Appendix I: Type 1 – Removal of Asbestos Flooring

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Prior to the start of the work the facilities management supervisor shall be notified of:

  • The name of the worker performing work,
  • The dates and the times of the work and,
  • The location and type of the work to be conducted.

The following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be used:

  • Use of respiratory protection is not required however if a worker requests to wear a respirator it shall be (at minimum) a half-faced air purifying respirator with N-100, R-100 or P-100 particulate (HEPA) filters,
  • Use of protective clothing is not required however if a worker requests to wear protective clothing it shall be (at minimum) a disposable suit (Tyvek® or equivalent) with a hood,
  • Protective gloves and,
  • Safety glasses with side shields and safety shoes/boots.

The following equipment shall be used:

  • Polyethylene drop sheets to prevent the spread of dust from the work area,
  • A sprayer containing water and a wetting agent,
  • Duct tape,
  • Vacuum equipped with a HEPA-filter,
  • Asbestos disposal bags (6 mil) with asbestos warnings clearly printed on the bag,
  • Utility knife,
  • Heavy duty scraper,
  • Clean rags and,
  • Other tools as required (no power tools).
Procedure
  • Using a HEPA vacuum, clean up any visible dust or debris.
  • Do not use compressed air to clean up or remove any dust from any surface.
  • Do not use electric powered scrapers.
  • Eating, drinking, chewing gum, or smoking is not permitted in the work area
  • Ensure work is done during times of low or no occupancy.
  • Don (put on) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if worker requests to wear PPE.
  • If removing rolled flooring, cut grooves into flooring using utility knife, approximately 1 cut every foot.
  • Wet flooring to be removed with amended water. Allowing water to absorb into flooring for extended time periods may help loosen adhesive and make removal easier. Ensure water damage does not occur to other areas of the building.
  • Removal can be aided by heating flooring thoroughly with hot air gun to soften the adhesive.
  • Start removal by wedging a heavy-duty scraper in the seam of tiles or in pre-cut grooves and gradually forcing the edge up and away from floor. Be careful not to break off pieces of flooring.
  • Continue removal of flooring using hand tools, removing floor tiles intact wherever possible.
  • Immediately place removed flooring in an asbestos waste bag.
  • After removal is complete, scrape up adhesive and backing remaining on floor with a hand scraper until only a thin, smooth film remains, and place in waste bag. Do not dry scrape flooring. Do not use powered electric scrapers.
  • Immediately upon completion of the work, thoroughly clean all surfaces, items, tools and things within the work area using a HEPA filtered vacuum.
  • Clean all surfaces of protective clothing (if worn) with HEPA filtered vacuum or damp cloth, remove protective clothing (with respirator still on) and place protective clothing in asbestos waste bag and seal bag with tape.
  • Using HEPA vacuum or damp wipe methods, clean exterior of the sealed waste bag
  • Place sealed waste bag in a secondary waste bag, seal second waste bag with tape and place ACM waste bags in the designated ACM waste storage area to await disposal at an appropriately licensed waste site.
  • Proceed to wash facility and thoroughly wash hands, face, and respirator (if worn).
  • Return area to service and,
  • Ensure updated information of activities have been made to Asbestos Management Program (AMP) including retaining hard copy of documents when required.