Removal of Friable Asbestos Containing Materials

March 12, 2003

Application

This code of practice is binding on any employer required by the Director to adopt this code. In addition, it can be used as useful guidance for any for any establishments considering removing asbestos.

Definitions

"100 class filter" means a filter certified as being:

1. in the "100" class, and
2. of the "N", "R" or "P" class as appropriate,

as defined in Chapter 42, Part 84 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations;

"Airlock" means a system consisting of two (2) curtained doorways which allows passage in and out of a contaminated area without permitting air movement out of the contaminated area.

"Asbestos filter" means a filter certified for use with asbestos-containing dusts, as defined in Chapter 30, Part 11 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations.

"HEPA" means a filter certified as being able to capture at least 99.97 percent of particles with an average aerodynamic diameter of 0.3 microns.

"Work area" means the immediate area where asbestos-containing material is being disturbed.

Specific Requirements

1. Requirement for Isolation of Work Area

1. Where removal of asbestos-containing materials is performed in an occupied workplace, a temporary enclosure shall be constructed to prevent asbestos fibres from leaving the asbestos removal area. The enclosure shall be:
   1. constructed of polyethylene sheeting of a minimum thickness of 0.1 millimetres (4 mils) for walls and 0.15 millimetres (6 mils) for floors or a glove bag manufactured for the purpose of removing asbestos.
   2. posted with signs to restrict entry to authorized personnel.
2. Where the enclosure is not a glove bag, the enclosure shall:
   1. include provisions for an airlock, a clean room, shower area, decontamination room, and holding area for waste materials.
   2. for the duration of the work be maintained twenty-four (24) hours per day under negative pressure with a minimum of four (4) air changes per hour or a static pressure of negative five (-5) pascals (-0.02 inches of water) relative to static pressure outside the enclosure measured at a point furthest from the exhaust fan. The exhaust unit shall be equipped with HEPA filters.
   3. have any mechanical ventilation system supply or exhaust vents sealed with polyethylene sheeting. Whenever possible the ventilation system shall be turned off.

2. Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment

1. Where a glove bag is used, personnel shall wear a full body covering (including head) and a half face piece, non-powered respirator equipped with a 100 class filter or equipment offering equal or greater protection.
2. Where wet removal of friable materials is to be performed, personnel shall wear full body covering (including head) and a powered air purifying respirator equipped with either an asbestos filter or a 100 class filter or equipment offering equal or greater protection.
3. Where dry removal of friable asbestos-containing materials is to be performed, personnel shall wear full body covering (including head) and a positive pressure supplied air respirator with a full face piece or equipment offering equal or greater protection.

3. Requirements for Personal Hygiene

1. Where a glove bag is used, personnel shall remove and bag coveralls prior to either removing any respirator or leaving the work area.
2. Where removal of friable asbestos-containing material is performed without a glove bag, street clothes must be removed and left in the clean area of the enclosure. Protective clothing as set out in section 2 shall be worn in the work area. Prior to either removing any respirator or leaving the work area, coveralls and other contaminated clothing shall be removed and sent for disposal. With the respirator still in place, personnel shall shower. When hair and body have been thoroughly wetted, the respirator can be removed. The shower shall have both hot and cold running water.
3. Toilet facilities shall be provided in or near the clean room on the decontaminated side of the enclosure.
4. No eating, drinking, or smoking is permitted in the work area.

4. Requirements for Waste Disposal

All waste shall be placed in 0.15 millimetre (6 mil) polyethylene bags with printed asbestos warning labels. These bags shall be closed and the outside cleaned before being taken to the decontamination area. They are then to be placed within a second 0.15 millimetre (6 mil) labelled bag or a labelled drum and sent to an approved landfill site.

5. Requirements for Clean-Up

1. Following removal work, any asbestos-containing materials remaining inside the work area shall be either removed using a HEPA vacuum or wet cleaning methods or adequately sealed.
2. Following the clean-up noted in clause a) and prior to removing the enclosure, the enclosure shall be left undisturbed for a period of twenty-four (24) hours with the negative air pressure unit operating.
3. Following the clean-up noted in clause a) and prior to removing the enclosure, the work area shall be evaluated by a competent person to ensure that there will be no reasonable possibility of asbestos-containing materials becoming airborne.

Requirement to Prepare Code of Practice

Where the specific requirements outlined in this Code of Practice are to be altered, a Code of Practice which includes the alterations must be approved by the Director.