How to Dispose of Asbestos in Australia?

Any asbestos product or material that is available for disposal is considered asbestos waste. Personal protective equipment, contaminated materials, tools, and damp rags are all included in the waste.

Asbestos waste can be classified as either “hazardous” (or “special”) or “special”. Asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer, according to the Control of Asbestos Regulations Australia 2012. It is important to properly dispose of this dangerous material.

Asbestos removal and maintenance can be a difficult task for both homeowners and commercial property owners/users. Exposure to microscopic, airborne fibers can be dangerous for your health. It can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

You must adhere to the Health and Safety Executive’s guidelines and take all precautions to protect yourself and your family. To reduce the exposure risk, the Australian government has established well-established protocols, protocols, and practices for the proper management of asbestos-containing material (ACMs).

Today’s article will explain the steps involved in asbestos disposal. You should read the entire article carefully to ensure you understand all details and get the most from it. Continue reading!

Can You Remove Asbestos Yourself?

Old equipment or material may contain asbestos. The old brake pads and clutch lines of your car can contain asbestos. This equipment must be disposed of as asbestos waste.

Usually, asbestos-contaminated soil is created by mixing demolition rubble with clean soil. Poor housekeeping is a major reason, especially on industrial sites. Inadequate waste disposal practices are another reason. To avoid contamination, the law requires that waste be stored securely.

Asbestos removal is dangerous because it is hazardous when the material is moved. People can inhale the fibres from the asbestos-containing material. The fibres could cause serious damage to the lungs.

Even if you don’t have the necessary qualifications or experience with asbestos work, it can be dangerous to release fibres into the air. This is not only dangerous for you, but also for anyone who visits the area for a prolonged period of time.

It is important to get advice from your local council if you are trying to remove asbestos by yourself. You must follow the guidelines/protocols for safe removal and disposal. It is a good idea to consult asbestos specialists who are experienced in the removal and disposal of this material.

Step by Step Procedure for disposing of Asbestos Waste

Asbestos can cause cancer and is known to be a carcinogenic material. It can be extremely harmful to the environment and human health. Asbestos is a hard material that doesn’t easily break down. It remains in the air for a very long time.

Step 1: Identify Hazardous Waste

Material containing more than 0.1% asbestos is considered hazardous. It is best to follow the HSE’s protocols for handling hazardous waste. Do not mix asbestos waste with other types of waste materials.

Double-bag asbestos waste and place it in a locked and covered container. This includes any over-shoes or sampling wastes as well as protection equipment that might have come in contact with the hazardous material.

Asbestos waste should be disposed of off of personal protective equipment (PPE), contaminated with this carcinogenic material. Another option is to clean the PPE at a facility that has been equipped. Personal clothing contaminated with asbestos should be treated in the same manner as contaminated PPE.

You must properly label and pack your equipment if you are sending it for cleaning, reuse, or disposal. Do not break large asbestos sheets. Instead, wrap it in polythene sheets.

Step 2: Label Asbestos Items

Australian law requires that raw asbestos be properly labeled. You can either print or stick the label directly to the package. Asbestos disposal contractors licensed and qualified use thick, red plastic bags with printed warning labels.

There are many types of labels on the market: self-adhesive labels for hazardous goods, warning labels, and stickers, self-adhesive labels, sticky labels, tapes to protect contaminated areas, safety signs for your home and workplace, as well as labels for hazardous goods.

Step 3: Transport and store asbestos waste

According to the HSE, it is important to use sealed containers to transport and store asbestos waste. A sealed container is a locked, covered skip clearly marked with a warning label. This will indicate that the container contains hazardous material. You must also comply with the “Carriage of Dangerous Goods” rules.

It is best to store asbestos in enclosed skips with lockable covers. These containers can be used for heavier loads. You can also use small flexible bags and wheelie containers to transport asbestos waste if you have a smaller vehicle.

Step 4: Asbestos Disposal Sites

Before you can transport the waste to the disposal location, make sure you verify that the site is allowed to accept it. Ask for a permit to prevent pollution (PPC), and a license to manage waste.

Asbestos must be disposed of in a landfill that has a permit. If the landfill site has a separate, self-contained cell, you can dispose of this hazardous material or waste in a safe landfill.

Last words

Asbestos is a leading cause of cancer in Australia. It is crucial to remove asbestos from commercial and residential buildings. It must be done by professionals. It is illegal to remove asbestos without the expertise of experts. This poses a serious health risk. It is therefore essential to adhere to the HSE rules as well as the safety guidelines.