Precautions for anti-seismic interventions in the presence of asbestos.

When tackling a seismic improvement intervention in a building containing asbestos, it is essential to take specific precautions to ensure the safety of workers and occupants. In Italy, the use of asbestos has been prohibited by Law no. 257 of 27 March 1992. However, the confirmed or potential presence of this substance on construction sites still requires the application of rigorous safety measures:

Preliminary assessment of the presence of asbestos:

Before starting any seismic improvement intervention, it is mandatory for the employer to perform a preventive assessment on the presence of asbestos in the building, as established by Art. 248 of the Consolidated Work Safety Act (TUSL). This assessment should involve qualified experts in the field of remediation of this material and include any measures necessary to identify the presence of materials with potential asbestos content.

Risk assessment and adoption of preventive measures:

Pursuant to Art. 249 of the TUSL, the employer must assess the risks due to dust originating from asbestos and materials containing it in order to establish the nature and degree of exposure and the preventive and protective measures to be adopted. This assessment must be conducted before undertaking the seismic improvement work and must take into account the provisions set out in Article 28 of the TUSL.

Reduction of the concentration of asbestos dust in the air:

According to Art. 251 of the TUSL, all activities subject to Art. 246 must adopt measures to minimise the concentration of asbestos dust in the air of the workplace. This implies limiting the number of workers exposed to asbestos cement dust to a minimum, as well as the mandatory use of respiratory personal protective equipment with a protection factor adequate for the concentration of this substance in the air.

Management of waste containing asbestos:

During the seismic improvement intervention, it is essential to scrupulously follow the procedures for the removal and safe disposal of asbestos. The law requires that the removal of this material be carried out by qualified and authorised professionals, in compliance with current regulatory provisions. Measures must be taken to contain and limit the spread of asbestos fibres during the removal process and ensure that waste containing asbestos is disposed of correctly and in accordance with environmental regulations.

Performing a seismic improvement intervention in the presence of asbestos requires observing rigorous precautions to ensure the safety of workers and building occupants. The verification of the presence of asbestos, the risk assessment, and the adaptation of preventive and protective measures, as well as the correct management of waste containing asbestos are fundamental elements to ensure a safe working environment and legal compliance. Collaboration with qualified experts and compliance with regulatory provisions are essential for an effective and safe seismic improvement intervention in the presence of asbestos.

Seriana S.p.A. has developed a professional system to deal with construction sites of this type, adapting the Essezero method for cases where the possible presence of asbestos dust has been detected. Thanks to the use of specific equipment and work processes developed ad hoc, dust emission during the work is reduced or even eliminated altogether, which is an important factor for companies demanding this level of attention.