Asbestos - A Workplace Health And Safety Problem

Breathing asbestos fiber has been shown to cause "asbestos cancer" or mesothelioma.  Workplace exposure to asbestos piping and boiler insulation has led to lengthy litigation about these asbestos injuries.  Since asbestos use in insulation and building material, such as floor tiles, was banned in 1989, the challenge today is asbestos abatement .  This requires locating an asbestos contractor to conduct testing, encapsulation, or removal of the asbestos-containing insulation.  The asbestos cleanup will also require special hazardous waste hauling for the asbestos removal.

The asbestos content of cement board or floor tiles, for example, cannot be evaluated by ocular inspection.  Asbestos testing is needed. Then a qualified asbestos consultant must determine whether encapsulation in place or removal would be the proper and legal course of remediation.

There are complex industrial hygiene safety regulations governing asbestos demolition and renovation.  These regulations are designed to protect asbestos workers from exposure to the mineral fibers when they become airborne during removal of asbestos-containing material.

Asbestos Inspection

Until about 1980, asbestos was used in building construction as insulation (pipes, boilers) and as an ingredient of building materials (cement board, shingles, floor tile).  Usually the friable form (crush it into powder with your bare hands) is the more hazardous due to the fine particles becoming suspended in the air if it is disturbed.   Asbestos is not ordinarily released from the building materials unless they are broken or sawed.  Asbestos removal requires costly and elaborate procedures to prevent release of the fibers into the surrounding air or inhalation by the workers or other persons in the vicinity.  It may be that proper sealing of existing installations can save the expense of removal. 

Bodine Services has the experience, equipment, and trained, certified personnel to help you solve your asbestos problems.

Asbestos Services

Asbestos can be covered, sealed (paint-like sealant) or removed.  Special training, certification, and personal protective equipment are required for any asbestos work.  Special procedures like wetting during removal and control of air movement at the removal worksite further complicate the operation.  Worker asbestos exposure has led to costly and prolonged litigation.

Contact Bodine Services for expert, safe asbestos remediation.