Asbestos Safety Program

Purpose

Policy

It is the policy of [COMPANY] that only qualified employees shall be involved in any asbestos repairs, maintenance or removal. All unqualified employees shall be protected from exposure to asbestos fibers by isolating and controlling access to all affected areas during asbestos work. All tasks involving the disturbance of asbestos containing material will be conducted only after appropriate work controls have been identified and implemented. A qualified supervisor shall be available at asbestos controlled work sites during all activities. Proper personal protective equipment, vacuums and hepa filters shall be used and properly maintained. If outside contractors are used, the company shall ensure all contractor employees have been properly trained and have been issued proper equipment and protective gear.

Responsibilities

Management

• Ensure all Asbestos Containing Material is identified and labeled
• Ensure training is effective for authorized employees
• Conduct medical surveillance of affected employees
• Establish engineering controls for all work with asbestos containing material
• Provide adequate and proper equipment and personal protective gear
• Ensure proper disposal of all asbestos containing material

Supervisors

• Qualified supervisors shall provide effective on-site management during work with asbestos containing material
• Supervisors will notify ___________________ immediately upon discovering damaged asbestos material

Employees

• Qualified employees must follow the exact procedures for repair or removal of asbestos containing material, including proper use of containment equipment, clean up equipment and personal protective gear.
• Unqualified employees are to stay clear of all asbestos work areas and report any damaged asbestos containing material to their supervisor

Hazards

Asbestos is a common, naturally occurring group of fibrous minerals.  Asbestos fibers have been used in a variety of building materials, however, [COMPANY] takes an aggressive effort to use non-asbestos containing materials in new construction and renovation projects. Generally, most asbestos is found in pipe insulation, doors, textured paints and plasters, structural fireproofing, and floor tiles. Friable asbestos (that is, material that contains more than 0.1% asbestos by weight and can be crumbled by hand) is a potential hazard because it can release fibers into the air if damaged.  Long term exposure to airborne asbestos is necessary for chronic lung disease. Significant and long-term exposure to asbestos from activities that directly disturb asbestos-containing materials (such as asbestos mining) can lead to a variety of respiratory diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining). Asbestosis is a non-malignant, irreversible disease resulting in fibrosis of the lung. Asbestos-related cancers tend also to result from substantial long-term exposure, however, mesothelioma may result from much smaller exposures to asbestos.

Hazard Control

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls include the use of enclosures such as monitoring equipment, glove bags, tenting, negative pressure work areas, HEPA filters, controlled vacuums, water misters and other equipment to ensure containment and clean up of asbestos work areas.

Administrative Controls

All qualified workers shall be issued proper personal protective equipment, such as respirators, disposable coveralls, gloves, etc. Written procedures and management authorizations are required for all work involving asbestos containing material

Training Controls

All qualified employees, supervisors and managers shall received the proper level of training, as outlined in this programs

Definitions

Asbestos - Asbestos is a generic term describing a family of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals. As a group, the minerals are noncombustible, do not conduct heat or electricity and are resistant to many chemicals. Although there are several other varieties that have been used commercially, the most common asbestos mineral types likely to be encountered in [COMPANY] buildings are chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Among these, white asbestos is by far the most common asbestos mineral present in [COMPANY] buildings.

Friable Asbestos - Friable asbestos material means finely divided asbestos or asbestos-containing material or any asbestos-containing material that can be crumbled, pulverized or powdered by hand pressure. Individual fibers in friable asbestos-containing material can potentially become airborne and can then present a health hazard. Three types of friable material commonly used in buildings are:

sprayed fibrous fireproofing;

decorative or acoustic texture coatings;

thermal insulation.

Non-friable Asbestos - Non-friable asbestos includes a range of products in which asbestos fiber is effectively bound in a solid matrix from which asbestos fiber cannot normally escape. Non-friable asbestos includes a variety of products including asbestos cement tiles and boards and asbestos reinforced vinyl floor tiles. Cutting, braking, sanding, drilling of similar activities can release asbestos fiber from even non-friable asbestos materials.

Asbestos Work Categories -

Category 1

work includes the installation or removal of non-friable asbestos in which the asbestos fiber is locked in a binder such as cement, vinyl or asphalt which holds the material together.

Category 2

work involves work with friable asbestos that is of short duration in situations which create low levels of airborne asbestos. Example of category 2 work are enclosure of friable asbestos, application of tape or sealant to asbestos containing pipe insulation and minor removal of friable asbestos and minor installation, maintenance or repair work above false ceilings where sprayed asbestos fireproofing is present on beams.

Category 3

work involves possible exposure to friable asbestos over long periods of time or work that generates high levels of asbestos. Included in category 3 work are removal projects where relatively large amounts of asbestos are removed from a building including removal of friable asbestos from structural material, cleaning or removal of heating or air handling equipment that has been insulated with asbestos. Also included in category 3 work are cutting or grinding of asbestos-containing materials using power tools.

General Rules

When in doubt, treat all material as containing asbestos and comply with all applicable rules and regulations and protective measures.

All Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) will be handled by certified and licensed asbestos abatement personnel. The friability of the ACM will dictate the type of removal/maintenance required.

Employees who are uncertified and unlicensed will not handle any ACM >1%. This will include encapsulation projects, renovation/removal and/or demolition of any type of structure. This will prevent the potential for accidental exposure from the mishandling of any ACM.

When an uncertified, unlicensed employee questions whether they may be handling suspect ACM, the employee will immediately contact their supervisor.  The employee shall not resume

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