While homeowners are permitted to remove small amounts of asbestos material in their own property, any large jobs are usually left to a trained professional. Asbestos can cause severe health problems for those that do not take the proper precautions. In fact, taking the proper precautions when removing the material is as important as following the correct procedure when actually working with asbestos. This article looks at how to safely store and remove asbestos from your property.

Get A Lockable Skip

It is not good enough to use a regular skip to store the asbestos in while you are working on it from within your property. Any pieces of asbestos material that you do wish to store in a skip – perhaps until the time when a licensed company can remove it – should only be stored in a skip that has a closeable lid on it. Moreover, the skip should have the capability of being locked while you wait for it to be taken away. Any family members or friends who can inadvertently open the skip could suffer from exposure. Lastly, if you can get it, rent a skip that has different internal sections and store the asbestos away from other material when in the skip.

Use The Right Bags And Warning Signs

Although you can use some paper and a pen to attach warning signs to any bags containing asbestos, you are better off purchasing some specific bags for the job. These bags are made of tough plastic and will have the appropriate warning labels already printed onto them. Sometimes, a label you have put on yourself may fall off, potentially causing others, such as waste facility staff, to open it to see what is inside. Using specialized bags avoids this altogether. Remember to always double wrap any bags that contain asbestos and be wary of sharp materials that may potentially split or puncture the bags.

Get The Right Vehicle Placards

If you can find a waste facility that is fairly close to your property who will accept your asbestos, you will have to take further precautions when out on the road. Never place the bags of asbestos inside your vehicle – use a trailer instead. Ensure that the trailer has a covering, such as plastic sheeting or tarpaulin, and that the covering is securely fitted when in transit. You will also need to pick up the correct signage to fix to the rear of the vehicle, so other drivers know that you are carrying a hazardous material. The placards can be purchased from some hardware outlets and specialized asbestos shops.

Be aware that some waste facilities will not accept any asbestos waste from private individuals, they will only accept the waste from a licensed business. If this is the case, you can contact a professional asbestos disposal service to take care of your waste for you.