For environmental
occupational health safe
and responsible use

Safe use manual

9. Working with chrysotile-containing friction materials

Page 20

9.2 Gasket removal and replacement

The following recommended procedure for the removal of all types of fibre reinforced gasket materials involves the use of a wet removal agent and a hand scraper.

Before breaking the flanges, position an open plastic bag underneath the flanges so the gasket and wetting agent will fall into it. Wet the flanges and break the flanges apart. If using a commercially available gasket removal spray solvent, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Spray the gasket and wait the recommended time, then scrape the gasket residue into the bag. Reapply the spray to keep the area wetted as necessary. Although the wet solvent spray is preferable, if using water as a wetting agent, wet the gasket and begin scraping the gasket off the flanges and into the bag with a hand scraper. Reapply the wet spray as necessary. After removal, wipe the flanges and tools with a rag. Dispose of rags into the bag and close. After completion of flanging operations, move to the next flange, open and position bag and begin gasket removal as described above. Dispose of nonfriable asbestos contained waste according to local regulations. All dust producing processes (such as drilling, grinding, sanding and sawing) should not be used on any gasket materials. This is particularly applicable with compressed asbestos gasket materials as this will render the material friable.

If these work practices are applied, workplace exposures levels well below 0.1 f/ml can be achieved.




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SEE ALSO...
International Program on Chemical Safety
Rotterdam convention
Photo-reportage - Control in the manufacture and use of chrysotile cement
ILO Convention 162
ILO Recommendation 172


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