Asbestos fibers associated with these health risks are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Breathing asbestos fibers can cause a buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis and result in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and death.
Asbestos also causes cancer of the lung and other diseases such as mesothelioma of the pleura which is a fatal malignant tumor of the membrane lining the cavity of the lung or stomach. Epidemiologic evidence has increasingly shown that all asbestos fiber types, including the most commonly used form of asbestos, chrysotile, causes mesothelioma in humans.
Worker exposure to asbestos hazards are addressed in specific OSHA standards for the construction industry, general industry and shipyard employment sectors. These standards reduce the risk to workers by requiring that employers provide personal exposure monitoring to assess the risk and hazard awareness training for operations where there is any potential exposure to asbestos. Airborne levels of asbestos are never to exceed legal worker exposure limits.
There is no "safe" level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber. The employer is required to ensure exposure is reduced by using administrative controls and provide for the wearing of personal protective equipment. Medical monitoring of workers is also required when legal limits and exposure times are exceeded.
Providing, using and maintaining appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing. The methods and procedures needed to monitor the concentration of airborne asbestos and the exposure of a worker. The methods needed to decontaminate workers clothes, etc. The removal and clean up of asbestos waste and related material. This document is part of a series of documents on asbestos: Asbestos - What is Small asbestos fibres can be released from asbestos-containing materials into the air when: Disturbing or removing insulation including insulation around hot water pipes and tanks.
Removing or disturbing roofing shingles and felt or siding. Sanding, breaking apart or scraping vinyl asbestos floor tiles. Breaking apart soundproofing ceiling tiles. Sanding or disturbing plaster, including acoustical plaster. Sawing, drilling or smoothing rough edges of materials. Sanding or scraping older surface treatments, such as roofing compounds including tar paper , spackling, sealants, paint, putty, caulking or drywall.
Replacing some car parts such as brakes or transmission clutches. Check with your parts supplier to find out if any replacement parts contain asbestos. Type 1 low risk involves: Installing or removing ceiling tiles covering an area less than 7. Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding or vibrating non-friable ACM if the material is wetted to control the spread of dust or fibres, and the work is done only with non-powered hand-held tools.
Type 2 medium risk involves: Removing all or part of a false ceiling to get access to a work area, if ACM is likely to be lying on the surface of the false ceiling. Enclosing friable ACM. Applying tape, sealant, etc. Installing or removing ceiling tiles that are ACM if the tiles cover an area of greater than or equal to 7. Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding or vibrating non-friable ACM if the material is not wetted to control the spread of dust or fibres, and the work is done only with non-powered hand-held tools.
Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding or vibrating non-friable asbestos-containing material if the work is done with power tools attached to dust-collecting devices equipped with high efficiency particulate air HEPA filters. Removing insulation that is ACM from a pipe, duct, etc. Cleaning or removing filters used in air handling equipment in a building that has sprayed fireproofing that is ACM.
An operation that is not mentioned above but may expose a worker to asbestos and is not classified as a Type 1 or Type 3 operation. The spray application of a sealant to friable ACM. Cleaning or removing air handling equipment, including rigid ducting excluding filters , in a building that has sprayed fireproofing that is ACM.
Repairing, altering or demolishing all or part of a kiln, metallurgical furnace or similar structure that is made in part of refractory materials that are ACMs. Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding or vibrating non-friable ACM, if the work is done with power tools not attached to dust-collecting devices equipped with HEPA filters.
Repairing, altering or demolishing all or part of any building in which asbestos is or was used in the manufacture of products.
In general, anyone working with asbestos must be educated and trained on: The hazards of asbestos exposure. How to identify asbestos-containing material. Personal hygiene and work practices, including the specific work procedures to be followed. The operation of the required engineering controls. The use, cleaning, maintenance and disposal of protective equipment and clothing.
Disposal procedures for asbestos-contaminated materials. The purpose and significance of any required health monitoring. Respirators must be: Properly fitted to the worker. Used and maintained according to written procedures established by the employer and are consistent with the manufacturer's specifications.
Cleaned, disinfected and inspected after use on a regular basis. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.
NIOSH conducts scientific research, develops guidance and authoritative recommendations, disseminates information, and responds to requests for workplace health hazard evaluations. Skip to main content. Related Topics: Asbestos.
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