Waste Handling, Packaging, and Disposal
Waste Packaging
Asbestos waste must be packaged to prevent fiber release during handling and transport. Standard practice: wet the waste, place it in 6-mil (or thicker) leak-tight bags, and double-bag or place bags in sealed, labeled drums. Bags must be gooseneck-tied and labeled with the required warning. Sharps and heavy debris go in rigid containers.
Labeling and Transport
Labels must identify the waste as asbestos-containing and carry the required warning. Waste is transported by trained personnel to an approved landfill permitted to accept asbestos. Manifests track waste from generation to disposal. Candidates should know that waste must not be compacted in a way that releases fibers, and that friable waste requires more careful handling than nonfriable.
Traps to Watch
Common traps: (1) assuming single-bagging is acceptable (double-bagging is standard); (2) forgetting to wet waste before bagging; (3) assuming any landfill accepts asbestos waste (only approved ones do); (4) confusing manifest requirements with notification requirements; (5) forgetting labels. Also watch for questions about bag-out procedures through decon.
Rule of Thumb
Use the "wet, double, label, manifest" sequence for every load of asbestos waste.
Worked Example
A worker fills a bag with dry debris and ties it once. The correct practice is to wet the debris, double-bag it, gooseneck-tie it, and label it before it leaves the containment.