Asbestos has been banned in several countries of the world because it has a disastrous effect on the health of people. Although the use of this material has greatly reduced, it has not been completely removed in Australia.

In 1967, the Australian government banned crocidolite, more popularly known as blue asbestos. In the 1980, brown asbestos or amosite asbestos was banned. The government ruled that all traces of asbestos should be removed from buildings by December 31st, 2003. However, homes that were built before the ruling continue to have asbestos shingles, brakes, gaskets, electric meter boxes and several roofing components.

HOW IS ASBESTOS DANGEROUS?

The fibres from asbestos cause a very dangerous kind of cancer called mesothelioma, which strikes the thin layer covering all the vital organs in the body. Lung cancer is another common finding in people who work around places where asbestos is present.

The material causes a non-cancerous condition called Asbestosis in which fibres lodge in the lungs and cause chronic breathing problems. In advanced cases, asbestosis causes complete lung failure and subsequent death.

DANGERS OF ASBESTOS ROOF REMOVAL

While working with asbestos roofs, the biggest danger is spread of the fibres. The removal techniques of asbestos-based materials from buildings and other structures should be carried out by methods which minimise the release of asbestos dust into the atmosphere, both during and after the removal operation. The choice of method is determined by the nature of the asbestos material, the quantity of insulant and its location.

Before removal of Asbestos there are stricked procedures that have to be followed to eliminate the spread of asbestos fibres. All workers have to be licensed in the removal of Asbestos and there are 2 types of licences depending on the type of asbestos being removed.

Some procedures that need to be followed areas follows:

PVA glue sprayed on the asbestos to lock in the fibres / Ceilings and gutters to be vacuumed with a special asbestos filtered vacuum / encasing the asbestos material in plastic once it has been removed of the roof / approved disposal contractors to dispose of the material / official letters to neighbours on either side of the property to warn them of the procedure that is about to be undertaken. These are just some of the procedures that should be followed by law.

CONTACT CERTIFIED ROOFING

If your roof has certain asbestos elements, you need to immediately contact a specialised asbestos roof removal expert and decide the future course of action. Certified Roofing is a certified roofing contractor in Australia. We specialise in safe removal of asbestos from your premises. With over 25 years of experience, we ensure that your home is not affected during removal. Call us on (07) 3823 6888 or fill in our contact form for a free consultation and quote.