Types of Asbestos Removal

TYPE 1, 2, & 3 ASBESTOS REMEDIATION WORK: 

Scheduled Work: 
Renovation and maintenance work scheduled within schools which may involve the disturbance or potential disturbance of asbestos-containing materials will be assessed by the project supervisor prior to the commencement of the renovation or maintenance work via the HMIS site. If asbestos sampling is required, arrangements must be made through the Safety Officer. If necessary, arrangements will be made to have a qualified asbestos removal contractor remove all asbestos-containing materials, which conflict with the proposed renovation or maintenance work. Supervisors are responsible for completing the Asbestos Work Permit.

Asbestos Work Classifications:
The hazard assessment of asbestos-containing materials by Workplace Safety & Heath Officer will result in a classification of the work into one of three categories: 

Type 1 Work: 

Type 1 or Low Risk Classification Activities - where there is a low risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers and almost no health risk. Type 1 work is the only activity which may be performed by Facilities & Operations staff. This includes: 

1. Installing or removing non-friable asbestos-containing manufactured products where sanding, cutting or similar operations are NOT required. Manufactured products include vinyl tile, vinyl sheet flooring and less than 10 acoustic tiles. The safe work procedures for removal of vinyl tile and or less than 10 ceiling tiles. 
2. Working in close proximity to friable material containing asbestos provided that the asbestos material is not disturbed. 
3. Transporting or handling materials containing asbestos in sealed containers. 
4. Removal of drywall where asbestos joint filling compounds have been used but where sampling analysis indicates asbestos quantities less than 1%. 

Type 2 or “Moderate Risk Classification Work":

Type 2 or Moderate Risk Classification Activities occurs when there is a moderate risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers and some health risk.  Type 2 work will only be performed by qualified asbestos removal contractors under the supervision of a qualified asbestos abatement consultant. This work includes: 

1.  Removing more than 10 ceiling tiles in one area. Removal of more than ten ceiling tiles can cause the edges to become friable and therefore cause airborne asbestos. 

2.  Removing a false ceiling, or part of it, to gain access to a work area and where friable material containing asbestos is or is likely to be, lying on the surface of the false ceiling. 

3.  Removing, encapsulating, enclosing, or disturbing minor amounts of friable material containing asbestos during the repair, alteration, or maintenance of a building, structure, machine, tool or equipment, or parts of it. Examples of minor operations which involve the disturbance of friable material are: 

• removal or encapsulation of up to 0.5 m2 area of spray applied asbestos;removal of asbestos containing pipe wrap utilizing approved pre-manufactured "glove bags";
• repair only of splits, cuts, and exposed edges of asbestos-containing mechanical insulation;
• removal of up to 0.5 m2 area of asbestos-containing boiler insulation; 
• removal of asbestos-containing gaskets. 

Type 3 or “High Risk Classification Work": 

Type 3 or High Risk Classification Activities - where there is a high risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers and a high risk of health effects.  Type 3 work will only be performed by a qualified asbestos removal contractor under the supervision of a qualified asbestos abatement consultant. Type 3 activities will include: 

1. Any removal, other than that of a minor nature, of friable material containing asbestos.
2. The spray application of a sealant to a friable asbestos-containing material.
3. Cleaning, maintaining or removing air handling equipment in buildings where sprayed fireproofing materials containing asbestos have been applied to the airways or ventilation ducts. 
4. The repair, altering or dismantling of a boiler, furnace, kiln or similar device or part of it where insulating materials containing asbestos have been used or applied. 
5. Demolishing, dismantling, altering, or repairing any building structure or parts of it in which insulating materials containing asbestos is used.