2. CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 - ASBESTOS AND ITS HEALTH EFFECTS CHAPTER 2 - TRANSPORTATION, DISPOSAL, AND WORKER PROTECTION REGULATIONS CHAPTER 3 - DOCUMENTATION AND NOTIFICATION CHAPTER 4 - PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT CHAPTER 5 - HAULING FRIABLE ASBESTOS WASTE CHAPTER 6 - PROPER WORK PRACTICES FOR LANDFILL DISPOSAL CHAPTER 7 - VEHICLE AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE CHAPTER 8 - SPILL RESPONSE FOR FRIABLE ASBESTOS DEFINITIONS APPENDICES
3.
4. Physical Characteristics of Asbestos Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral. Even though it is a mineral, it breaks apart into fibers. It was often mixed with binders or other materials when used in construction. For example, some breaks and clutches contain asbestos in a binder. Asbestos is sometimes released during the braking operation and may be present inside the brake mechanism. Asbestos had thousands of other uses in construction and industry. It is not possible to tell just by looking at a material weather it contains asbestos. Tests must be performed to determine the asbestos content. In the absence of test results, certain materials are presumed to contain asbestos (PACM). PACM includes thermal system insulation, sprayed and troweled on surfacing materials, and asphalt and vinyl flooring materials, found in buildings built prior to 1981.
5. Friable and nonfriable Asbestos Asbestos can be friable or nonfriable You can easily crush friable asbestos with hand pressure. Friable materials release small fibers as they crumble. Nonfriable materials normally release fibers only if cut, broken, damaged, or worked with power tools. It is the released fibers that have the potential to cause disease.
6.
7.
8.
9. SMOKING INCREASES THE RISK Cigarette smokers who are exposed to asbestos have a greatly increased risk of developing lung cancer compared to those who do not smoke. The harmful effects of smoking and asbestos exposure combine. The risk of lung cancer for a cigarette smoker not exposed to asbestos is nearly eleven times that of a nonsmoker; the risk of lung cancer for a cigarette smoker exposed to asbestos is over fifty-three times greater than that of a nonsmoker. Quitting cigarette smoking dramatically reduces the excess lung cancer risk. Information on the effects of smoking appears in the Appendices. TIME IS A FACTOR Asbestos-related diseases develop slowly. They may take twenty years or more to show up. Mesothelioma may take forty years or more to develop.
10.
11.
12.
13. OSHA Standards OSHA has two standards to regulate asbestos materials. The OSHA standard for controlling exposure to asbestos fibers in the construction industry is 29 CFR 1926.1101. Regulations for the disposal, storage, demolition, repair, installation, containment and emergency cleanup of asbestos is provided in that section. A similar OSHA standard for industries involved in the manufacture and use of asbestos, including brake and clutch repair, and housekeeping in buildings with ACM or PACM is 29 CFR 1910.1001. Medical monitoring, employee training, exposure monitoring assessments, respiratory and personal protection, record keeping, regulated work areas, engineering controls and work practices, hygiene, hazard communication, and housekeeping are key safety elements of these standards.
14. Air Monitoring The OSHA standards establish a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Employers must ensure that no employee is exposed to more than 0.1 fibers of asbestos per cubic centimeter of air (0.1 f/cc) over the course of a shift. A personal monitoring device measures fiber levels. Short- Term Excursion Limit OSHA also has a short-term exposure limit (STEL) for airborne asbestos. The STEL is also called an excursion limit . It limits exposure to one fiber per cubic centimeter in a thirty-minute period. If the air sampled in an area contains asbestos at levels higher than the PEL or the excursion limit in a typical eight hour work day, then (1) workers must wear respiratory protection, (2) receive annual medical exams and training, (3) the area must be periodically monitored, and (4) special work practices and engineering controls must be followed. PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVEL EXCURSION LIMIT 0.1 f / cc over 8 hours 1.0 f / cc over 30 min.
15.
16. Medical Monitoring OSHA requires employers to offer an annual medical exam to workers who are exposed above the PEL or excursion limit or who wear respirators at work. The exam includes a medical and work history and a comprehensive exam. A test evaluates the employee’s lung function. The exam determines weather an employee is physically able to tolerate wearing a respirator. It also determines whether any health problems may be aggravated by asbestos exposure. The written opinion issued by the physician should address only asbestos related issues. Employees receive a copy of the results of their medical exam. These results will determine whether an employee can perform the assigned work and whether any limitations exist on wearing respirators or other protective equipment.
17.
18. CHAPTER THREE DOCUMENTATION AND NOTIFICATION WMI Policy on Management of Asbestos Waste The accounts of customers generating asbestos waste are managed through the WMI Special Waste Program (ED-111 and Special Waste Guidance) typically as a Type B special waste stream. WMI’s policy for management of asbestos waste complies with federal regulations as described in this chapter. Check with your Group Environmental Manager for applicable state, provincial, and local regulations. The policy also provides for worker safety and protection of the environment. WMI’s policy outlines responsibilities for haulers ( Chapter 5) , landfill workers ( Chapter 6), maintenance employees (Chapter 7). It also clarifies responsibilities for notification and cleanup of spills (Chapter 8).
19.
20.
21. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Asbestos fibers are not harmful unless you ingest or inhale them. A respirator provides a barrier to airborne fibers in order to protect your mouth and lungs. Protective clothing prevents the spread of asbestos contamination. You must wear respirators and protective clothing whenever you handle or disturb asbestos-containing materials in ways that can release fibers. Respiratory Protection You must receive a physical exam to be sure you are physically capable of wearing a respirator. Your respirator must fit properly in order for it to protect you. You must undergo regular fit tests to be sure a leakproof seal is formed between the respirator’s facepiece and your skin. You must also receive annual training in the use and maintenance of the respirator. CHAPTER FOUR
22.
23. Types of Respirators There are many types of respirators. The selected respirator must protect you from the potential exposure of your assigned task. A half-mask, negative pressure, air-purifying respirator equipped with high-efficiency (HEPA) filters is the minimum protection required for asbestos exposure. This respirator is acceptable for most hauling and disposal tasks at WMI where you may encounter low levels of airborne asbestos fibers. You may need full-facepiece respirators with an air supply source for higher exposures, such as the cleanup of large spills or friable asbestos. Over 0.1 f / cc per 8 hours REQUIRES
24.
25.
26.
27. Selection and Use of Protective Clothing Wear protective clothing whenever you handle or disturb asbestos-containing materials in ways that could release fibers. Protective clothing consists of disposable coveralls or similar whole body clothing, hood or hair bonnet, gloves, foot covering, and face shields, vented goggles, or other suitable eye protection. You must also wear the appropriate respirator. When worn properly, protective clothing will prevent your work uniform, hair, hands, and feet from becoming contaminated and spreading contamination to other locations.
28. HAULING FRIABLE ASBESTOS WASTE Requirements for WMI Haulers Before transporting RACM, use the current version of the Special Waste Guidance Document to identify the requirements that apply to asbestos. These are company requirements. Hauling divisions must also comply with federal, state, provincial, and local regulations when transporting asbestos waste. Before transporting RACM, WMI hauling divisions must receive written approval from the Group Vice-President of Environmental Management. CHAPTER FIVE
29.
30.
31.
32.
33. Cleaning Containers If there is evidence of asbestos in a container after a load is dumped, clean the container with water. Wear protective clothing and a respirator while cleaning. Use a mist spray to wet surfaces. High pressure water can carry asbestos into the air. Manage your cleaning water as required by local regulations. Note: Under federal regulations, you cannot let liquids enter an active landfill, so you cannot wash waste containers at the landfill.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39. VEHICLE AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE Vehicle Maintenance You may encounter asbestos-containing material during inspection, disassembly, repair, and assembly of brakes and clutches, and replacement of vehicle gaskets. Manufacturers must certify that new WMI vehicles have asbestos-free brake and clutch linings. Aftermarket suppliers should also verify that they provide asbestos-free products. Verification may not exist for certain vehicles or parts, such as acquisition vehicles. If this is the case, assume that break, clutch pads and gaskets contain asbestos and handle them accordingly. CHAPTER SEVEN
40.
41.
42. SPILL RESPONSE FOR FRIABLE ASBESTOS Spill Reporting Procedure If a spill of friable asbestos above the reportable quantity (one pound or more) occurs, report the spill to the company dispatcher . The dispatcher must notify the appropriate company personnel for notification of the National Response Center (NRC). Spills A spill of friable asbestos must also be reported to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC),& the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) if more than one pound of asbestos is released into the environment. CHAPTER EIGHT
43.
44.
45.
46. SUMMARY Federal, state, & local regulations, & WMI policies direct the transportation & disposal of friable asbestos. Asbestos transport & disposal is carefully regulated because excessive exposure to asbestos fibers is hazardous to your health. Using proper work practices when hauling & disposing of friable materials, wearing correctly fitted respirators and protective clothing, & knowing how to respond in an emergency lowers the risk of exposure to friable asbestos waste. All people involved in hauling, landfilling, & those who perform certain vehicle maintenance & building housekeeping activities must know about the dangers of asbestos. To do this, proper signs & markings must always be in place, & all required paperwork must be completed. If you follow these procedures, you will minimize or eliminate your exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers will not be released into the air if you handle asbestos correctly. You will also do your part to protect yourself & the environment we live in.
