Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Program

1. Asbestos Operations
and Maintenance
Program
Do not disturb
asbestos-containing
materials that are in
good condition.
Asbestos in good
condition is not a
hazard and can be
managed in house.
What to do if you discover or suspect
asbestos during your work?
Always report any suspect of Asbestos Con-
taining Materials during your work activities
to the Environmental Division,
call 787-354-1861 / 787-707-3575
The Fort Buchanan Environmental Compliance relies on the Best Manage-
ment Practices (BMP’s) established thru the various environmental plans and
it’s Sustainability & Environmental Management System (SEMS), established
to implement reduction of waste streams by pollution prevention efforts,
recycling of materials, energy and resources conservation and by engaging
our community to cooperate with initiatives and strategies
by achieving the objectives and goals for our most significant environmental
Fort Buchanan Environmental Compliance Program
The US Army
has recognized
that a healthy,
functioning
community relies
on a healthy
environment.
Executive Order 13990
Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring
Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis
The EO 13990 directs Federal agencies to immediately review, and take
action to address, Federal regulations promulgated and other actions taken
during the last 4 years that conflict with national objectives to improve
public health and the environment; ensure access to clean air and water;
limit exposure to dangerous chemicals and pesticides; hold polluters
accountable, including those who disproportionately harm communities of
color and low-income communities; reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
bolster resilience to the impacts of climate change; restore and expand our
national treasures and monuments; and prioritize both environmental
justice and employment.
2022APR_ASBESTO_Brochure
The Directorate of Public Works Environmental
Division’s goal is to fully establish Army Strategy for the
Environment (Army Sustainability) and achieving
optimum environmental controls in order to ensure
healthier and safer environmental management
standards that strengthen and sustains the US Army
Garrison Fort Buchanan’s mission.
Fort Buchanan
Directorate of Public Works
Environmental Division
U . S . AR M Y GA R RIS O N
F O R T B UC HA NA N
DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC WORKS
ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION
FORT BUCHANAN, PR 00934
Fort Buchanan SEMS Policy
The US Army Garrison Fort Buchanan will implement
programs that will ensure that land, air and water
resources are always available for Soldier readiness. Fort
Buchanan Sustainability Programs will prioritize in
delivering resilient energy and water provisions to
reduce cost and waste, increasing waste diversion and
recycling solutions. Therefore, that will enable Fort
Buchanan to carry out and support its critical missions
expending the least possible amount of natural
resources and relying as little as possible in off-post
sources for water, energy, and waste disposal.
For additional information, visit the Directorate of Public Works
Environmental Division at Fort Buchanan Internet Site;
http://www.buchanan.army.mil/dpw/home.html
https://army.deps.mil/army/cmds/imcom_usag10/Buchanan/DPW/Pages
/Fort-Buchanan-Environmental-Division.aspx
or access;
http://www.slideshare.net/FortBuchananEnvironment
If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact
DPW Environmental Division at (787) 707-3572/ 3522.

2. HEALTH EFFECTS:
Despite the beneficial uses of asbestos, exposure to AC-
BMS that release fibers into the air can produce adverse
health effects. The potential of an asbestos-containing
product to release fibers is dependent upon several
factors, including its location and its degree of fria-
bility. Friable means that when dry, it can be crumbled
with hand pressure and therefore is likely to emit fibers
when disturbed.
In general, the more one is exposed to asbestos, the
greater the chance of developing any of three major
harmful health issues:
• Lung cancer: Lung cancer is when growth of abnor-
mal cells in the lungs is uncontrolled. The risk of devel-
oping lung cancer is higher for people who smoke and
are exposed to asbestos.
• Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer
found in the thin lining of the lung, chest, abdomen,
and heart.
• Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a serious progressive, long-
term, non-cancer disease of the lungs.
HOW CAN PEOPLE BE EXPOSED TO
ASBESTOS?
If asbestos-containing material is disturbed during use,
demolition work, building or home maintenance,
repair, or remodeling, asbestos fibers may be released
into the air. Because they are too small to be seen with
the naked eye, these fibers can easily be inhaled or in-
gested and get trapped in the body.
Fort Buchanan DPW Environmental Division
develop an Asbestos Operation and Maintenance
(O&M) Plan to establish a set of policies, procedures,
and work practices intended to minimize occupant
exposure to asbestos-containing building materials
(ACBM).
Asbestos O&M Program Requirements:
 Occupant notification
 Surveillance
 Controls
 Work Practices
 Recordkeeping
 Worker protection
 Training (yearly)
O&M Division Chief
The Chief of the Operations d Maintenance Division:
 Receives Job Request Form for Maintenance Work
 Confirms with the APM that requested work will
not impact or disturb ACBM
 Completes the Maintenance Work Authorization
Form
 Maintains a supply of personnel protective
equipment (PPE) for Fort Buchanan personnel
Any activity that could disturb ACBM
must be approved by the Fort Buchanan
Asbestos Program Manager (APM).
Disturbance of ACBM will be conducted
in accordance with the Administrative
Procedures and Work Practices
contained herein or by independent
licensed asbestos abatement contractors working pur-
suant to contract agreements.
To have a copy of this Asbestos Operation and
Maintenance (O&M) Plan and additional Compli-
ance Procedures can be requested thru the Environ-
mental Compliance Manager at (787) 707-
3572/3575.
For additional information, visit the Directorate of Public
Works Environmental Division at Fort Buchanan Internet
Site; http://www.buchanan.army.mil/dpw/home.html
https://army.deps.mil/army/cmds/imcom_usag10/Buch
anan/DPW/Pages/Fort-Buchanan-Environmental-
WHAT IS ASBESTOS? HEALTH EFFECTS FROM
EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR ASBESTOS-CONTAINING BUILDING MATERIALS (ACBMS)
ASBESTOS is a naturally
occurring mineral, made up of
fine and durable fibers which are
resistant to water, heat and fire,
corrosion, and many chemicals.
Because of its fiber strength and heat resistance,
asbestos has been used in a variety of building
construction materials.
Although several different
types of asbestos exist, nearly
95 percent of all asbestos used
in commercial products to-
day is a type of asbestos called
chrysotile (White Asbestos).
It is one of the casual forms of
asbestos having application in
developing building materials
for roofing, ceilings, walls,
and flooring needs of proper-
ties. In some cases, this type
of asbestos may have application in the automobile
industry for developing brakes, boiler sealers, pipes,
ducts, and so on.
In the 1970s, the US Environmental
Protection Agency began banning the
manufacture of products containing as-
bestos because of growing concerns over
health effects.
Overview of Applicable Federal and State Regula-
tions:
The specific regulations addressing asbestos consist of:
 Asbestos containing materials in schools (40 CFR
763)
 Asbestos Schools Hazard Abatement Reauthorization
Act (ASHARA)
 National emission standards for asbestos (40 CFR 61,
Subpart M)
 Construction standards for asbestos (29 CFR
1926.1101)
 General industry standards for asbestos (29 CFR
1910.1001)
 Atmospheric Emissions Regulations, Section 422
(Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (PREQB)
 Solid Waste Regulations (PREQB)
WHERE CAN I FIND ASBESTOS?
Because of its fiber strength and heat resistance, asbes-
tos has been used in a variety of building construction
materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. Asbestos
has also been used in a wide range of manufactured
goods, mostly in building materials (roofing shingles,
ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, and asbestos ce-
ment products), friction products (automobile clutch,
brake, and transmission parts), heat-resistant fabrics,
packaging, gaskets, and coatings (USEPA).
Department of Energy and Environment
Washington, DC