Asbestos is a natural mineral composed of fibrous silicates, which gives it high tensile strength and good heat and fire resistance. It can be found in building materials, friction and insulation products.
Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal lining) and asbestosis (fibrosis of lung tissues). These diseases are insidious in nature and take many years to manifest.
Since the late 1980s, the use of asbestos materials in buildings and the import of raw asbestos have been prohibited by the Building Control Division (currently known as Building and Construction Authority) and the Ministry of the Environment (currently known as Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment) respectively.
However, some of the older buildings may still have asbestos-containing materials such as corrugated roofs, ceiling boards and partition walls. Removal or demolition of such materials can generate asbestos fibres, which may pose a health hazard to the workers, building occupants and the public.
If there is any damage to asbestos containing materials in buildings, you are required to engage an asbestos removal contractor approved by MOM for any removal or repair of the asbestos containing materials. For more information on management of asbestos in buildings, please refer to the following guide.
Under the Workplace Safety and Health (Asbestos) Regulations which are administered by the Ministry of Manpower, an approved asbestos-removal contractor must notify MOM at least 1 week before the start of asbestos-removal work.
Non-friable asbestos containing materials in buildings should not pose a health hazard if the materials are in good condition and are not damaged. In such cases, the removal of asbestos containing materials is not necessary.
Contractors who are responsible in removing the asbestos wastes/debris are required to engage a licensed TIWC capable of handling asbestos wastes/debris to clean up and transport the asbestos wastes directly to Semakau Landfill. These licensed TIWCs have the capabilities and expertise in handling and barging the asbestos safely to Semakau Landfill. Please note some of the special handling instructions for contractors and TIWCs:
- The asbestos materials must be securely placed into a sealed container or bag.
- All materials used in the asbestos removal works such as plastic sheets, tapes, cleaning materials, clothing and filter bags used in the vacuum systems and all other disposable materials used in the work area must also be packed into a sealed container or bag. for removal.
- Containers of asbestos waste (including materials contaminated with asbestos) must be labelled with one or more labels-
- that indicates the contents of the container or bag
- warns of the hazards of exposure to asbestos (e.g. Asbestos - Do not inhale dust)
- prominently displayed
- The containers of asbestos waste must be barged directly to Semakau Landfill.
- Asbestos wastes are properly kept in sealed containers/bags with appropriate labels, and that the outside of the containers is not contaminated with asbestos.
- The containers must be loaded onto the transport vehicle in a careful manner to prevent damage to the containers.
- The vehicles used to transport containers with asbestos waste must have enclosed compartments or canvas to contain the transported waste to prevent damage to the containers and to prevent fibre release.
- No compactors may be used as it may cause rupture to the containers with asbestos waste.
For disposal of asbestos waste generated from vessels, please refer to the circular which can be found here.
All approved asbestos disposal contractors are to obtain written permission from NEA in order to dispose of asbestos wastes at the Semakau Landfill. The list of TIWCs which are approved to dispose asbestos can be found here.