What should be done before starting any work with asbestos?

Before starting any work with asbestos, performing a risk assessment is crucial. This step involves evaluating the work site to identify potential hazards and determining the presence of asbestos materials. By conducting a risk assessment, handlers can establish safety protocols, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and necessary control measures to mitigate exposure risks to workers and others in the vicinity. This proactive approach helps ensure compliance with safety regulations and provides a structured plan for handling the asbestos safely, ultimately protecting the health of everyone involved.

The other options may have importance in certain contexts but do not address the immediate need for safety. Notified clients is certainly a courtesy and may be part of project management; obtaining a demolition permit is necessary for legal compliance but doesn't address safety measures specifically before work begins; and starting with removal would be premature without assessing risks first. Overall, understanding the risks associated with asbestos work is foundational to safe handling practices.