Asbestos Attorney

Personal Protective Equipment for Asbestos

When removing asbestos, there are a number of safety precautions that must be met. In addition to employing the proper removal procedures, any individual working on renovating or demolishing an area known to contain asbestos should employ a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Whenever asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are disturbed, touched, or removed. If inhaled, these fibers can be deadly in the long run and so every precaution to reduce or eliminate exposure should be taken. Personal protective equipment will do a lot to reduce the amount of exposure a person endures.

Quite possibly the most important piece of personal protective equipment for removing asbestos is a respirator. Respirators purify the air that is being breathed and filter out impurities like asbestos fibers and dust. Many people mistakenly think that paper dust masks like those worn by painters will be enough to protect them from asbestos fibers. Not true. The respirator is the best way of removing asbestos from the air that a person breathes and so does the best job of reducing the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Safety goggles are also important. These do not prevent asbestos exposure so much as protect the eyes from debris that might be around. While they do not help for asbestos, it is still a good idea to protect the eyes from harm.

Disposable coveralls are also crucial to preventing asbestos exposure. It is recommended by a variety of experts that two pairs of disposable coveralls be worn at the same time. Whenever a person leaves the work area, the exterior suit should be removed in the work area and disposed of in a waste bag that is designated as containing asbestos. This will help to ensure that all asbestos remains in the work area. The coveralls are important because it means that whoever does the laundry will not be exposed.

At the end of the day, any equipment or tools used in the work area should be decontaminated before they leave the work area. All exposed skin should be washed off to eliminate as much contamination as possible.

Contact an Asbestos Attorney

If you have been exposed to asbestos through work because the proper safety equipment was not available, there is a serious problem. To discuss this problem and the legal options that go along with it, contact the asbestos attorney of Williams Kherkher at 1-800-781-3955.