zealand does state that homeowners require a qualified asbestos removal expert for all friable asbestos (class A) or any asbestos-containing material for areas over 10m2 (class B). However, the rules and regulations seem to be confusing for many who attempt to remove this toxic fibre themselves.
Many do not realise the extent of the asbestos when they start removing this deadly fibre. This can leave homeowners in real trouble by causing massive contamination, which is not only highly dangerous for health and safety reasons but can also become incredibly costly.
It’s also important to understand that the total amount of asbestos-containing material is 10m2, this does not mean attempting to remove the asbestos 10m2 at a time and then halting the work.
Having a contaminated home or workplace could cost tens of thousands to fix, plus the entire area (possibly your home) will be completely out of bounds until the area is deemed safe. Releasing asbestos dust is a serious health risk for you and your family. It is highly recommended that if you suspect there is any asbestos to get a professional to check your work area before you start renovating.
Remember that asbestos if left alone and completely intact is not a health risk. Once damaged it can become a slow and painful deadly killer. An asbestos expert can advise the best way to ensure the asbestos is safe well into the future, or how to remove it correctly.
It’s also important that homeowners understand that if you do attempt to remove asbestos yourself, correctly disposing of this toxic waste is also paramount. As to understanding the protective equipment you need to have on hand to prevent any asbestos dust from contaminating other zones.
Builders Beware
Builders also need to understand the implications of working on a previous asbestos site that does not have a clearance certificate or the work that has been undertaken by the homeowner.
Once you undertake any work on the site, you may be considered liable – regardless of if you removed the asbestos or not. This will also mean the liability for the health and safety of your staff. If a homeowner has advised they have removed asbestos themselves you must seek advice to better understand what type of asbestos this was, and how much was removed before you begin work. If in doubt advising the homeowner to call in the experts for a clearance check is highly recommended.
There have been incidents where builders have chosen to undertake smaller removals themselves, however, this practice is not advised. Without the right knowledge and understanding, you could be putting yourself, your staff, and ultimately your business at stake.
Asbestos Removals Marlborough suggests educating homeowners on the possibility that asbestos could be lurking in their homes, particularly if undertaking any work on homes pre-2000. This is not only for the benefit of your health and safety but also for the homeowner and the costs associated with renovations. The discovery of asbestos could completely blow out a tight budget, and homeowners need to be educated to understand the costs associated with making damaged asbestos safe or total removal.
When it comes to home renovations, particularly for homes pre-2000 (built or renovated), the right advice must be given from the get-go. Discovering asbestos during a renovation can not only cause a huge amount of disruption to your deadlines, but it can also be deadly and incredibly costly. With a little planning and some good understanding from the professionals, you can ensure your renovation comes in on budget, is safe, and is successful without any nasty surprises.