BEST LEFT TO THE PROS
Working with asbestos is never DIY
The National Day of Mourning is on April 28 — a time to remember those people who have been affected by workplace injuries or death. It serves as a reminder for all to make sure we have the right processes and systems in our workplace to prevent illnesses, injuries and even deaths.
Some of the biggest threats on the job site are the ones you can’t see, like asbestos.
What makes asbestos so dangerous? Fibres.
Asbestos is a generic term that refers to a number of different mineral fibres. Because of their strength, durability and resistance to fire, these fibres saw widespread use in different building materials and were added to different residential construction products.
It wasn’t until the late 1970s that it became known that asbestos posed a serious health risk, and since then it has been banned from building materials. It was used in many different types of building materials, including vermiculite insulation, insulation around pipes and water tanks, roofing compounds, shingles, sealants, caulking, adhesives, vinyl tiles, drywall compounds, even some electrical parts.
Unfortunately, many older homes and buildings today still contain asbestos.
When asbestos fibres are disturbed, they get released into the air, and if they’re inhaled they can get trapped in the lungs and cause serious health issues, including cancer.
For example, Canada has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma, which is a type of cancer caused by asbestos.
Although asbestos isn’t currently used in construction materials, there are still many homes that contain asbestos — usually older homes. Any home built before 1980 should be professionally checked for asbestos, especially if you’re planning a renovation or investing in home improvement projects. If your home has materials containing asbestos, getting them properly removed by a professional company through remediation can drive up the cost of your reno.
Professionals can take samples from suspect materials, such as walls, ceilings, vinyl floor tiles, siding, insulation and roofing materials. These samples are then sent to a laboratory for analysis. If the presence of asbestos is confirmed in any of the samples, don’t disturb the materials that contain it — leave it to the professionals. This includes sanding, cutting, sawing or removing it.
Some people might panic and start ripping out the material and products themselves, but that is not at all advisable. Disturbing asbestos and materials that contain asbestos is what makes it dangerous. That’s why contractors and their crew should also make sure to always wear protective clothing and gear during any job, especially during demolition because we never know what we might find and what might be a hazard.
If a material that contains asbestos is in good shape, there is the possibility that it might not need to be removed; however, it’s important to monitor it for signs of deterioration, because as soon as any fibres get loose, that’s when issues can arise. There are some temporary fixes to prevent asbestos-containing materials from getting damaged and fibres getting loose, but they should only be done a professional contractor. Dealing with asbestoscontaining material is never DIY.
Whenever hiring a pro to work on your home, always make sure they’re qualified to do the job right, which includes taking the proper safety precautions and knowing how to deal with potentially hazardous materials, like asbestos, the right way.
Ask what type of safety gear they normally use during demolitions, and the course of action they would take if they suspect any material contains asbestos. A contractor who doesn’t make the health and safety of their own crew a priority will likely not care about yours either, so do your homework. Ask if they have a professional asbestos abatement company that they normally work with. Who are they and what are their credentials? What’s their track record? Your contractor should be able to talk to you, not just about doing the job right but also about proper clean up and disposing of materials safely.
Asbestos in our homes and on the job site is a health risk. Too many good contractors have years taken off their lives because they didn’t protect themselves with the right safety gear, like gloves, safety glasses and, of course, respirators. Doing a job right means doing it safe. It protects homeowners and pros, too.