TYPES OF EQUIPMENT REQUIRED IN THE ASBESTOS INDUSTRY

6 Jan 2016

For those who are unfamiliar with asbestos removal procedures, you might think that the methods used would be similar to construction or demolition work. However, it is not like this at all. When it comes to handling asbestos containing materials, the work is classified as hazardous and therefore special measures need to be taken and specific types of equipment must be used.

 

Here are a few examples of the types of equipment required in the asbestos industry, but not used in any ordinary construction or demolition:

 

Negative Air Units 

 

Negative Air Units are used not only in the asbestos removal work, but also in general air duct cleaning, mold removal, restoration, construction and demolition. The main purpose of this machinery is to keep a safe environment in containment by maintaining an air pressure differential.

 

H-Class Vacuum Cleaners

 

Not just any vacuum cleaner can be used for cleaning potential hazardous materials like lead or dust from asbestos containing materials. The H-Class vacuum cleaners are specially designed for toxic materials and all of them incorporate a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Attenuation) filter.

 

Workwear

 

The classic disposable garments are not suitable for handling hazardous materials. These are usually used by painters or workers who can get dirty easily. For asbestos handling or other potential hazardous material manipulation, the workers are obliged to wear special PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). This kind of equipment is designed to withstand chemical splashes and dangerous dusts.

 

Positive air respirators

 

Positive pressure respirators are often used in the asbestos removal industry. What’s special about this particular kind of respirators is that the pressure inside exceeds the ambient air pressure outside.

 

Decontamination units

 

After finishing their working program, asbestos removers cannot simply take off their overalls and change into their regular clothes. For safety reasons, workers are required to use a Decontamination Unit (DCU).

 

The decontamination unit is a basically a portable shower with two extra rooms, one for the overalls change and one for the regular clothes.



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