ASBESTOSAFETYMONTHLY TAILGATEOF SAFETY

INFORMATION

ISSUE

272A

OSHA TrainingRequirements

Construction Industry1910.1001(j)(7)

General Industry1926.1101(k)(9)

Shipyard Industry1915.1001(k)(9)(i)

OSHA UmbrellaTraining Compliance

Section 5(a)(1) of theOccupational Safety andHealth Act (OSHA) of 1970:

“Employers are required toprovide their employees witha place of employment thatis free from recognizablehazards that are causing orlikely to cause death orserious harm to employees.”

OSHA AsbestosStandards

Construction Industry29 CFR 1926 Subpart Z29 CFR 1926.1101

General Industry29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z29 CFR 1910.1001

Shipyard Industry29 CFR 1915 Subpart Z29 CFR 1915.1001

Currently there are 25 statesthat develop and operate their own safety and healthprograms in the workplaceso be sure to check if yourstate applies.

IntroductionThe term asbestos describes six naturally occurring fibrous minerals found in certain types ofrock formations. Asbestos became a popular commercial product because it is strong, won'tburn, resists corrosion, and insulates well. Intact and undisturbed, asbestos materials do notpose a health risk; however, asbestos materials can become hazardous when, due to damage,disturbance, or deterioration over time, they release fibers into the air. If inhaled, these fiberscan cause diseases which disrupt the normal functioning of the lungs.

Employer ResponsibilitiesOSHA regulations state that, “The employer shall institute a training program for all employeeswho are exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos at or above the PEL and/or excursionlimit and ensure their protection in the program. Training shall be provided prior to or at thetime of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter. The training program shall beconducted in a manner which the employee is able to understand.”

OSHA's asbestos standard for general industry at 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(7)(iv) requiresemployers to provide an asbestos awareness training course for employees who performhousekeeping operations in areas where an asbestos-containing material (ACM) or presumedasbestos-containing material (PACM) is present. The elements of the course must include thehealth effects of asbestos; locations, signs of damage and deterioration of ACM and PACM;the proper response to fiber release episodes; and the standard's requirements related tohousekeeping. This training must be held annually and conducted so that all employeesunderstand it.

Competent Person“Competent Person” requirements — On all construction sites with asbestos operations,employers must name a “competent person,” qualified and authorized to ensure worker safetyand health. The competent person must attend a comprehensive training course certified by theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a state-approved training provider or a coursethat is equivalent in length and content. Under these requirements for safety and healthprevention programs, the competent person must inspect Class I job sites at least once duringeach work shift and upon employee request. The competent person must inspect Class II andClass III job sites often enough to assess changing conditions and upon employee request.

Page 1IntroductionEmployer ResponsibilitiesCompetent Person

Page 2HazardsRegulated AreaPosting RequirementsPPEDisposal & Cleanup

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In this issue

HazardsAsbestos workers have increased chances of getting two principal types of cancer: cancer of the lungtissue itself and mesothelioma, a cancer of the thin membrane that surrounds the lung and otherinternal organs. These diseases do not develop immediately, but appear only after a number of years.

Regulated AreaA regulated area is a marked site where employees work with asbestos. It includes any adjoiningarea(s) where debris and waste from asbestos work accumulates or where airborne concentrationsof asbestos exceed or can exceed the PEL. All Class I, II, and III asbestos work must be done withinregulated areas. Employers must mark the regulated area in any manner that minimizes the numberof persons within the area and protects persons outside the area from exposure to airborne asbestos.

Posting RequirementsPosted warning signs marking the regulated area must be easy to read.An employer performing work in a regulated area must inform otheremployers on site of the the nature of the work being done, regulatedarea requirements, and measures taken to protect on-site employees.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Respirators: All personnel are required to wear an approved respirator when performing tasks thatresult in asbestos exposure that exceeds the permissible exposure limit (PEL). Use a specific respiratordesigned specifically for working with asbestos. Wear a half-face filter respirator fitted with a classP1 or P2 filter cartridge, or a class P1 or P2 disposable respirator appropriate for asbestos.Disposable respirators or dust masks are not permitted for asbestos work. Keep your respirator onuntil all work and clean up is done and your contaminated clothing is removed, bagged and sealed.Disposable Protective Clothing: Required in work areas where asbestos fiber concentrationsexceed the permissible exposure limit (PEL).

Disposal Procedures and CleanupWastes that are generated by processes where asbestos is present include empty asbestos shippingcontainers; process wastes such as cuttings, trimmings, or reject materials; housekeeping waste fromwet-sweeping or HEPA-vacuuming; asbestos fireproofing, insulating material, or other buildingproducts removed during building renovation or demolition; and contaminated protective clothing.

ConclusionAsbestos is a respiratory hazard when proper safety measures are not implemented. All personnelmust be trained and safety requirements must be adhered to. The OSHA regulations on asbestos areextensive and cannot possibly be comprehensively covered in this tailgate. If one works in demolitionand renovation where asbestos is encountered on a regular basis, it is prudent to follow the OSHAregulations as they will help you maintain safe asbestos handling operations.

ehs International, Inc. 855-2-EHSINC [855-234-7462] 2

Pop Quiz

How often are yourequired to be trained if you are exposed or potentially exposed toAsbestos-ContainingMaterial (ACM)?

a. Every yearb. Every 3 yearsc. Only initiallyd. Never

Resources

Visit us on the web

ehsInternational.orgAbatix.com

OSHA - OccupationalSafety and HealthAdministrationwww.osha.gov

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