FAILURE OF BAGS AND SHEETS USED IN ASBESTOS ABATEMENTS

Plastic films are widely used in asbestos stripping operations as shee ts to contain fibers within the operation and to bag and wrap asbestos waste. Mechanical failure of these films is not infrequent. The mecha nical properties of single samples of seven Australian films were inve stigated and it was found that no film passed all tests to British Sta ndard 4932: 1973. Thicker films with good tensile strength, elongation , tear resistance, and burst strength failed impact resistance and ten sile-impact strength tests, while thin films had good impact propertie s. The results of these tests are discussed in terms of failure in the field, but the relationship between passing or failing a test and fai lure in the field is not known.