What Is The Difference Between Friable & Non-Friable Asbestos?

What Is The Difference Between Friable and Non-Friable Asbestos?

Asbestos is an extremely hazardous material that can cause serious health problems if disturbed. When damaged or disturbed, asbestos releases microscopic particles into the surrounding air that can cause damage and illness when inhaled. The difference between friable and non-friable asbestos is important to understand because, depending on the type of asbestos present, different safety protocols need to be followed for handling it safely. Class B Asbestos training in Sydney with Edway covers everything you need to know about Non-Friable Asbestos Removal.

What Is Friable Asbestos?

Friable asbestos is a form of asbestos that is easily broken or crumbled into a dust-like form when handled. This form of asbestos, which can be found in products such as insulation and ceiling tiles, is particularly dangerous because it can release microscopic particles that can be inhaled. Therefore, if friable asbestos needs to be removed from a building or site, special safety protocols must be followed to avoid exposure.

What Is Non-Friable Asbestos?

Non-friable asbestos is tightly bound and held together, making it much harder to break down into a dust-like form. This asbestos, which can be found in products like cement sheeting, floor tiles and roof shingles, is much less hazardous than friable asbestos because it is not easily disturbed. However, non-friable asbestos becomes friable if it has been damaged or degraded over time, so special caution must be taken when dealing with this form of material.

Class B Asbestos Training Sydney

At Edway we provide Class B Asbestos Training in Sydney, where we focus on non-friable asbestos removal. The purpose of this course is to provide a certification and all the knowledge required to provide non-friable asbestos removal in Australia. During this course we focus on how to prepare for asbestos removal, how to prepare the site, what safety precautions need to be followed, decontamination of the site, and more. After taking this course, you receive a Statement of Attainment, and the Class B Asbestos Removal Plastic Card issued by TAA.

It is important for anyone who works with or around either type of asbestos to understand the difference between the two types of asbestos. Friable asbestos is much more hazardous than non-friable because it easily releases dangerous particles into the environment that can be inhaled. Therefore, those who work with this type of material need the necessary training to know how to safely handle and remove it. Have a look at our Class B Asbestos Training in Sydney, here.