31
RUSNAH BT NANYAN CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATINAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (DOSH) MALAYSIA GUIDELINES FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL 1
RUSNAH BT NANYAN
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT DIVISION
DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATINAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (DOSH)
MALAYSIA
GUIDELINES FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL
1
CONTENTS
Introduction
Purpose
Scope And Application
Sources And Uses Of Asbestos
Asbestos Removal Procedure
References
Appendix
2
INTRODUCTION
According to World Health Organization (WHO), about 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace. WHO estimates, more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure.
There are two main mineralogical classifications of asbestos—i. Serpentines (Chrysotile); and ii. Amphiboles (Amosite, Crocidolite, Fibrous Tremolite, Fibrous
Anthophyllite, Fibrous Actinolite)
Many old buildings in Malaysia contain asbestos or have asbestos-containing materials and may be of the type of brown and blue asbestos.
Special precautions are needed in the removal, repair, dismantling, demolition, renovation, maintenance and alteration of structures in buildings containing asbestos.
3
PURPOSE
The Guidelines provide guidance and best technical practice on how to manage asbestos removal in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000 (USECHH).
4
SCOPE AND APPLICATION
These guidelines apply to asbestos removal at the place of work under Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), 1994
5
SOURCES AND USES OF ASBESTOS
No. Product Usage
1. Cement asbestos Widely used as roofs and ceilings of the buildings especially in homes in rural areas, water tanks, sewerage pipes, supply water pipes, drainage pipes, refuse chutes and chimney hoods
2. Aircond duct insulation Insulation
3. Adhesive Industrial adhesive
4. Bituminious membrane Use as water proof on rooftop and floor. Usually
flat rooftop
5. Cooling towers Outer surface of cooling tower was once use
asbestos material
6. Exhaust pipe insulation Insulation
7. Pipe Pipes to deliver water and drain
8. Vinyl floor tiles and
sheeting
A supporting layer to the surface of which is made
of tile or vinyl
10. Gasket Industrial uses (e.g. sealer)
11. Blackboard Painted asbestos cement sheets
12. Fire blanket Fire and heat insulation
13. Glove Hand protection
14. Shoes and helmet Foot and head protection
15. Fire curtain Fire protector in cinema between stage and seats
16. Fire door Fire protection
17. Fire insulator Fire protection
Source: Kajian Profil Penggunaan Asbestos di Malaysia,RMA-Perunding BersatuSdn. Bhd. 2011
20
13 1411 9 7
7,7956,798
11,472
6,7668,278
4,496
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
0
5
10
15
20
25
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
As
be
sto
s I
mp
or
t (t
on
ne
s)
Nu
mb
er
of
co
mp
an
ies
im
po
rte
d a
sb
es
tos
Year
Companies imported asbestos Asbestos Import
Import of Raw Asbestos 2008-2013 Usage of asbestos in Malaysia 6
Source: Kajian Membangunkan Sistem Pengurusan Dan Pengawalan Komprehensif Asbestos Serta Penyakit Yang Berkaitan Di Tempat Kerja (RMK-10)
ASBESTOS REMOVAL PROCEDURE
Project award
Revise document where applicable
Workplace assessment
Approval from DOSH
Workplace preparation
Approved by DOSH?
A
•HIRARC•CHRA
•Documents•Competent person and trained person
Preparation of –•Work practice control•Isolation of asbestos removal area•Changing facilities
7
Yes
No
ASBESTOS REMOVAL PROCEDURE
Site setting verification
Removal activities
A•Conducted by competent person to ensure release
of asbestos fibre and possibility of cross
contamination
•Removal method –i. Wet methodii. Dry methodiii. Glove bag method
•Tools and equipment•PPE
•Decontamination of tools and equipment•Personal decontamination•Dust
Site cleaning and decontamination
8
B
ASBESTOS REMOVAL PROCEDURE
Waste storage, transport and disposal
of asbestos waste
Project closure
B
9
•Consolidated and stored in designated area•License contractor to transport•Vehicle to have enclosed compartment/canvas
Workplace Preparation Or Site Set-up & Site setting verification
10
Workplace Preparation Site setting verificationIncludes
a. Work practice control
i. Only designated person allowed to enter asbestos removal area;
ii. Barriers or barricades should be erected;iii. Ventilation system serving the asbestos
removal area should be disabled;iv. Warning signs should be displayed at each
asbestos removal area
b. Isolation of asbestos removal area
i. Maintained at a negative pressure of at least 5 Pascals;
ii. Supplied with an air exchange rate of at least 8 air changes every hour;
iii. Air that is removed from the asbestos removal area should pass through a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter
c. Changing facilities
Dirty room
Shower room
Clean room
Exit
Enter
Verifymust be conducted
by competent person
* If using wet method, ensure that all work area has been wet thoroughly
WORKPLACE PREPARATION11
Example: Warning Sign
WORKPLACE PREPARATION12
Example: Isolation of Asbestos Removal Area
WORKPLACE PREPARATION13
Example: External Preparation
WORKPLACE PREPARATION14
Air Pump to Maintain Air Change per Hour
WORKPLACE PREPARATION15
Equipment Used Are Wrapped In Polyethylene Bags
WORKPLACE PREPARATION16
Preparation of Changing Facilities
WORKPLACE PREPARATION
Example: Shower Facilities
WORKPLACE PREPARATION
Procedure for Entering the Workplace
WORKPLACE PREPARATION
Procedure for Leaving the Workplace
REMOVAL ACTIVITIES20
MethodTools &
EquipmentPPE
Wet (recommended)
Dry (can only be used if there is no practicable alternative method e.g Electrical conductors/equipment)
Glove bag (suitable for removing of asbestos-containing gaskets)
*Must be conducted by trained person
Do not use power-operated tools and compressed air tools
All tools and equipment must be left in the removal area until the completion of the removal job
Respirator with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and should be issued to workers on a personal basis.
Disposable coveralls or similar full-body protective clothing including snug fitting wrist, ankle and neck cuffs, head coverings, gloves and foot coverings should be worn by all asbestos workers
Protective Clothing
1. Wet Method
i. This method is suitable for ACMs that are not covered with other material (e.g. coated with paint or metal cladding). The purpose is to ensure that asbestos fibres do not become airborne.
ii. A wetting agent, e.g. water or polyvinyl acetate, should be applied by means of an airless sprayer to the entire surface and depth of the ACMs.
iii. The water spray should be directed at the point of removal or breakage of the ACMs.
iv. Wetting should be done at the beginning of the asbestos removal as well as continually throughout the duration of the removal work.
v. High pressure water or other fluids should not be used to clean up or remove asbestos dust from any surface.
vi. The ACMs which have been removed should also be wetted down until disposal.
vii. These materials should not be left lying about the site where they may be crushed
2. Dry Methodis not preferred and it can only be used if there is no practicable alternative method
If the dry method is used, the following controls should be implemented
i. Enclose the asbestos removal area as far as is practicable.
ii. Fully enclose the asbestos removal area with impermeable material. Ensure all workers involved in the removal operation wear full personal protective equipment at all times.
iii. Wherever reasonably practicable, a HEPA-fitted vacuum cleaner should be used to minimise the generation of airborne asbestos fibres as much as possible.
iv. The waste material should be immediately placed in appropriate wetted containers to control fibre release in the asbestos removal area.
3. Glove Bag Method
i. This method is suitable for the removal of asbestos-containing gaskets.
ii. The glove bags are made from strong clear plastic material, e.g. heavy duty polyethylene, and are designed to provide a temporary enclosure for small removal work. The bag must not be reused.
iii. The wetting agent must be applied through an entry port (pre-cut port) as provided in most glove bags. Asbestos that fall into the bag must be thoroughly saturated with wetting agent.
iv. Decontamination of personnel and tools after job completion must be in accordance with the site cleaning procedure.
v. Asbestos waste in the bag must be sealed and disposed of accordingly with the ACM disposal procedure.
REMOVAL ACTIVITIES
Tools and equipment
Vacuum Suction Hole Saw Kit
Vacuum Suction Hole Drill
Attachment
Asbestos Vacuum Numatic
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Respirators Protective Clothing
SITE CLEANING AND DECONTAMINATION
26
Any asbestos-contaminated dust and debris must be collected in a safe manner and the area must be decontaminated.
Items to be considered after completion of asbestos-related activities:-
a) Decontamination of tools and equipment
b) Personal Decontamination
c) Dust
WASTE STORAGE27
Waste Storage
ACM wastes, debris, bags, containers, equipment and asbestos-contaminated clothing and sheeting consigned for disposal should be consolidated and stored in a designated asbestos waste area
TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS WASTE
28
Containers of asbestos waste should be loaded onto the transport vehicle in a careful manner so as to prevent damage to the sealed containers
The vehicles used to transport containers of asbestos waste should have enclosed compartment or canvas sheets to prevent damage to the containers and also to prevent fibre release
Details of the waste storage, transport and disposal of ACM waste must be referred to relevant regulatory requirement: Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005
Guidelines for Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Scheduled Wastes in Malaysia (as amended by the latest version) enforced by the Department of Environment, Malaysia (DOE)
LIST OF ASBESTOS REMOVAL COMPANY
1. Safe Asbestos Solutions Sdn. Bhd. (SAS)
2. Advanced Asbestos Abatement Services PLT (AAAS)
3. Total Dynamic Engineering Sdn. Bhd.
4. ChemVi Laboratory Sdn Bhd/ EnviChem Consults Sdn Bhd
5. Budi Prisma Sdn Bhd
6. Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn. Bhd
7. Syarikat Soon Heng Loong
*Not limited to
29
REFERENCES & APPENDIX
Main References• Kajian Membangunkan Sistem Pengurusan Dan
Pengawalan Komprehensif Asbestos Serta Penyakit Yang Berkaitan Di Tempat Kerja (RMK-10), UKM PakarundingSdn. Bhd.
• Kajian Profil Penggunaan Asbestos di Malaysia,RMA-Perunding Bersatu Sdn. Bhd. 2011
• Guidelines Management and Removal of Asbestos, 2014 (Singapore)
• Asbestos, Health and Safety, HSE, UK
30
