Air quality measurements during asbestos removal work

Air tests - Asbestos air sampling: Are you about to carry out work on materials containing asbestos? The RSST and the BBRI impose control measures on you to guarantee the best possible protection for your workers.

The control measure consists of taking samples throughout the duration of the asbestos removal work. Two samples are necessary:

- the first air sample is taken inside the work area. The objective is to verify that the concentrations of dust in the ambient air and which are generated by the debris, do not exceed the regulatory limits.

-the second sample is to verify that once workers leave the work area, they must not be exposed to high concentrations in their own changing room.

This photo represents a site where work is taking place under high risk conditions. negative pressure machines reduce the concentration of dust in the ambient air and also have the objective of depressurizing the work area so that the dust generated during the work is and remains inside the temporary partitions. The depressurization must be between 1 and 4 pascal.

A simple calculation shows how many negative pressure machines a contractor must install in a work area in order to ensure this depressurization. This calculation depends in part on the size of the room where the work is to take place.

The regulations require workers who open in this field to make the debris not very friable and this measure consists in permanently humidifying the materials generated by the work.

At the end of the work, a fine dusting is necessary. Dust removal is done by using large vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters.

Once the work area is clean, a glue called a slow-drying pore sealer stabilizes the dust residues in the ambient air.

After this step, it is recommended to wait 8 to 12 hours before taking an end-of-work air measurement. this measurement or in other words, this sampling is longer than that taken during the works.

The experts at Air-conseil environnement Inc can help contractors or anyone about to do demolition or renovation work to establish a game plan, inform them and give them advice.

We are available at all times and take all the time necessary to explain the ins and outs of work in asbestos conditions.