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IS 11768:1986 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommendations for disposal of asbestos waste material. This standard provides recommendations for the safe handling, collection, transportation, and disposal of asbestos-containing waste materials. It aims to prevent environmental pollution and protect public and worker health from the hazards of airborne asbestos fibers.
Recommendations for disposal of asbestos waste material
! This code is critical for any demolition or renovation of buildings constructed before the widespread ban on asbestos. It was reaffirmed in 2018 and remains active.
! The primary principle is to keep the asbestos waste material wet at all times during handling to prevent fibers from becoming airborne.
! Proper, certified Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially respirators (e.g., FFP3), is non-negotiable for all personnel handling asbestos waste.
ACOP L143 (Second edition)Health and Safety Executive (HSE), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
Managing and working with asbestos - Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Approved Code of Practice and guidance
Provides practical guidance on asbestos waste containment, labelling, transport, and disposal to comply with UK law.
Code of Practice: How to safely remove asbestos (July 2020)Safe Work Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Code of Practice: How to safely remove asbestos
Details national requirements for asbestos waste containment, labelling, transport, and disposal at licensed facilities.
The Hazardous Products (Asbestos-Containing Products) RegulationsHealth Canada, Canada
MediumCurrent
Asbestos-Containing Products Regulations
Focuses on prohibiting asbestos products but provincial/territorial regulations govern waste disposal, which align with international best practices.
Key Differences
≠IS 11768 is a 'Recommendation' (voluntary standard), whereas its main international equivalents (e.g., US EPA NESHAP, UK CAR 2012) are legally binding regulations with significant enforcement and penalties.
≠International standards are more prescriptive on packaging materials. For instance, US EPA 40 CFR 61.150 requires bags to be at least 6-mil (152 µm) thick, while IS 11768 only recommends 'impermeable' HDPE/LDPE bags without specifying a thickness.
≠International regulations often mandate a 'cradle-to-grave' waste tracking system using manifests or consignment notes (e.g., US EPA, UK HSE), a level of formal tracking not explicitly detailed in IS 11768.
≠The Australian Code of Practice requires a significantly thicker daily cover at landfills (500 mm of general waste) compared to the 150 mm of soil/inert material specified in IS 11768.
Key Similarities
≈All standards universally mandate the wetting of asbestos waste (especially friable types) to suppress airborne fibres during handling and before packaging.
≈The practice of double-bagging asbestos waste into sealed, impermeable plastic bags is a common requirement across IS 11768 and its international counterparts.
≈All standards require that asbestos waste be clearly labelled with warnings indicating the presence of asbestos and the associated severe health risks, such as cancer and lung disease.
≈Disposal is restricted to specially designated and licensed landfill sites that are approved to accept hazardous asbestos waste, ensuring it is kept separate from general municipal waste.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Daily Landfill Cover Depth
At least 150 mm of soil or other inert material.
At least 6 inches (approx. 152 mm) of compact, non-asbestos material.
US EPA 40 CFR 61.150
Final Landfill Cover Depth
At least 1 m of compact soil.
A final cover of at least 1 m of soil.
Safe Work Australia Code of Practice
Packaging Bag Thickness
Not specified (material is HDPE/LDPE).
At least 6-mil (approx. 152 micrometres) thickness.
US EPA 40 CFR 61.150
Packaging Standard
Impermeable bags (HDPE/LDPE).
UN-approved packaging, with a red inner bag (with warnings) and clear outer bag (with warnings).
UK HSE ACOP L143
Primary Warning Label Text
"CAUTION - ASBESTOS FIBRES"
"DANGER - CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS - AVOID CREATING DUST - CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD"
US EPA 40 CFR 61.150
Waste Transportation Record
Records of disposal to be maintained by generator.
A waste shipment record (manifest) must be maintained and must accompany the waste to the disposal site.
US EPA 40 CFR 61.150
Vehicle Requirement
Transported in covered leak-proof vehicles.
Transported in a covered vehicle with a segregated, sealed compartment for asbestos waste.
Safe Work Australia Code of Practice
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
Minimum depth of final soil cover for burial1 m
Minimum distance of disposal site from water bodies1000 m
Minimum distance of disposal site from highways/habitations500 m
What is the recommended method for disposing of asbestos waste?+
The primary method is careful burial at a specially selected and approved landfill site. The waste should be covered with at least 20 cm of soil daily and a final cover of at least 1 m of compacted soil (Clause 6).
How should asbestos waste be packaged before disposal?+
It should be wetted, placed in impermeable, sealed bags (e.g., heavy-duty polythene), and each bag must carry a warning sign stating 'DANGER - CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBRES' (Clause 4).
Can anyone transport asbestos waste?+
No, transportation should be done in covered, leak-proof vehicles by personnel trained in handling hazardous materials, following a pre-planned route to the disposal site (Clause 5).
What are the key safety precautions for workers?+
Workers must wear appropriate PPE, including respirators and disposable overalls. Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited in the work area, and decontamination facilities should be provided (Clause 7).