9 Things To Consider When You Hire An Asbestos Removal Contractor

Asbestos removal is never fun, but it can be done with good preparation and forethought. Here are a  few things to consider when having asbestos removed by an asbestos contractor:

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• Be sure you check with local air pollution control board, the local worker safety agency and Better Business Bureau to learn if there have been any safety violations against the firm. You want to learn if there have been any legal actions taken against the company.
• Make sure the contractor using only the right equipment, including making sure the workers use respirators, protective clothing and gloves. 
• Have a written contract that details out the work plan, cleanup and all local, state and federal regulations they must follow. Reach out to your local and state health departments, Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regional office and EPA regional office to learn the regulations.  You want your contractor to follow all laws regarding asbestos removal and to attain a written assurance that every regulation was followed. 
• Make sure the contractor doesn’t track or spread the asbestos dust into other parts of your home. The area they are working on should be sealed off with duct tape and plastic sheeting.  
• Shut the AC/heating unit off to your home. Use plastic bags for certain repairs like pipe insulation removal. Seal these bags up with tape and have them disposed of properly upon job completion.
• Be sure the work site has been marked clearly as being hazardous, not letting anyone come into the area until the work is finished. 
• Make sure the contractor is using a wetting agent and hand sprayer on the asbestos material – you want a fine mist on the material before it’s removed. Wet fibers won’t fly into the air, not as easily as dry fibers and can be cleaned up easily. 
• The contractor should not break up the removed material in small spaces, as it could cause the fibers to be released into the air. Since pipe insulation is installed in pre-formed blocks, they need to be removed in whole pieces. 
• Once the project is over, the contractor should clean the area using wet mops, wet sponges, wet rags and high-efficiency particulate air vacuum cleaner. Never use a regular vacuum cleaner to clean up the area. Make sure the asbestos materials and equipment are properly disposed of in a leak-proof, sealed plastic bag. You want the work site to be cleared of all debris and dust. Monitor the air to ensure the contractor did his/her job right. You want to hire a third-party person to carry out the air monitor. 

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