What you need to know about Asbestos Removal and Personal Protective Equipment: Video 3

James Moyle:

Hi, my name’s Jimmy, and I’m a tradie. If you’re watching this, then you should have already watched the first two videos in the series, being Asbestos Hazards: Risks and Identification, and Setting Up Your Asbestos Work Area. If you haven’t watched them, make sure you do, and it’s best to watch them in order to gain a better understanding.

James Moyle:

Before we start, you are reminded that SafeWork New South Wales always recommends that licensed asbestos removalists be used for any amount of asbestos removal work. A licensed asbestos removalist must be used to remove more than 10 square meters of non-friable asbestos, or to remove any amount of friable asbestos materials.

James Moyle:

In this video, I’m going to show you what personal protective equipment or PPE, and what respiratory protective equipment or RPE, you must wear to protect yourself from asbestos fibers when disturbing or removing asbestos. If you are going to be working with asbestos, you need to be prepared before you start working.

James Moyle:

There are several items of PPE and RPE you will need if you are working with non-friable asbestos. These include a fit-tested disposable or non-disposable P2-class negative-pressure respirator. In this video, we are using a non-disposable P2 cartridge respirator. You should consider a non-disposable P2 respirator. They last longer, are easy to clean, and can be reused.

James Moyle:

A disposable asbestos coveralls, rated type 5, category 3. Allow one or two sizes larger for ease of fit. Single-use disposable nitrile or latex gloves. Nitrile is preferred as they are stronger. Adhesive duct tape, steel-capped, rubber-soled work shoes or gumboots with no laces, or disposable overshoes that have an anti-slip sole for placement over work shoes.

James Moyle:

You will need to be clean-shaven to ensure a good seal to your face of the RPE. Make sure you are well-hydrated because wearing asbestos PPE can be physically draining. Ensure all PPE and RPE is in the clean area to the entry of the asbestos work area. Ensure all tools and equipment to be used are placed in the asbestos work area, ready to be used on the 200-micron plastic.

James Moyle:

Ensure all equipment used for decontamination are laid out, and ready for decontaminating when leaving the asbestos work area. This includes 200-micron plastic asbestos waste bag, spray bottle, and wet wipes. Class H industrial vacuum can also be used to vacuum off visible dust on coveralls.

James Moyle:

First, lay out all PPE in order of putting on. Boot covers, coveralls, gloves, duct tape, and RPE. Now check to ensure all PPE and RPE is not damaged, and is in good working order. Pay particular attention to the filters, valves, and seals of the RPE. Put on boot covers over your steel-capped rubber-soled work shoes, and pull up around calves and tie off.

James Moyle:

If wearing gumboots or other shoes that are used for asbestos removal work only, place them at the entry of the asbestos removal area. They should still be bagged from previous use. Put them on in the asbestos removal area last. You don’t need boot covers if you have gumboots.

James Moyle:

Put on coveralls by stepping into the legs first, and then your arms. Pull the legs down over the boot covers to your ankles, and the arms over your wrists. Leave the hood off at this point. Put on your gloves. Using the adhesive duct tape, tape arms over the wrists, leaving a folded-over tag for ease of removal later. You may also want to tape around the ankles of your coveralls if they are too big.

Video 3 – Personal Protective Equipment

James Moyle:

Now, hold the RPE with the nose and mouthpiece cupped in your hand, and the two straps hanging down below your hand. Place the RPE over your nose and mouth, and pull both straps up over your hand and around your head. Position the RPE onto your face, ensuring it is comfortable, and where necessary for disposable RPE, massage the nose piece against your nose to ensure a snug and comfortable fit.

James Moyle:

Now conduct a fit check. Close off the inlet to the filter with your hands. Inhale gently. Hold for 10 seconds. Check that the face piece remains slightly collapsed, as it should. If your RPE does not seal, continue to adjust your RPE, and repeat the fit check process again until it does.

James Moyle:

Now pull the coverall hood over your straps and head, and fully zip your coveralls. Some coveralls may also have a sticking seal, so seal this as well. If there is another worker working with you, check each other’s PPE and RPE to make sure it is fitted correctly.

James Moyle:

Now you can enter the asbestos work area, taking any tools and equipment that you require to do the work. These tools and equipment should be double-bagged in asbestos bags from previous use, and only opened in the asbestos work area.

James Moyle:

Make sure you watch our other videos about working safely with asbestos, to help keep you and everyone around you safe. For more information or for a list of licensed asbestos professionals, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au/asbestos, or call 13 10 50. You can learn more about asbestos by attending the asbestos awareness course.