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1995-04-27
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INFORMATION DATE 19930218
DESCRIPTION USDOL Program Highlights, Protection Against Asbestos
TOPIC Asbestos
SUBJECT Better Protection Against Asbestos in the Workplace
ABSTRACT OSHA has issued revised regulations covering asbestos
exposure in general industry and construction. Both
standards set a maximum exposure limit and include
provisions for engineering controls and respirators,
protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene
facilities and practices, warning signs, labeling,
recordkeeping, and medical exams.
U.S. Department of Labor
Program Highlights
_________________________________________________________________
Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92-06
BETTER PROTECTION AGAINST ASBESTOS IN THE WORKPLACE
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a widely used, mineral-based material that is
resistant to heat and corrosive chemicals. Typically, asbestos
appears as a whitish, fibrous material which may release fibers
that range in texture from coarse to silky; however, airborne
fibers that can cause health damage may be too small to see with
the naked eye.
Who Is Exposed?
An estimated 1.3 million employees in construction and general
industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Heaviest
exposures occur in the construction industry, particularly during
the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition.
Employees are also likely to be exposed during the manufacture of
asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products,
insulation, and other building materials) and during automotive
brake and clutch repair work.
What Are the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure?
Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestosis (scarring of the lungs
resulting in loss of lung function that often progresses to
disability and to death); mesothelioma (cancer affecting the
membranes lining the lungs and abdomen); lung cancer; and cancers
of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum.
What Protections Are Mandatory?
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has
issued revised regulations covering asbestos exposure in general
industry and construction. Both standards set a maximum exposure
limit and include provisions for engineering controls and
respirators, protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene
facilities and practices, warning signs, labeling, recordkeeping,
and medical exams.
Nonasbestiform tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite were
excluded from coverage under the asbestos standard in May 1992.
Here are some of the highlights of the revised rules, published
in the Federal Register June 20, 1986; and on Sept. 14, 1988:
- Permissible Exposure Limit: In both general industry and
construction, workplace exposure must be limited to 0.2 fibers
per cubic centimeter of air (0.2 f/cc), averaged over an
eight-hour work shift. The excursion or short-term limit is one
fiber per cubic centimeter of air (1 f/cc) averaged over a sampling
period of 30 minutes.
- Exposure Monitoring: In general industry, employers must do
initial monitoring for workers who may be exposed above the
"action level" of 0.1 f/cc. Subsequent monitoring must be
conducted at reasonable intervals, in no case longer than six
months for employees exposed above the action level.
In construction, daily monitoring must be continued until
exposure drops below the action level (0.1 f/cc). Daily
monitoring is not required where employees are using supplied-air
respirators operated in the positive pressure mode.
- Methods of Compliance: In both general industry and
construction, employers must control exposures using engineering
controls, to the extent feasible. Where engineering controls are
not feasible to meet the exposure limit, they must be used to
reduce employee exposures to the lowest levels attainable and
must be supplemented by the use of respiratory protection.
- Respirators: In general industry and construction, the level of
exposure determines what type of respirator is required; the
standards specify the respirator to be used.
- Regulated Areas: In general industry and construction,
regulated areas must be established where the 8-hour TWA or
30-minute excursion values for airborne asbestos exceed the
prescribed permissible exposure limits. Only authorized persons
wearing appropriate respirators can enter a regulated area. In
regulated areas, eating, smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco or
gum, and applying cosmetics are prohibited.
Warning signs must be displayed at each regulated area and must
be posted at all approaches to regulated areas.
Labels: Caution labels must be placed on all raw materials,
mixtures, scrap, waste, debris, and other products containing
asbestos fibers.
Recordkeeping: The employer must keep an accurate record of all
measurements taken to monitor employee exposure to asbestos.
This record is to include: the date of measurement, operation
involving exposure, sampling and analytical methods used, and
evidence of their accuracy; number, duration, and results of
samples taken; type of respiratory protective devices worn; name,
social security number, and the results of all employee exposure
measurements. This record must be kept for 30 years.
Protective Clothing: For any employee exposed to airborne
concentrations of asbestos that exceed the PEL, the employer must
provide and require the use of protective clothing such as
coveralls or similar full-body clothing, head coverings, gloves,
and foot covering. Wherever the possibility of eye irritation
exists, face shields, vented goggles, or other appropriate
protective equipment must be provided and worn.
In construction, there are special regulated-area requirements
for asbestos removal, renovation, and demolition operations.
These provisions include a negative pressure area,
decontamination procedures for workers, and a "competent person"
with the authority to identify and control asbestos hazards. The
standard includes an exemption from the negative pressure
enclosure requirements for certain small scale, short duration
operations provided special work practices prescribed in an
appendix to the standard are followed.
Hygiene Facilities and Practices: Clean change rooms must be
furnished by employers for employees who work in areas where
exposure is above the TWA and/or excursion limit. Two lockers or
storage facilities must be furnished and separated to prevent
contamination of the employee's street clothes from protective
work clothing and equipment. Showers must be furnished so that
employees may shower at the end of the work shift. Employees
must enter and exit the regulated area through the
decontamination area.
The equipment room must be supplied with impermeable, labeled
bags and containers for the containment and disposal of
contaminated protective clothing and equipment.
Lunchroom facilities for those employees must have a positive
pressure, filtered air supply and be readily accessible to
employees. Employees must wash their hands and face prior to
eating, drinking or smoking. The employer must ensure that
employees do not enter lunchroom facilities with protective work
clothing or equipment unless surface fibers have been removed
from the clothing or equipment.
Employees may not smoke in work areas where they are
occupationally exposed to asbestos.
Medical Exams: In general industry, exposed employees must have
a preplacement physical examination before being assigned to an
occupation exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos at or
above the action level or the excursion level. The physical
examination must include chest X-ray, medical and work history,
and pulmonary function tests. Subsequent exams must be given
annually and upon termination of employment, though chest X-rays
are required annually only for older workers whose first asbestos
exposure occurred more than 10 years ago.
In construction, examinations must be made available annually for
workers exposed above the action level or excursion limit for 30
or more days per year or who are required to wear negative
pressure respirators; chest X-rays are at the discretion of the
physician.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Copies of the general industry asbestos standard Part II, Health
Standards, Stock Number 869-017-00110-4, $16.00) and the
construction industry standard (Stock Number 869-017-00112-1,
$14.00) are available from the Superintendent of Documents,
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, or
telephone 202-783-3238. These standards are also available on
CD-ROM (Stock Number 729-013-00000-5, $88.00) by subscription for
four updates per year or a single disk for $28.00.
Two pamphlets summarizing the rule are also available: (in single
copies) "Asbestos Standard for General Industry" and "Asbestos
Standard for Construction Industry," and can be obtained by
sending a self-addressed mailing label to the OSHA Publications
Office, Room N-3101, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone
202-219-4667 or from any local OSHA office.
Questions about the standards can be answered by any local OSHA
office or by OSHA regional offices located in Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Denver, San
Francisco, and Seattle.
All local OSHA offices have available for loan slide programs on
the general industry and construction asbestos standards.
Training on asbestos and other safety and health hazards is
conducted at the OSHA Training Institute, 1555 Times Dr., Des
Plaines, IL 60018, telephone 708-297-4810; tuition is charged.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
This is one of a series of fact sheets highlighting U.S. Department
of Labor programs. It is intended as a general description
only and does not carry the force of legal opinion. This information
will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon
request. Voice phone: (202) 219-8151. TDD message referral phone:
1-800-326-2577.