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Abstract More than 15000 sq feet of asbestos cement sheets were removed by workers, contractors, and building owners with no knowledge of asbestos health hazards and safe removal. Limited asbestos abatement regulatory requirements exist in India. Under the guidance and continuous supervision of a qualified OH, the removal work was carried out as per US EPA and HSE UK standards. Workers and contractors were educated on the health hazards of asbestos and work practices to be followed to reduce to reduce potential asbestos health risk. A respirator fit testing and training was conducted. Most critical was also fall protection training and controls. Asbestos containment methods such wetting of surfaces, covering all areas of asbestos removal, HEPA filter vacuum cleaning was followed. Disposable coveralls and PPE were used, and operator and area decontamination was done. Removed asbestos sheets were impregnated with encapsulants, double bagged, and disposed off at a regulated facility. Personal, area, and clearance asbestos monitoring was conducted, and the samples were analyzed at AIHA accredited laboratory. All the results were below the asbestos occupational exposure limits and below the area clearance criteria. Also, due to fall protection training, controls and work practices the removal work was carried out without any injury. This case study demonstrated that without a regulatory requirement and with a passion to protect worker and environment, a safe asbestos removal work can be done without an injury.
Bandekar et al. (Sat,) studied this question.