Workplace safety is important. Due to this, stakeholders and general workers should understand and utilize the necessary safety practices. One such issue to worry about is asbestos. The harmful substance was outlawed before 1980, but it still lingers in certain buildings, according to our team. Here are some safety tips a local asbestos abatement contractor suggests you use at work.

1. Protect Yourself

The last thing you want is for asbestos to get on your skin or in your lungs. According to The Mesothelioma Center, the number one work-related death is asbestos exposure. You should cover your hair and have the right protective work shoes or boots. In other words, if you know you're working in an environment with asbestos, you can never be too safe.

2. Use WET Cleanups

Asbestos is extremely dangerous if it becomes airborne. It's best to utilize WET methods to clean it up. You can keep the asbestos surfaces wet by using a low-pressure sprayer to prevent the particles from getting into the air.

3. Contain the Area

If you're working on a site that has asbestos, take the time to seal it off. You don't want to risk unprotected workers, civilians, or anyone else from getting it. A local asbestos abatement contractor would advise the use of negative air pressure to keep asbestos from escaping through the air. You can also seal the area off physically by using a plastic tarp.

4. Utilize Proper Disposal

Once you've gathered any asbestos materials, you don't want to just throw them in the trash. There are specific local regulations that you should consider when it comes to any materials that have been exposed to asbestos. Always use sealed containers to transport these materials. You should use the same amount of care when getting rid of your protective gear that has been exposed to asbestos.

Although it's been outlawed for years, asbestos may still linger in these old buildings. Make sure you keep yourself safe by understanding how to protect yourself against asbestos. To ensure that asbestos doesn't become airborne or hurt anyone in the area, you should have a professional local asbestos abatement contractor on hand. Contact our team at Astech for a consultation about this deadly material.