The terms chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite or actonolite are not exactly common. However, their more common name, asbestos, is too familiar to many
Asbestos is a natural fiber that is highly resistant to heat, chemicals and corrosion. and has a high tensile strength. These properties make the material useful in many types of products, including automotive brakes, roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, insulation, fire blankets, concrete, pipes, drywall, the protective clothing, stage curtains, garden furniture and joint compound. During World War II, asbestos was also widely used in ships to wrap the pipes, cover motors and parts of turbines and boilers line. Many schools have also been used to provide protection against fire.
Asbestos fibers are often too small to be seen by the human eye, but they can remain suspended in the air for a long time and are easily inhaled. When inhaled, they can cause serious lung diseases including asbestosis (scaring of the lungs), mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer) and other respiratory problems. Often these diseases take years to develop.
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began regulating the exposure of employees to asbestos in 1972, and there are specific standards for general industry (29 CFR 1910.1001), the Construction (29 CFR 1926.1101,) and shipbuilding (29 CFR 1915.1001). These standards require employers to develop a written plan that addresses the exposure and establishes processes or procedures to minimize risk.
to determine whether a plan is needed, air monitoring should be performed. If employees are exposed to more than 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (1 f / cc) on a weighted average life of 8 hours (TWA) daily or short-term excursion limit (ELT), 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter of air (0.1 f / cc) as an average over a 30 minute sampling period; a plan must be created.
The plan must describe a training program for employees. Are also required or recommended following planning elements :.
- Conduct air monitoring to determine exposure
- Build controlled areas or "restricted areas" where work with asbestos is performed; and limit access to this area to authorized personnel who have been trained and are wearing the personal protective equipment.
- Prohibit eating, smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco or gum and cosmetics in these zones or regions
- provide medical examinations for employees affected
- display signs warning
- does not allow removal of contaminated clothing and shower or locker rooms. Use closed containers to store clothing until laundered or disposed of
- Do not use compressed air to remove dust. Use a HEPA vacuum up
- Seal waste in well-marked bags
- Conduct air monitoring at least once every six months.
- Keep records of monitoring, training records and medical records
OSHA has developed an asbestos package to help employers create plans. They also have a free asbestos checklist inspection and other educational materials on their website.
This is a guest post from Karen Hamel, who is the EHS specialist technical and New Pig. New Pig is a multi-channel, multi-brand manufacturer and merchandiser offering the largest selection in the world of absorbent products and other industrial safety products to help keep the workplace clean and safe environment. Have a question or comment? Let us know in the comments.
