• work in a well-ventilated area and, where possible, in the open air (but not on windy days)
• thoroughly wet down the material before you start and regularly during the work by lightly spraying surfaces with water or a 1:10 polyvinyl acetate (PVA): water solution, or with low-pressure water from a garden hose (if outdoors); keep it wet until packaged
• for transport
• use non powered hand tools (e.g. a guillotine, hand saw or hand powered drill) as these generate smaller amounts of dust and waste chips that are coarser than those generated when using power tools
• pull out any nails first to help remove sheeting with minimal breakage
• carefully lower (not drop) the sheets to the ground and stack on two
• layers of polythene sheeting at least 0.2 mm thick (e.g. heavy-duty builders’ plastic)
• minimize cutting or breaking of the asbestos cement products
• remove and dispose of personal protective equipment as described below
• shower and wash your hair immediately afterwards and, regardless of whether gloves were used, thoroughly clean your hands and fingernails to remove any dust and asbestos that may be on your body.
• use high-pressure water jets to wet surfaces as this may increase the spread of loose fibres or dust.
• slide one sheet over the surface of another as this may abrade the surface of the materials, and increase the likelihood of the release of fibres and dust.
• use power tools, abrasive cutting or sanding discs, or compressed air on asbestos cement, as these will contribute to airborne dust and debris .
• dry sand, wire brush or scrape surfaces to be painted.
• walk on corrugated asbestos cement roofs if it can be avoided — many people have been injured by falling through weathered asbestos cement roofs while attempting to treat or repair the roof surface.
• leave asbestos cement products around the garden, or where they may be broken or crushed.