Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Safe Asbestos Removal
When working with or removing asbestos, it can often release dangerous fine particles of dust containing asbestos fibres. If these fibres are inhaled in can lead to serious diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
There is no ‘safe level‘ of exposure to asbestos and choosing the right personal protective equipment will minimise the chances of inhaling asbestos fibres.
Overalls conforming to BS EN ISO 13982-1 (Protective clothing for use against solid particulates) Type 5 are suitable. Wearing a size larger than you usually wear will help prevent the seams ripping. If the cuffs are loose then these should be taped. Used overalls must be treated as asbestos waste.
Gloves
Suitable gloves should be worn when handling asbestos to reduce the risk of developing ‘asbestos warts’. It is advised that ‘single use’ disposable gloves are used and after use, these must be treated as asbestos waste.
Footwear
Footwear with laces can make decontamination a difficult, and often an impossible, process. Suitable wellington boots should be worn.
Respirators
Without a doubt, the more important piece of personal protective equipment worn when handling asbestos is the respirator or dust mask. As the respirator is the barrier between dangerous asbestos fibres and the lungs thought should be given to selecting the correct piece of equipment.
Respirators must:
- Be suitable for asbestos handling
- Be face fit tested
- Be worn correctly
- Be disposed in accordance with local regulations
Respirators suitable for handling asbestos
Respirators must have an Assigned Protection Factor of 20 or more.
Disposable FFP3 respirators (dust masks) conforming to standard EN149.
- Moldex 2505
- 3M 9332
Semi-disposable respirators (half face mask) conforming to standard EN405 fitted with P3 filters.
- Moldex 5230
- 3M 4279
Half face masks conforming to EN140 fitted with P3 filters.
- Moldex 7000 Series + 9030 P3 filters
- 3M 6000 Series + 2138 P3 filters
Respirator Comparisons – Pros and Cons |
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Respirator Type |
Pros |
Cons |
Disposable Dust Masks (EN149) |
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Semi-disposable half masks (EN405) |
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Half face masks (EN140) |
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Face Fit Testing
A respirator must fit the wearer correctly to ensure adequate protection from asbestos fibres. Most manufacturers supply fit testing kits including Moldex and 3M. Wearers of dust masks and respirators must be clean shaven, if this is not possible then alternatives such as powered or supplied air respirators should be used.
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