Why would anyone want to clean the work area of an asbestos abatement site? Pre-cleaning makes no sense if an asbestos removal site is covered with asbestos fibres after the exercise. It might be the case for a layperson, but asbestos abatement companies consider pre-cleaning an integral part of the removal process. Unfortunately, most property owners tend to disagree and find pre-cleaning unnecessary and a waste of time. Therefore, property owners need to familiarise themselves with the benefits of asbestos removal pre-cleaning.
Removes Asbestos Dust -- When an asbestos abatement company identifies the material in a facility, the chances are high there are asbestos fibres in the dust around various rooms. Some of the dust is usually found on window sills, shelving, floors, door frames, and the baseboard. Therefore, if an abatement crew does not clean a site, the workers risk exposing themselves to asbestos dust. Pre-cleaning an asbestos site eliminates the chances of exposure before the abatement process begins. Usually, the pre-cleaning phase involves vacuuming any horizontal surface where asbestos dust might have settled over time. Remember, only technicians with proper PPEs should do the cleaning.
Identify and Eliminate Fall Hazards -- Whether dealing with a residential property or commercial facility, asbestos abatement companies never rule out fall hazards. Notably, slips, trips, and falls can be detrimental to the asbestos removal process. For instance, wet floors increase the risk of a technician slipping and damaging a protective barrier, allowing asbestos fibres out into the atmosphere. Furthermore, PPEs can damage when a cleaner trips or falls, exposing themselves to carcinogenic asbestos fibres. Thus, professional abatement companies must pre-clean a work area to identify and remove all possible fall hazards. It goes a long way in protecting an abatement crew and the public.
Secure Critical Barriers -- Critical barriers are necessary for safe asbestos removal, but their effectiveness depends on how clean a work area is. Typically, asbestos barriers are plastic sheeting taped to the walls and ceiling around a work area. The setup prevents airborne asbestos from migrating to an adjacent room. However, dirty walls and ceilings can prevent the tape from adhering well, increasing the chances of a critical barrier coming off during asbestos removal. For instance, if you tape a critical barrier on a wall with a lot of dust or moisture, the tape will easily peel off. Pre-cleaning helps secure critical barriers by ensuring the tape sealing a work area remains in place.
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