Measures for the employee against exposure to asbestos when making connection to AC pipe by punching

Before you begin

• You may only execute the work activities if you have attended ‘working safely with asbestos cement pipes' training. 
• If the circumstances deviate from the work plan: Cease the work activities and contact the person responsible for the work.
• Before you begin check that refuse sacks, a suitable liquid water-based binding agent (such as latex), including equipment for its application, and asbestos waste container(s) are available.
• In addition to the required company clothing, use the following personal protective equipment: 
  • safety boots (type S5)
  • neoprene (disposable) gloves
• For cutting into the pipe you should also wear:
  • a disposable overall for once-off use (class 5 or 6).
  • a full face filter mask P3
• Do not eat, drink or smoke within the designated workplace.
• The work activities must be executed in such a manner that no more than 2 employees are directly involved.
• Ensure that the pipe remains covered with approximately 5 -10 cm soil, until you begin work on the pipe. 
• Keep the pipe or socket moist during the metal removing work activities. 
• For splitting parts of the pipe use only the following equipment: 
  • a sledge hammer (preferred method);
  • a chain cutter for the sections of pipes with an inner diameter of less than 300 mm;
  • pneumatic or electrically powered saw. The saws must fulfil the following conditions: 
    • a rotating saw must not have a rotational frequency higher than 100 revolutions per minute;
    • a backward and forward motion saw must not have a linear sawing speed greater than 25 meters per minute.
• Use a closed drilling tool for drilling gas pipes. 
• With all work activities, ensure that the breaking and cutting surfaces are moist. 

During the work

• Release the pressure of the pipe using blowers.
• Clean and wet the pipe.
• Place the drilling tool saddle on the pipe.
• Mount the valve organ (valve or one-way valve) on the saddle.
• Pour a quantity of approximately  0.2 litres of water into the valve organ.
• Assemble the drilling tool and open the pipe.
• Immediately store the drilled out asbestos cement disc in a plastic sack labelled ‘asbestos’. 
• Remove the drilling tool and clean it thoroughly with water.
• Apply the blowers via the valve organ in the pipe and pressurise them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• If it is stated in the VIAG work plan that a second blower must be used, then repeat the above steps.
• Repeat the steps above on the other side of the pipe section which is to be depressurised.
• It is preferable to remove the whole pipe:
  • Wet the sockets.
  • Strike the sockets with the sledge hammer.
  • Remove the whole pipe.
  • Immediately collect and pack the broken pieces in plastic refuse sacks labelled 'asbestos'.
• Alternatively remove a section of the pipe:
  • Thoroughly wet the pipe at the split/cutting point
  • Strike the pipe with the sledge hammer (or cut or saw it).
  • Grease or spray the ends of the split pipes immediately with a suitable water-based liquid binding agent (such as latex).
  • Pack the pipe parts and the broken pieces in plastic refuse sacks labelled 'asbestos'.
• Thoroughly clean the peg ends of the AC-pipe or the pipe ends of the cut pipe with a soft brush and water. 
• Fit the A, B or T pieces to be used together with the replacement pipe parts using fittings and special sockets which can compensate for differences in external diameters.
• Thoroughly clean the removed blowers and related equipment with water and paper or cloth. Remove paper or cloth with the other asbestos containing waste in a closed sack labelled ‘asbestos’ to the asbestos waste container. 
• When you leave the workplace, throw the disposable overall, disposable gloves and the filter mask away in a refuse sack in the asbestos containing waste. Clean the mask. Place your safety boots and neoprene gloves at the edge of your work place. 
• Wash your hands and arms, and also your face if you are going to eat or drink.
• If you are returning to your work place, then put on a new disposable overall and disposable gloves and put a new filter in the mask.

When the work is finished

• After finishing the work activities inspect the workplace for any asbestos-containing waste which may have been left behind and collect and pack this in refuse sacks labelled ‘asbestos’.
• Clean the tools with water.
• Put the used disposable clothing and disposable gloves together with the filter mask in a plastic sack labelled 'asbestos', in the asbestos waste container. 
• Rinse boots and neoprene gloves.
• Wash your hands, arms and face.