ASBE Poly Glovebags

How to Use the ASBE Poly Glovebag system

PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS THROUGH CAREFULLY AND PRACTICE THESE PROCEDURES BEFORE COMMENCING WORK.

THE ASBE GLOVEBAG SYSTEM IN CONJUNCTION WITH PLANNING, COMMON SENSE AND PATIENCE WILL BE REDUCE TO THE LOWEST LEVELS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE THE EXPOSURE OF OPERATIVES TO ASBESTOS WHEN STRIPPING PIPE WORK AND ASSIST COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONTROL OF ASBESTOS AT WORK ACT 1988.

1. Before any work begins all necessary materials and supplies should be brought into the work area.  The work area should be roped off and warning signs posted.  (Barrier tape with a pre-printed asbestos warning sign works well for this purpose).

2. Before starting any removal work, inspect the insulation material along the entire length of the pipe to be stripped.  If it is damaged, clean the pipe work and surrounding surfaces using a Type H vacuum cleaner and seal the damaged areas with tape or cover them with a 'cut and wrap skin'.  (remember that when doing ASBE Glovebag work that loose pipe lagging several feet away may be disturbed, so the environment outside of the Glovebag should always be carefully monitored.)

3. ASBE Glovebags cannot be used on pipes over 50° C.  If possible, always isolate the heating and ventilation equipment in the working area.

4. Place one layer of PCL Cloth tape around the pipe at each location the glovebag will be attached.

5. Don respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and overalls in accordance with the employers assessment of exposure and check face fit.

6. Fill the water sprayer with water/PVA and obtain pressure.

7. Place the tools required (these will usually include a hammer, Asbesaw, retractable utility knife, wire wool, rags and wire cutters) through the shoulder inlet and insert into the ASBE Glovebag tool pouch. 

8. Place the ASBE Glovebag opening around the pipe work and tack in place with self adhesive strips.  Complete the top seal with PCL Cloth tape.

9. Seal the ends of the chamber by strapping and taping around the recessed collar to the taped area on the pipe.

10. Lay a sheet of 1000 gauge polythene on the floor underneath the ASBE Glovebag and locate a bucket of water and sponge close by for final clear up operations.

11. Reverse the vacuum and water wand entry sleeves outside the chamber wall.  Cut the ends and insert the spray nozzle and vacuum regulator.  Slit the ends off the make-up air socks and turn them inward to the bag.  Attach your HEPA vacuum to the regulator and turn it on.  Adjust the air flow so that the bag does not collapse while moving the air through it.  Test the air flow in the bag with a smoke test ampule.  HEPA VACUUM MUST RUN CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE ASBESTOS REMOVAL WORK.

12. Direct the water spray at the insulation material and shoulders of the ASBE Glovebag to reduce the emission of fibres.

13. Use the Asbesaw to cut the insulation at each end of the section to be removed inside the ASBE Glovebag.  Throughout this process water should be sprayed onto the cutting edge to keep dust release to a minimum.

14. Once the ends are cut, removal work can commence.  Some sectional insulation may be slit from end to end using the utility knife along the bottom of the pipe.  Some insulation may have wires to be clipped.  Other sections may need to be chipped away using a hammer and this again should be done from the bottom of the pipe.  The the insulation can be lifted off the pipe and placed into the bottom of the bag.

15. Spray the lagging with water at frequent intervals - on the pipe work and at the bottom of the ASBE Glovebag and wash down the walls of the ASBE Glovebag to maintain visibility.

16. When the insulation material has been stripped from the pipe, spray clean the tools and place them back in the tool pouch.  Then, using wire wool, rags and water, scrub and wipe down the exposed pipe inside the ASBE Glovebag.

17. Once the section of pipe is clean and asbestos-free thoroughly spray the side walls and contents of the ASBE Glovebag with amended water and dampen the exposed ends of the insulation remaining of the pipe work (which can be painted with an encapsulation membrane).

18. Once the stripping operations have been fully completed and the bag and tools thoroughly washed down, remove the water spray nozzle form the water hose inlet and seal with duct tape.

19. Put all tools in one gloved hand and pull hand and glove out inverting the glove which will now contain the tools inside.  Twist the glove to create a separate pouch and double tape or wire tie the glove to seal.  Cut between the two separate pieces of tape or wire ties and place the new glove pouch into the next ASBE Glovebag or into the bucket of water.  Open glove tool pouch under water, clean tools and then allow to dry.

20. Twist the containment area and tape its neck.

21. Slip a 500 gauge asbestos waste disposal sack onto the ASBE Glovebag (still attached to the pipe).  Remove the tape on the top of the ASBE Glovebag,  enabling it to fall gently into the waste disposal sack.

22. Remove overalls and place these into the asbestos waste disposal sack and then twist the top of the sack and seal with wire ties.

23. Tidy up the work area.  Then, using a damp rag, wipe the exterior of the respirator and leave the work area.  Remove the respirator.

24. Asbestos containing material must be disposed of  at an approved landfill site in accordance with the waste regulations.

25. Once the area has met the criteria for re-entry by unprotected personnel, the barriers may be removed and re-insulation completed.