WOODWORKING QUIZ for 9th Feb. 2005

[NotRalph]

I know that this question doesn't directly involve wood but as the subject is very topical and as we have many home renovators could you please tell me how you would fix something to a vertical surface comprised of Asbestos Cement sheet when penetration of that surface was necessary? My intention here is promote some awareness of the possible dangers associated with asbestos.

[simon c]

1. Decide that I really need to do this and there isn't another way of doing what I wanted.
2. Check with the local council/health department what the latest regulations are
3. Decide in advance (ie before starting the job) what I am going to do, how I will prepare, what tools I will use, what safety equipment I need, how I will clean up and how I will dispose of any waste, etc. Be aware that householders are limited to 1 hour's work on asbestos in a 7 day period.
4. Put on safety gear - appropriate face, disposable overalls and gloves, etc
5. Prepare site - ensure I have good access. Block off area ro passers by. Ensure windows to other buildings (inc neighbours) are sealed.
6. Throughly wetdown area
7. Make penetration using hand tools
8. Seal penetrated area (may use paint, silicon etc)
9. Affix the thing - ensure no loose asbestos remains uncovered
10. Clean up using wet mop or approved vacuum
11. Bag up and seal waste
12. Clean tools etc
13. Remove safety gear and bag up for disposal
14. Mark waste and disposable gear as "Warning - Asbestos. Do not open bag."
15. Shower, wash hair etc
16. Arrange for removal of waste through designated asbestos disposal site
17. Wonder why I bothered to do all this is the first place and wish I'd found an easier way of doing it.

Simon

[beejay1]

I would call in a certified company to remove the asbestos and replace it with something else. im sure there is a safe way of doing what you ask, but I wouldnt have stuff anywhere on my property.
beejay1

[bitingmidge]

I would call in a certified company to remove the asbestos and replace it with something else. im sure there is a safe way of doing what you ask, but I wouldnt have stuff anywhere on my property.
beejay1

Easy to say, hard to do.

Pay someone else to do it.

I am not joking for once in my life, (my brother-in-law died at 42 from mesothelioma (sp?)), I am currently having a number of renovations carried out on a cottage we own which has fibro walls internally. Part of the work involves removing two of the partitions.

I advised the guys that they need to take special precautions and I won't be visiting till the walls are reinstated and sealed.

They said yes.

A week later the job is done, I am not aware of any special precautions they took, and understand the wall lining went to the tip in an ordinary skip, buried under other debris?

:eek: :eek:

As for the penetrations. I can't remember the name of them, but you can buy tricky little plasticbag gadgets that fit over your drill to capture the dust from gyprock and they would work just fine!

Cheers,

P

[aussieglen]

Hi - I think you guys are fortunate in that you seem to know how to recognise Asbestos when you see it. Me - well, all I can see is a white painted sheeting on my walls and I can't tell if it is Hardiflex, Asbestolux, Tilux, Plaster, Masonite, or any one of the number of sheeting types available in 1964 when my house was built by the previous owners.

I would apreciate any advice on how to make a simple positive ID without creating a further health risk?
Aussieglen.

[Sturdee]

how you would fix something to a vertical surface comprised of Asbestos Cement sheet when penetration of that surface was necessary?

More information please.

What kind of penetration are you referring to? Is it small like say a nail hole or large enough to swing a cat through? The answer depends on the kind of penetration.


Peter.

[Christopha]

More information please.

What kind of penetration are you referring to? Is it small like say a nail hole or large enough to swing a cat through? The answer depends on the kind of penetration.


Peter.

I think you are very wrong, it doesn't matter how big the hole is it depends very much on HOW you make it! Asbestos dust is the problem, if you make a small hole with a power tool which creates any dust then you have a problem. If you carefully bash a hole with a hammer which creates no dust from the sheet then your problem is minimal.....

If I had to drill a small hole in a wall sheet then I would mask myself up, I would get someone to give me a hand, arm them with a squirt bottle of water and I would keep them spraying while I drilled the hole slowly with a cordless drill and then I would mop up using paper towel which I would flush down the toilet.

[ozwinner]

and then I would mop up using paper towel which I would flush down the toilet.

Then the Fish get asbestosis??

Al

[journeyman Mick]

Our house doesn't have any asbestos sheet products in it and none of my jobs involve any cutting or drilling of asbestos. How do I do this? Easy, I just say no! I know too many guys that have died from working with the stuff so I simply refuse to touch it. Life's too short and precious.

Mick

[Christopha]

I could wrap it in foil and then flush it.........

[Cliff Rogers]

G'day.

What midge said.... "Pay someone else to do it."

A better question would be... "how do you recognise the *****?"

Does all 'fibro' (fibre cement, hardy plank, whatever...) have a asbestos in it?

[NotRalph]

Don't forget 'vinyl' tiles, linoleum, acoustic ceiling tiles, brake and clutch linings of vehicles,spray in and on insulation, malthoid etc.etc. they all may contain asbestos.

Today gentlepersons you all get the NOD of Awareness and I thank you all for your participation.
Asbestos is a very dangerous material and I don't believe that enough people are aware of it so please spread the word.

[DanP]

I would apreciate any advice on how to make a simple positive ID.

It's a piece of cake, first, cut with angle grinder. :eek: Wear no mask. :eek: Make sure the sheet is bone dry. :eek: Then take large gulping breaths, whilst the dust is still hanging in the air. :eek: Do this daily for about five years. :eek: :eek: :eek:

If in Fifteen years or so you have asbestosis you'll know it was asbestos.

Dan, tongue planted firmly in cheek.

DISCLAIMER: The author takes no responsibility for any moron who actually takes the advice in this post.

[journeyman Mick]

There's a way you can test cement sheeting. It may, or may not be totally accurate but it does make sense to me. Break a piece of the sheeting so that the fibres are exposed. Play a flame from a cigarette lighter over these fibres. If they are asbestos they won't burn, if they are the newer fibrous cement sheets which use cellulose fibre they will burn. If you have an older house and are planning renovations it would be wise to get an asbestos audit done.

Mick

[echnidna]

However there was a fibre cement sheet before asbestos was used and it doesn't burn.
Mainly used before the mid 50's I think.