Decontamination and Waste Handling
Decontamination sequence
A four-stage decon unit keeps fibers from leaving the work area: dirty room, shower, clean room, and equipment pass-through. Workers remove contaminated suits in the dirty room, shower, then dress in the clean room. Equipment and bagged waste exit through a separate load-out or washdown.
Waste handling
- Wet waste, double-bag in labeled asbestos bags, and seal each bag; sharp or heavy debris goes in rigid containers.
- Label with the asbestos warning and generator information.
- Store waste in a secured area; transport with a waste manifest to an approved landfill permitted to accept asbestos.
- Do not compact, reuse bags, or leave waste outside the containment overnight without control.
Worked example
A worker finishes removal and exits: HEPA-vacuum the suit, remove boot covers and outer suit in the dirty room, place them in an asbestos bag, shower, then dress in the clean room. The bagged waste goes through the load-out, is manifested, and shipped to a permitted landfill. If the worker walks into the clean room still suited, the decon sequence has failed.
Traps
Do not bag waste in the clean room; do not use ordinary trash bags; do not omit the manifest; do not store waste where rain or wind can disturb it. Do not let workers re-use disposable suits.