Apogee Environmental Solutions ensures your safety throughout the asbestos removal process by rigorously adhering to Ontario regulations. Our approach centers on four critical aspects of asbestos removal safety: containment, negative pressure, decontamination, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Each of these components will be outlined in detail below.
Our goal is to spread knowledge of asbestos removal safety so everyone can understand the best practices and most importantly, advocate for the highest level of safety where it matters most. For many Canadians there is a haze surrounding the asbestos removal process due to anxiety or even fear that can come with it, at Apogee Environmental Solutions we are here to clear the air! Here we’ll take you through the first steps in any abatement project.
Containment
The initial step in any asbestos abatement project is the meticulous containment of the work area. Our team employs a process we refer to as 'arts and crafts,' where we skillfully construct an airtight enclosure using polyethylene sheets and Tuck-Tape. This enclosure isolates the project area, ensuring no asbestos fibers escape. Additionally, all materials not scheduled for demolition are securely covered with the same sheeting, while air vents are sealed, and floors are thoroughly protected.
Negative Pressure
What is negative pressure? It refers to creating a controlled pressure imbalance between the work area and the surrounding environment. By maintaining negative pressure, any potential gaps in the containment cause air to be drawn into the work area, preventing asbestos fibers released during demolition from escaping. We achieve this by equipping the containment area with air scrubbers, which function similarly to fans by pulling air in from the front and expelling it from the back. The expelled air is vented through the containment to the building’s exterior via a lay-flat polyethylene tube. Importantly, the vented air is free of asbestos fibers due to the three-stage filtration system within the air scrubbers, including a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which ensures that the air is 99.98% clean.
Decontamination
Most asbestos removal projects require a minimum of a three-stage decontamination facility, which is typically constructed outside the project area and, in some cases, outside the building if necessary. This facility is built using polyethylene sheeting and Tuck-Tape, similar to the containment structure. The first stage, known as the 'dirty room,' is where workers remove and dispose of their single-use, non-porous suits in asbestos waste bags. Next, they proceed to the 'shower room,' equipped with water, soap, and towels to thoroughly cleanse any asbestos fibers that may have adhered to their masks, boots, hands, or bodies. The final stage, the 'clean room,' is where workers can safely remove their masks and change back into their regular clothing, ready to exit the project area. Each chamber door is equipped with 2 flaps, one on the interior and one on the exterior of each doorway. The negative pressure achieved within the project area ensures these flap doors are held tightly closed.
Personal Protective Equipment
The specialized personal protective equipment (PPE) required for each worker plays a crucial role in safeguarding both the individuals on-site and those outside the project area. The cornerstone of this PPE is a single-use, non-porous suit that covers the entire body, including the head with an integrated hood. These suits are designed for one-time use and are removed in the 'dirty room,' ensuring no contamination is carried beyond the worksite.
Additionally, workers wear steel-toed rubber boots, which are tucked securely under the leg openings of the suit to ensure complete coverage. The use of rubber is critical as it prevents asbestos fibers from becoming trapped within fabric, which could then be released outside the containment area. Although Ontario regulations do not mandate rubber boots for all projects, Apogee requires their use on every job site to maximize safety.
Workers also wear single-use gloves, which, like the suits, never leave the project area. After use, these gloves are disposed of in asbestos waste bags to prevent any potential exposure.
The most vital piece of PPE is the respirator. Apogee equips workers with two types of respirators: the commonly used half-face respirator, which employs two P-100 filters to purify the air, and the powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), which covers the entire face and uses an air pump to automatically filter and supply clean air. The respirators and rubber boots are the only PPE items reused from project to project, and they are meticulously cleaned and inspected after each use to ensure they meet stringent safety standards.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog and learn more about the comprehensive measures we take to ensure safety during asbestos removal projects. At Apogee Environmental Solutions, your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can assist with your next project, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help, and we look forward to the opportunity to work with you
Author: Greg W.
Editor: Carter H.
Comments