Abatement Work Practices and Removal Procedures
Domain focus
This domain tests removal methods for friable and non-friable ACM, wet methods, glove bags, mini-enclosures, and work sequencing.
Core rules
- Keep ACM wet with amended water; avoid dry sweeping, dry cutting, grinding, or compressed air. Use HEPA vacuums and wet cleanup.
- Remove ACM in small sections and lower it carefully; do not drop debris. Wrap or bag waste as it is generated and seal pipe ends.
- Use glove bags for short pipe runs and mini-enclosures for valves or fittings. Workers inside must wear required PPE and avoid tearing the bag.
- Follow reverse installation order, support remaining systems, and inspect for hidden ACM. Class I work covers TSI and surfacing; Class II covers non-friable ACM; Class III is repair; Class IV is cleanup.
- Stop work if containment fails or visible emissions occur.
Worked example
A worker removes 30 feet of insulated pipe inside containment. The worker wets the insulation, attaches a glove bag, cuts the jacketing inside the bag, lets the insulation fall into the bag, wets it again, seals the pipe ends, and HEPA vacuums the area. The bag is twisted, sealed, and placed in a second bag. This sequence controls fiber release and avoids dry removal.
Traps
Do not overfill bags or drag them through clean areas. Do not remove insulation in long sections that collapse. Do not use power tools on friable ACM without controls. Do not leave pipe ends unsealed. Do not rely on a glove bag if it is torn.