Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that has been known since ancient times. It is a natural occurring mineral, (a silicate compound) found commonly in nature. Where found, it is easy to mine and process, making it a highly flexible and cheap material, for many different applications. Outstanding amongst its properties are its resistance to heat, wear, alkalis and acids, and its flexibility, amongst other characteristics, which make it a suitable material for use as insulation, in industrial textiles and in many other fields.
Asbestos is made up of tiny, microscopic fibres and when disturbed, either in its natural form or in an asbestos-containing product, these fibres can become airborne and be easily inhaled. Asbestos fibres may become trapped in the lungs, potentially causing a number of life-threatening diseases like cancer.
Breathing in asbestos fibres has been linked to asbestos-related diseases, all of which can be fatal. Asbestos-related diseases have a latency period of up to 40-50 years before they make take effect. Currently there are no cures for these diseases.
During the 1980s asbestos was phased out in favour of asbestos-free products in domestic and commercial building materials and has been completely banned in Australia since December 31, 2003.
In many cases where asbestos is present, there is no need to do anything. If the material which contains asbestos is intact and undamaged, then the product is generally quite safe , if left undisturbed.
Having said that, it is important that you are aware of the presence, or possible presence, of any asbestos-containing material/s and know what to do, in order to manage the material/s and any potential situations that may cause any changes to the condition of that/those material/s.
Any potential damage to asbestos-containing products, is most likely to occur during a renovation or demolition when the materials are disturbed, removed or cut. Ath those times, asbestos fibres are highly likely to enter the air and the dust can enter your lungs , which potentially can cause serious health problems, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma (a form of terminal cancer). Although these diseases are rare, their rate of incidence is increasing and the consequences are fatal.
For these reasons, if you're renovating or planning to renovate your property, it is important to be prudent and have any materials that contain, or are likely to contain, asbestos, professionally removed. (If you believe that you might have to disturb any asbestos-containing products then you should contact Strada Consulting get us to have any materials tested. We will have the material/s tested by an approved testing laboratory, and subsequently advise you whether the product contains asbestos and how you should deal with it.
Householders may carry out minor repairs on asbestos cement materials, as long as the recommended safety precautions for these activities are followed.
Never use power tools (such as power saws, drills, sanders and angle grinders) or high pressure water blasters on asbestos materials. Remember, if your asbestos product is; soft, loosely bound together or it easily crumbles under hand pressure (this may be friable asbestos) it is imperative that you seek advice from an industry professional and use appropriately qualified removalists to complete any work affecting those materials.
While it is not advisable, Yes you can. Home-owners can remove small amounts of bonded asbestos (less than 10m2) provided they follow adequate safety precautions to avoid exposure to asbestos fibres. These safety precautions include, but are not limited to:
Minimum, P2 disposable mask or a half-face respirator
Disposable coveralls suitable to the task, i.e. European Standards Type 5 and 6
Face and Hand wipes
Boot covers or gumboots.
Material should be kept damp by using a hand held spray bottle and spraying the material with “Mist spray” during the removal
The work area/s should be isolated (doors closed and sealed) and the floor should be covered with 200um plastic (which should be disposed of with any Asbestos waste)
Removal should be completed with minimal breakage of, or damage to, the material.
All waste should be bagged in a compliant manner
All removal areas should be cleaned and sealed in a compliant manner
Please note: this provision does not extend to areas more that 10m2, or the removal of any friable asbestos material.
No! Strada Consulting is an end to end service provider, specialising in the management of Asbestos issues. We can manage a removal process for you, using your service providers or we can offer you a full removal service which includes all testing, removal oversight and clearances, using one of our expert removalist partners. We will offer sound guidance and expert advice but the decision is always up to the you, the client.
CONTACT US! … On our contacts page, you will find our phone number for urgent enquiries or, if your issue is not so urgent, you will find our e-mail address so that you can ask your question in a timely manner that suits you. (we will respond to you within 12 hours).
During the 1980s asbestos was phased out in favour of asbestos-free products in domestic and commercial building materials and has been completely banned in Australia since December 31, 2003.
In many cases where asbestos is present, there is no need to do anything. If the material which contains asbestos is intact and undamaged, then the product is generally quite safe , if left undisturbed.
Having said that, it is important that you are aware of the presence, or possible presence, of any asbestos-containing material/s and know what to do, in order to manage the material/s and any potential situations that may cause any changes to the condition of that/those material/s.
Any potential damage to asbestos-containing products, is most likely to occur during a renovation or demolition when the materials are disturbed, removed or cut. Ath those times, asbestos fibres are highly likely to enter the air and the dust can enter your lungs , which potentially can cause serious health problems, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma (a form of terminal cancer). Although these diseases are rare, their rate of incidence is increasing and the consequences are fatal.
For these reasons, if you're renovating or planning to renovate your property, it is important to be prudent and have any materials that contain, or are likely to contain, asbestos, professionally removed. (If you believe that you might have to disturb any asbestos-containing products then you should contact Strada Consulting get us to have any materials tested. We will have the material/s tested by an approved testing laboratory, and subsequently advise you whether the product contains asbestos and how you should deal with it.
Householders may carry out minor repairs on asbestos cement materials, as long as the recommended safety precautions for these activities are followed.
Never use power tools (such as power saws, drills, sanders and angle grinders) or high pressure water blasters on asbestos materials. Remember, if your asbestos product is; soft, loosely bound together or it easily crumbles under hand pressure (this may be friable asbestos) it is imperative that you seek advice from an industry professional and use appropriately qualified removalists to complete any work affecting those materials.
While it is not advisable, Yes you can. Home-owners can remove small amounts of bonded asbestos (less than 10m2) provided they follow adequate safety precautions to avoid exposure to asbestos fibres. These safety precautions include, but are not limited to:
Minimum, P2 disposable mask or a half-face respirator
Disposable coveralls suitable to the task, i.e. European Standards Type 5 and 6
Face and Hand wipes
Boot covers or gumboots.
Material should be kept damp by using a hand held spray bottle and spraying the material with “Mist spray” during the removal
The work area/s should be isolated (doors closed and sealed) and the floor should be covered with 200um plastic (which should be disposed of with any Asbestos waste)
Removal should be completed with minimal breakage of, or damage to, the material.
All waste should be bagged in a compliant manner
All removal areas should be cleaned and sealed in a compliant manner
Please note: this provision does not extend to areas more that 10m2, or the removal of any friable asbestos material.
No! Strada Consulting is an end to end service provider, specialising in the management of Asbestos issues. We can manage a removal process for you, using your service providers or we can offer you a full removal service which includes all testing, removal oversight and clearances, using one of our expert removalist partners. We will offer sound guidance and expert advice but the decision is always up to the you, the client.
CONTACT US! … On our contacts page, you will find our phone number for urgent enquiries or, if your issue is not so urgent, you will find our e-mail address so that you can ask your question in a timely manner that suits you. (we will respond to you within 12 hours).
CONTACT US! … On our contacts page, you will find our phone number for urgent enquiries or, if your issue is not so urgent, you will find our e-mail address so that you can ask your question in a timely manner that suits you. (we will respond to you within 12 hours).