How to Hire an Asbestos Abatement Professional
Asbestos Professionals: Who Are They And What Can They Do?
Asbestos professionals are trained in handling asbestos material. The
type of professional will depend on the type of product and what needs
to be done to correct the problem. You may hire a general asbestos
contractor or, in some cases, a professional trained to handle specific
products containing asbestos.
Asbestos professionals can conduct home inspections, take samples of
suspected material, assess its condition, and advise about what
corrections are needed and who is qualified to make these corrections.
Once again, material in good condition need not be sampled unless it is
likely to be disturbed. Professional correction or abatement
contractors repair or remove asbestos materials.
Some firms offer combinations of testing, assessment, and correction. A
professional hired to assess the need for corrective action should not
be connected with an asbestos-correction firm. It is better to use two
different firms so there is no conflict of interest. Services vary from
one area to another around the country.
The federal government has training courses for asbestos professionals
around the country. Some state and local governments also have or
require training or certification courses. Ask asbestos professionals
to document their completion of federal or state-approved training.
Each person performing work in your home should provide proof of
training and licensing in asbestos work, such as completion of
EPA-approved training. State and local health departments or EPA
regional offices may have listings of licensed professionals in your
area.
If you have a problem that requires the services of asbestos
professionals, check their credentials carefully. Hire professionals
who are trained, experienced, reputable, and accredited - especially if
accreditation is required by state or local laws. Before hiring a
professional, ask for references from previous clients. Find out if
they were satisfied. Ask whether the professional has handled similar
situations. Get cost estimates from several professionals, as the
charges for these services can vary.
Though private homes are usually not covered by the asbestos
regulations that apply to schools and public buildings, professionals
should still use procedures described during federal or state-approved
training. Homeowners should be alert to the chance of misleading claims
by asbestos consultants and contractors. There have been reports of
firms incorrectly claiming that asbestos materials in homes must be
replaced. In other cases, firms have encouraged unnecessary removals or
performed them improperly. Unnecessary removals are a waste of money.
Improper removals may actually increase the health risks to you and
your family. To guard against this, know what services are available
and what procedures and precautions are needed to do the job properly.
In addition to general asbestos contractors, you may select a roofing,
flooring, or plumbing contractor trained to handle asbestos when it is
necessary to remove and replace roofing, flooring, siding, or
asbestos-cement pipe that is part of a water system. Normally, roofing
and flooring contractors are exempt from state and local licensing
requirements because they do not perform any other asbestos-correction
work. Call 1-800-USA-ROOF for names of qualified roofing contractors in
your area. ( Illinois residents call 708-318-6722.) For information on
asbestos in floors, read "Recommended Work Procedures for Resilient
Floor Covers." You can write for a copy from the Resilient Floor
Covering Institute, 966 Hungerford Drive, Suite 12 - B, Rockville , MD
20850 . Enclose a stamped, business-size, self-addressed envelope.
Asbestos-containing automobile brake pads and linings, clutch facings,
and gaskets should be repaired and replaced only by a professional
using special protective equipment. Many of these products are now
available without asbestos. For more information, read "Guidance for
Preventing Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics," available from
regional EPA offices.
If You Hire A Professional Asbestos Inspector
Make sure that the inspection will include a complete visual examination and the careful collection and lab analysis of samples.
If asbestos is present, the inspector should provide a written
evaluation describing its location and extent of damage, and give
recommendations for correction or prevention.
Make sure an inspecting firm makes frequent site visits
if it is hired to assure that a contractor follows proper procedures
and requirements. The inspector may recommend and perform checks after
the correction to assure the area has been properly cleaned.
If You Hire A Corrective-Action Contractor
Check with your local air pollution control board,
the local agency responsible for worker safety, and the Better Business
Bureau. Ask if the firm has had any safety violations. Find out if
there are legal actions filed against it.
Use the proper Equipment to do the job: The workers must wear approved respirators, gloves, and other protective clothing.
Before work begins: get a written
contract specifying the work plan, cleanup, and the applicable federal,
state, and local regulations
which the contractor must follow
(such as notification requirements and asbestos disposal procedures).
Contact your state and local health departments, EPA's regional office,
and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's regional office
to find out what the regulations are. Be sure the contractor follows
local asbestos removal and disposal laws. At the end of the job, get
written assurance from the contractor that all procedures have been
followed.
Avoid spreading or tracking asbestos dust: They
should seal the work area from the rest of the house using plastic
sheeting and duct tape, and also turn off the heating and air
conditioning system. For some repairs, such as pipe insulation removal,
plastic glove bags may be adequate. They must be sealed with tape and
properly disposed of when the job is complete.
Mark It as a hazard area: Do not allow household members and pets into the area until work is completed.
Apply a wetting agent to the asbestos: with a hand sprayer that creates a fine mist before removal.
Wet fibers do not float in the air as easily as dry fibers and will be
easier to clean up.
Do no break removed material into small pieces: This
could release asbestos fibers into the air. Pipe insulation was usually
installed in preformed blocks and should be removed in complete pieces.
Contractor cleans the area: wet mops, wet rags, sponges, or HEPA (high efficiency particulate
air) vacuum cleaners. A regular vacuum cleaner must never be used.
Wetting helps reduce the chance of spreading asbestos fibers in the
air. All asbestos materials and disposable equipment and clothing used
in the job must be placed in sealed, leak proof, and labeled plastic
bags. The work site should be visually free of dust and debris. Air
monitoring (to make sure there is no increase of asbestos fibers in the
air) may be necessary to assure that the contractor's job is done
properly. This should be done by someone not connected with the
contractor.
