Special precautions must be taken to reduce exposure to asbestos while sawing, sanding, grinding, drilling, breaking, general maintenance, renovation or demolition activities, as dust/fibre may be produced.
Home owners can maintain, remove or dispose of asbestos-cement products in their homes relatively safely (and legally) as long as necessary precautions are carefully followed. However, because it may be difficult to follow all of these precautions, and/or find a licensed asbestos landfill site, the VTHC recommends that a licensed and VTHC approved asbestos removalist be called. (See the VTHC List of Removalists). If in doubt, call in the experts. If you are not going to do the work yourself, then only a licensed removalist can remove and dispose of it - as the home then becomes classified as a 'workplace'.
If you, or a removalist, is working, demolishing or removing asbestos containing materials, remember your neighbours, and let them know what's going on. Under the Nuisance Act, any nuisances that are, or are liable to be, offensive or dangerous to health could be investigated by an environmental health officer of your local council.