Asbestos Removals Marlborough investigates how asbestos is removed and disposed. PLUS, why you shouldn’t attempt removal yourself.
The rules can be slightly confusing regarding asbestos removals – particularly with what you can remove yourself and when you need to call in the experts. As a result, it is not uncommon to hear homeowners unknowingly removing a small portion of asbestos to realise that the job at hand is far too complex and that professional assistance is required.
Then there’s the contamination issue – which could see you unable to live in your home until the asbestos is correctly removed. Disturbing asbestos can leave you with a contamination area that could cause a massive disruption to your home or office space.
Asbestos Removals Marlborough recommends that a professional carry out any asbestos removal work. Not only for your health but also to prevent additional contamination in and around your home or office.
Who Can Remove Asbestos In New Zealand
Only a licensed asbestos removalist expert can remove any friable class A or asbestos over 10m2. This doesn’t mean you can remove 10m2 at a time. If you have more than 10m2 of asbestos, you must contact a professional and licensed asbestos remover. It is advised only to use a WorkSafe New Zealand licensed asbestos removalist company.
It is also important to remember that if you have attempted or have removed any asbestos from your home, you must inform any contractors who come to work on your renovation or home. Failing to do so can not only risk the health and well-being of your contractor but could also lead to additional contamination. This can come at a considerable cost to homeowners.
Where Do You Dispose of Asbestos
You cannot dispose of any asbestos-containing materials in your weekly rubbish collection. Asbestos needs to be correctly and safely disposed of to prevent additional contamination and problems.
Suppose you are removing under 10m2 of non-friable asbestos yourself. In that case, you will need to prep the area and section it off correctly, have ample protective clothing, a clean-up routine, and know where to dispose of the rubbish – including your vacuum bag and filter. You can only dispose of asbestos waste at approved landfills. Contact your local council for your approved asbestos disposal areas.
An approved licensed asbestos removal expert will prep your asbestos area, protect the remainder of the home, and dispose of your asbestos safely. However, choosing to undertake any asbestos removal yourself can be a costly and dangerous idea.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you enlist the advice of a professional before attempting any work yourself to understand the risks and problems removing this toxic fibre poses. If you are tempted to remove a small portion of asbestos yourself, it is also recommended you speak to a health protection officer from your local public health unit to get a clear picture of what asbestos can do and the reasons why you shouldn’t attempt to remove it yourself.
Choosing to remove any asbestos yourself can lead to additional contamination of your home, and put your health at serious risk. An approved asbestos removalist can not only recognise asbestos, and provide you with the best advice for removal, they can also ensure the area is safe, and the asbestos is correctly disposed.
Need any advice? You know who to call.