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BUSINESS NEWS - Before the dangers of asbestos became widely published, this mineral was mined extensively and used in the manufacturing of a variety of products.  Asbestos was especially popular in the manufacturing of construction related products, such as roof sheeting, gutters, pipes, insulation, and ceiling panels.

Asbestos is a fibrous silicate material which can be dangerous to one’s health when microscopic fibres become airborne and is inhaled or ingested.  

The human body cannot expel these asbestos fibres, and over time it could lead to a number of serious and often fatal lung diseases such as:

• Mesothelioma – which is cancer affecting the lining of the lungs along with the lining of the lower digestive tract.
• Asbestos-related lung cancer – which is the same as lung cancer originating from the smoking of tobacco and related products, and other causes.
• Asbestosis – which is a serious condition that causes irreversible scarring of the lung tissue that results from extended exposure to asbestos over many years.
• Pleural thickening – which is a problem that stems from extended and excessive exposure to asbestos. When this condition occurs, the lining of the lung, or pleura, thickens and begins to swell. When the condition worsens, the lung itself is squeezed, and it can cause shortness of breath along with discomfort in the chest.

Asbestos Removal and Roofing are specialised asbestos roof replacement contractors in Cape Town. They provide safe and affordable roof restorations to protect you and your family from the harmful effects of asbestos exposure.

They take an integrated approach that includes identifying asbestos, sampling and testing, safe removal, and re-roofing.

All their employees undergo annual training and health screening according to stipulated health and safety regulations of the Department of Labour.

What’s involved in this process?

Identifying the asbestos in your building
During this important first phase of the asbestos roof replacement process, the team will identify the presence and quantity of asbestos in roof sheets / tiles, gutters, downpipes, facia boards and ceiling panels.

Asbestos Sampling and Testing
If there is uncertainty on whether asbestos is present, samples will be taken and testing will be done by a laboratory using electron microscopy.  

Asbestos Removal
Once materials containing asbestos have been identified, the Approved Asbestos Inspection Authority (AAIA) visits the site and compiles a work plan.  The work plan must be submitted to and approved by the Department of Labour before work can commence.  The approval process can take up to ten working days.

Once work commences everyone entering the asbestos removal site are compelled to wear the appropriate prescribed protective clothing and masks (PPE), to safeguard them from inhaling or ingesting hazardous asbestos fibres.

Specially provided disposal bins are placed on asbestos removal sites. Damaged and cracked asbestos-containing products must be adequately wetted and wrapped in heavy duty plastic. Small fragments are placed in smaller heavy duty plastic bags and secured with cable ties. Wetting asbestos helps prevent microscopic fibres from becoming airborne when transported. 

Air Monitoring
Air monitoring means that the air within an enclosed area is sampled and tested for airborne asbestos fibres. Air monitoring usually takes place before, during and after asbestos is removed.  A site will only be ‘cleared’ by the AAIA once it is safe for people to inhabit the area, which means that the level of airborne asbestos fibres must be within the prescribed legal range.

Transport of Asbestos
There are very strict rules for transportation of asbestos prior to disposal.  Asbestos may not be transported by any means and can only be transported and disposed of by registered asbestos contractors such as Asbestos Removal and Roofing.

Disposal of Asbestos
Asbestos cannot be disposed of at any building material dumping site. This is highly illegal. It can only be disposed of at prescribed asbestos disposal sites.  In Cape Town asbestos-containing waste is disposed of by the City of Cape Town in accordance with applicable legislation at a landfill site called  Vissershok. This is a trenched, co-disposal low-hazard (H:h) landfill operation.

When arriving at Vissershok to dispose of asbestos-containing materials, the removal / disposal company has to have the correct documentation and permission before being allowed to dispose of any hazardous asbestos material.

Re-roofing
The advantage of using Asbestos Removal and Roofing is that roof replacement can commence while asbestos is being removed, which means that a structure has minimum time without a roof.  This becomes especially important during the rainy winter months.  They offer a wide variety of roofing options such as roof sheeting, tiles and slate, as well as building of roof trusses, installation of ceilings, gutters and downpipes.

Cost of an Asbestos Roof Replacement
The cost of asbestos removal and roof replacement by Asbestos Removal and Roofing will include:

• Site visits, air monitoring (if necessary) and workplan of the Approved Asbestos Inspection Authority (AAIA). 
• Labour to remove the asbestos.
• Transport and disposal of asbestos
• Material and labour to construct new roof and if needed, ceilings, gutters, and downpipes

Asbestos Removal and Roofing offer quotations on any industrial, commercial, or residential buildings, and deliver a superior holistic roofing service in Cape Town and surrounding areas.

Also Read: New Regulations Push South Africa Towards An Asbestos-Free Environment

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