Measures for the employee against exposure to asbestos when repairing leaking AC socket with repair set to apply socket

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 refuse sacks are available.
• In addition to the required company clothing, use the following personal protective equipment: 
  • safety boots (type S5);
  • neoprene (disposable) gloves;
• Do not eat, drink or smoke within the designated work place.
• 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. 
• Use a closed drilling tool for drilling gas pipes. 

During the work

If it is necessary to depressurise the piping, then use blowers (also see the work plan).  Otherwise execute only the 'Repair the leak' activities.

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 refuse 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.

Repair the leak:

• Thoroughly clean the socket and the pipe ends at the leak with a soft brush and water.
• Use a sealing system for leaking socket / peg connections (Encapress) or:Place rubber strings cut to size on the pipe and against the ends of the socket.
  • Position metal split flanges on the pipe and against the rubber strings and connect them to each other with tension bars 
  • Press the rubber strings taut with the tension bars against the socket ends.
     

Pressurise the pipe:

• 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 refuse sack labelled ‘asbestos’ to the asbestos waste container. 
• When you leave the workplace, throw the disposable gloves away in a refuse sack in the asbestos-containing waste.  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 new disposable gloves on.

When the work is finished

• After finishing the work activities inspect the work place for asbestos-containing waste and disposable gloves which may have been left behind and collect and pack it in refuse sacks labelled ‘asbestos’ and put it into the asbestos-waste container.
• Rinse boots and neoprene gloves.
• Clean the tools with water.
• Wash your hands, arms and face.