Removing Asbestos-Containing Roofing Materials

To remove asbestos-containing roofing materials, employers must ensure that workers do the following:

• Remove them intact if feasible,
• Use wet methods when intact removal is infeasible, and
• Mist cutting machines continuously during use, unless the competent person determines misting to be unsafe.

When removing built-up roofs using a power roof cutter employers must ensure that workers observe the following procedures:

• Use power cutters equipped with HEPA dust collectors or perform HEPA vacuuming along the cut line for roofs that have asbestos-containing roofing felts and an aggregate surface.
• Use power cutters equipped with HEPA dust collectors, or perform HEPA vacuuming along the cut line, or gently sweep along the cut line and then carefully and completely wipe up the still-wet dust and debris that was acquired for roofs that have asbestos-containing roofing felts and a smooth surface.
• Do not drop or throw to the ground asbestos containing material that has been removed from a roof.
• Carry or pass the ACM to the ground by hand, or lower the material to the ground via covered, dust-tight chute, crane or hoist.
• Lower both intact ACM and non-intact ACM to the ground as soon as it is practicable, but no later than the end of the work shift.
• Keep material wet if it is not intact, or place it in impermeable waste bags, or wrap it in plastic sheeting while it remains on the roof.
• Lower to the ground, as soon as possible or by the end of the work shift, any unwrapped or unbagged roofing material using a covered, dust-tight chute, crane, or hoist.
• Place unwrapped materials in closed containers to prevent scattering dust after the materials reach the ground.
• Isolate roof level heating and ventilation air intake sources or shut down the ventilation system.

To learn more about Construction Asbestos Safety visit our Construction Asbestos Safety Online Training web page.