Asbestos Safety Awareness Training by MPSS
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This training covered asbestos safety. It defined asbestos and explained that it is a serious health hazard found in many building materials. The training described the various types of asbestos and where it is typically found. It discussed the health hazards of asbestos exposure, including cancers and lung diseases. The training emphasized that asbestos should not be disturbed without proper protection and training. It provided tips on protecting yourself and outlined OSHA regulations regarding asbestos safety.
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Asbestos Safety Awareness Training by MPSS
- 1. Safety Training Presentations Asbestos Safety Awareness Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
- 2. FY-11 OSHA Susan Harwood Grant Program This material was produced under grant number SH22297-SH1 from OSHA. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
- 3. Objectives: Participants will: • Define what is asbestos • Describe where asbestos is found • Explain associated health hazards • Illustrate how to protect yourself and co-workers against asbestos hazards • Analyze and discuss case studies
- 4. •The word "asbestos" comes from the Greek meaning "inextinguishable." •Asbestos is a serious health hazard commonly found in our environment today. • Employees who may work in buildings that contain asbestos should know where it is found and how to avoid exposure. What is Asbestos?
- 5. Asbestos History • Many people believed asbestos a "miracle" product of the 20th century…. That couldn't be further from the truth. • 1st Century AD Pliny the Elder notes that slaves working in asbestos mines die young of lung disease. • The Greeks recognized that not everything about asbestos was good. • Greek and Roman scientists recognized asbestos caused "sickness of the lungs" in the slaves that wove asbestos into cloth or mined the mineral. • Egyptian mummy’s were wrapped in asbestos containing fabric
- 6. SerpentineSerpentine (93% of commercial use)(93% of commercial use) AmphiboleAmphibole (7% of commercial use)(7% of commercial use) Chrysotile Actinolite, Amosite, Anthophyllite, Crocidolite, Richterite, Tremolite Asbestos Fibrous Minerals
- 7. Six Types of Asbestos Asbestos is composed of six different types of natural minerals: • Chrysotile • Amosite • Crocidolite • Tremolite • Actinolite • Anthophyllite Most common types
- 8. Asbestos Fiber Facts • All types of asbestos tend to break into very tiny fibers. • These individual fibers are so small they must be identified using a microscope. • Some fibers may be up to 700 times smaller than a human hair.
- 9. Asbestos Fiber Facts Because asbestos fibers are so small, once released into the air, they may stay suspended there for hours or even days.
- 10. Asbestos Facts • Asbestos fibers are also virtually indestructible. • Resistant to chemicals and heat, and they are very stable in the environment. • Do not evaporate into air or dissolve in water, and they are not broken down over time. • Asbestos is probably the best insulator known to man.
- 11. Asbestos Facts Usually asbestos is mixed with other materials to actually form the products. Floor tiles, for example, may contain only a small percentage of asbestos. Depending on what the product is, the amount of asbestos in asbestos containing materials (ACM) may vary from 1%-100%.
- 12. Asbestos Exposure 1.3 million workers are exposed in the U.S. – primarily in the construction industry. Asbestos removal and building renovation & demolition have the greatest exposures. Exposure in general industry: - manufacture of asbestos products - automotive brake and clutch repair - Housekeeping and custodial work
- 13. Where is Asbestos Found? • Adhesives, Cements, Mortar, Sealers • Millboard • Brake linings and clutch pads • Let’s talk about vermiculite!
- 14. Vermiculite • A mine near Libby, Montana sold 70% of all vermiculite in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990. • There was a sediment of asbestos at that mine, so the vermiculite from Libby was contaminated with asbestos. • Libby vermiculite was used in the majority of vermiculite insulation in the U.S. as the brand name “Zonolite”
- 15. Libby Montana DVD You should assume that: VERMICULITE CONTAINS ASBESTOS AND DO NOT DISTURB IT! http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/verm.html
- 16. Always Assume Vermiculite Contains Asbestos • Leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed in your attic or in your walls. • Do not store items in your attic if it contains vermiculite insulation. • Do not attempt to remove the insulation yourself. • Hire a licensed asbestos contractor remove or encapsulate asbestos
- 17. More Asbestos Loaded Products??? • Cement Pipes, Cement Boards, Sheets, Plastics • Clay, Compounds, Paints, Plasters • Electrical, Mechanical Products • Home Use Products • Cigarette Filters • Pipe Covering • Protective clothing
- 19. Asbestos Occupations Just to name a few: • Plumbers • Demolition • Construction / remodeling • Roofers • Mechanics • First Responders http://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-exposure/occ
- 20. Health Affects of Asbestos Exposure • Asbestos exposure is the only confirmed cause of mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that typically manifests in the lungs • Lung Cancer • Asbestosis
- 21. Signs and Symptoms of asbestosis can include: • Shortness of breath is the primary symptom • A persistent and productive cough (a cough that expels mucus) • Chest tightness • Chest pain • Loss of appetite • A dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling.
- 22. Cigarette Smoke and Asbestos • Cigarette smoke and asbestos together will increase your chances of getting lung cancer. • If you have been exposed to asbestos you should stop smoking. • This may be the most important action that you can take to improve your health and decrease your risk of cancer.
- 23. How to Protect Yourself • Must have a valid and up to date certificate through an authorized trainer from the State of Florida as an Asbestos Worker, Supervisor, Contractor or Inspector. • Asbestos is dangerous…..sufficient education is needed to recognize dangers and protect yourself • You and the company could be fined if caught working on a building that may contain asbestos • Today’s training is an awareness course…DOES NOT meet Florida law
- 24. How to Avoid Asbestos Exposure • If you do not know that a building material is asbestos free…….DOT DISTURB IT. Never Drill Break Hammer Damage Cut Move Saw Disturb
- 25. How to Avoid Asbestos Exposure • Personnel should understand how to protect themselves • In the event that asbestos fibers become airborne and may be inhaled • Wear a mask to prevent inhalation of asbestos fibers • Safety gear such as gloves or booties that cover your shoes should be worn, to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers to other areas
- 26. Good Housekeeping Rules • Custodians should never sand or dry buff asbestos containing floor tiles • Broken and fallen ceiling tiles should be left in place until identified • Broken and damaged asbestos floor tiles must also be removed by asbestos abatement workers • Be aware of where asbestos may be hiding and takes actions not to disturb
- 27. Asbestos Emergency Kit • Gloves • Protective eyewear • Disposable clothing • Booties • Garbage bags • Water bottle • Important Telephone numbers
- 28. OSHA Asbestos Standards • General Industry (29 CFR 1910)1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances 1910.1001, Asbestos: • http:// www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards& • Safety and Health for Construction (29 CFR 1910) 1926.1101 Asbestos: • http:// www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=10862&p_table
- 29. Asbestos: Are You at Risk DVD
- 30. OSHA Resources • OSHA has many helpful programs, including assistance about safety and health programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary protection programs, strategic partnerships, training and education, and more
- 31. OSHA’S Asbestos Advisor • Interactive compliance tool • Can install on your computer • The program includes five main functions: 1. General guidance 2. Individual project guidance 3. Glossary 4. Answers to frequently asked questions about asbestos 5. Detailed text of regulations http:// www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/asbestos/index.html
- 32. • More information about asbestos is available on the OSHA Asbestos Web page, which has links to information about asbestos in the workplace, including what OSHA standards apply, the hazards of asbestos, evaluating asbestos exposure, and controls used to protect workers. • This page is available at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/index.html. • OSHA’s national office can be contacted at: Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor Room N–3649 200 Constitution Avenue, NW. Washington, DC 20210 • Telephone: 202–693–1999 1–800–321–6742 (1–800–321–OSHA) TTY (for deaf or hard of hearing callers): 1–877–889–5627 • Web site: •http://www.osha.gov/workers.html (workers’ page)
- 33. OSHA Contact Numbers To report Unsafe Working Conditions, Safety and Health Violations Contact OSHA @: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) / TTY1-877-889-5627 To File a Complaint Form: To file an OSHA-7 report online, see how to file a complaint with OSHA (www.osha.gov) For more information regarding your rights, see Worker Rights
- 34. Summary • We talked about the definition of asbestos and where asbestos is found. • Describe where asbestos is found • Explain associated health hazards • Recap on protection measures for yourself and co-workers against asbestos hazards • Review the laws associated with asbestos
- 35. References OSHA Asbestos Web Page. Retrieved from: • http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/index.html Environmental Health and Safety online: • http://www.ehso.com/Asbestos/asbestreg.php Environmental Protection Agency. Libby Site Background. Retrieved from: • http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/libby/background.html U-W Madison. General Safety, Asbestos. Retrieved from: • http://www2.fpm.wisc.edu/safety/gsp/Asbestos.htm Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Retrieved from: • http://www.mesothelioma.com/
Editor's Notes
- Electricity is essential to modern life, both at home and on the job. Some employees engineers, electricians, electronic technicians, and power line workers, among them work with electricity directly. Others, such as office workers and sales people, work with it indirectly. Perhaps because it has become such a familiar part of our daily life, many of us don’t give much thought to how much our work depends on a reliable source of electricity. More importantly, we tend to overlook the hazards electricity poses and fail to treat it with the respect it deserves.
- Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.
- Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, individuals have used it for centuries, quickly recognizing its insulating and heat-resistant properties and using them to their advantage. 1918 The Prudential Insurance Company in New York refuses to sell personal life insurance to asbestos workers . 1929 Leeds Coroner calls for public enquiry after death of Turner and Newall employee. Barking Council sends deputation to Whitehall about an asbestos factory based within its borough. 1930 Merewether and Price, medical and engineering inspectors of factories, place before Parliament a report confirming the epidemic of asbestos disease among British asbestos workers. 1931 The Asbestos Industry Regulations established. These set a "safe" level that allowed one worker in three to get asbestosis after 15-19 years exposure. 1932 Turner writes to Newall complaining of the dust exposure rules saying, "We must take a small risk by stretching the regulations to suit our own ends". 1955 Richard Doll publishes evidence that asbestos causes lung cancer, 20 years after the first reports of high levels of lung cancer in asbestos workers. Doll's paper convinces the scientists. 1960 Professor Chris Wagner produces evidence of the link between asbestos and mesothelioma among South African miners and people living near the mines. 1960 The UK adopts the American "safe" standard of 1938 based on a biased sample in North Carolina. This level allows exposures 15 times the 1969 levels. Up to 1960 63 papers on the hazards of asbestos had been published in the US, the UK and Canada. The 52 independent papers showed asbestos to be a dangerous source of asbestosis and lung cancer; they were largely ignored. The 11 sponsored by industry presented virtually the opposite conclusions. 1968 The British Occupational Hygiene Society offers a safety standard for white asbestos 0.2 fibres/ml. The asbestos industry conducted a single survey at Turner and Newall's Rochdale plant and came up with this level which was incorporated into the 1969 Asbestos Regulations. Later work suggests that 1 in 10 workers would contract asbestos related disease at this level. 1970 The 1969 Asbestos Regulations were introduced. 1976 The Ombudsman, Sir Alan Marre, revealed the horrors of the massacre at Hebden Bridge. 12% of employees had crippling asbestos diseases. The Government launched an enquiry, the Advisory Committee on Asbestos. 1982 Yorkshire TV's documentary Alice - a fight for Life was first shown. Richard Peto, then Reader in Cancer Studies, University of Oxford, predicts a total of about 50,000 asbestos-induced deaths in the UK in the next 30 years or so. Nancy Tait and David Gee say this is a gross underestimate but are dismissed for being unscientific. 1983 The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations are enacted. These came into force on the 1 August 1984. They cover the most hazardous jobs such as asbestos stripping or removal. 1985 The Asbestos (Prohibition) Regulations were introduced and later amended in 1992. They prohibit the import, supply and use of amphibole asbestos, principally blue and brown, products containing them and the spraying of asbestos and installation of asbestos insulation. Blue and brown asbestos are about 5% of the total in use. 1987 The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations are introduced and later amended in 1992. 1995 The HSE sharply revises upwards its estimates of asbestos-related deaths in the period 1995-2025 and starts an awareness campaign amongst maintenance workers.
- The term "asbestos" refers to six fibrous minerals that have been commercially exploited and occur naturally in the environment. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has named more than 100 mineral fibers as "asbestos-like" fibers, yet only six are recognized regulated by the U.S. government. This is largely due to influential lobbying by the asbestos and stone industries, which powerfully shaped how the public perceives asbestiform minerals. The six minerals recognized by the government include, tremolite asbestos, actinolite asbestos, anthophyllite asbestos, chrysotile asbestos, amosite asbestos, and crocidolite asbestos. Each of these minerals is categorized into two groups, serpentine and amphibole. Chrysotile asbestos is the only member of the serpentine group and the others belong to the amphibole group. The difference between these two groups is characterized by the physical components of the asbestos fibers. The serpentine group is made up of minerals that have a layered form and curly fibers and the latter group contains minerals that have straight fibers with a chain-like structure.
- Of these six, three are used more commonly. Chrysotile is the most common, but it is not unusual to encounter Amosite, or Crocidolite as well. In many instances a single product will have a mixture of different asbestos types. All types of asbestos can break into very tiny fibers. These individual fibers can be broken down so small that they can only be identified using an electron microscope. Some individual fibers may be up to 700 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Because asbestos fibers are so small, once released into the air, they may stay suspended there for hours or even days. Asbestos fibers are also virtually indestructible. They are resistant to chemicals and heat, and they are very stable in the environment. They do not evaporate into air or dissolve in water, and they are not broken down over time. Asbestos is probably the best insulator known to man. Because asbestos has so many useful properties, it has been used in over 3,000 different products. Usually asbestos is mixed with other materials to form the products. Floor tiles, for example, may contain only a small percentage of asbestos. Depending on what the product is, the amount of asbestos in asbestos containing materials (ACM) may vary from less than 1% to 100%.
- Because asbestos has so many useful properties, it has been used in over 3,000 different products.
- "An estimated 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure in their jobs. 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 and clutch repair work."--Occupational Safety & Health Administration, osha.gov
- Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral composed of shiny flakes, resembling mica. When heated to a high temperature, flakes of vermiculite expand as much as 8-30 times their original size. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, and odorless material and has been used in numerous products, including insulation for attics and walls. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long. A mine near Libby, Montana, was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine, so the vermiculite from Libby was contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite from Libby was used in the majority of vermiculite insulation in the U.S. and was often sold under the brand name Zonolite. If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this material may be contaminated with asbestos and be aware of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from exposure to asbestos. This Web page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana. Why should I be concerned about asbestos-contaminated vermiculite insulation? A mine near Libby, Montana was the source of over 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990. There was also a deposit of asbestos at that mine, so the vermiculite from Libby was contaminated with asbestos. Vermiculite from Libby was used in the majority of vermiculite insulation in the U.S. and was often sold under the brand name Zonolite. If you have vermiculite insulation in your home, you should assume this material may be contaminated with asbestos and be aware of steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from exposure to asbestos. What is vermiculite? Vermiculite is a naturally-occurring mineral composed of shiny flakes, resembling mica. When heated to a high temperature, flakes of vermiculite expand as much as 8-30 times their original size. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, and odorless material and has been used in numerous products, including insulation for attics and walls. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long.
- If you come across vermiculite insulation, you should assume this material may be contaminated with asbestos and be aware of steps you can take to protect yourself, co-workers and residents from exposure to asbestos.
- Libby History Gold miners discovered vermiculite in Libby in 1881; in the 1920s the Zonolite Company formed and began mining the vermiculite. In 1963, W.R. Grace bought the Zonolite mining operations. The mine closed in 1990. While in operation, the Libby mine may have produced 80 percent of the world's supply of vermiculite. Vermiculite has been used in building insulation and as a soil conditioner. Unfortunately, the vermiculite from the Libby mine was contaminated with a toxic form of naturally-occurring asbestos called tremolite-actinolite asbestiform mineral fibers.
- YOU SHOULD AND DO NOT DISTURB IT! Any disturbance could potentially release asbestos fibers into the air. If you absolutely have to go in your attic and it contains vermiculite insulation, you should limit the number of trips you make and shorten the length of those trips in order to help limit your potential exposure. We recommend that you: Leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed in your attic or in your walls. Do not store boxes or other items in your attic if it contains vermiculite insulation. Do not allow children to play in an attic with vermiculite insulation. Do not attempt to remove the insulation yourself. Hire a professional asbestos contractor if you plan to remodel or conduct renovations that would disturb the vermiculite in your attic or walls to make sure the material is safely handled and/or removed.
- Most cigarette filters were made of absorbent cotton, cellulose acetate fibers and crepe paper, but in 1951, the Lorillard Tobacco Company introduced a revolutionary product, said to contain a secret filtering material that could trap particles as small as one micron. The secret material—now known to be asbestos—had previously been used by the United States Army during World War II to provide filtration in gas masks and atomic energy plants. Lorillard's new product, named "Micronite," was widely used in the company's Kent cigarettes from 1951 until 1956. In fact, from 1952 to 1956, an estimated 13 billion Kent Micronite filtered cigarettes were sold in the U.S. The new cigarette filters were touted as "the greatest health protection in cigarette history" in advertisements claiming that Micronite was a "pure, dust-free, completely harmless material," perfect for smokers who were unusually sensitive to tars and nicotine. However, medical experts have since identified the "completely harmless" secret ingredient used in Kent Micronite cigarettes as crocidolite asbestos (also called "African blue" asbestos), a known carcinogen which some experts believe is the most hazardous of the six types of asbestos. Kent Micronite filters contained as much as 30 percent crocidolite asbestos, which when inhaled, can lodge in the lungs and lead to the development of lung inflammation, lung cancer, asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma. Researchers estimate that people who smoked one pack per day of Kent Micronite filtered cigarettes would have inhaled 131 million crocidolite asbestos fibers each year.
- This picture is borrowed from asbestos.com.
- Instructor: After discussing the occupations listed on the slide, then click into the click and show just how many workers have been and could still be exposed by asbestos. First responders, police and other safety professionals should take note of the ways that firefighters protect themselves from asbestos exposure. Wear protective gear at all times when in an area where asbestos inhalation might occur. Before leaving the location, remove all clothing, other gear, shoes, etc. and either wash them or seal them in an airtight container to prevent transfer of friable asbestos to another location (people can be exposed to asbestos in a secondhand fashion – say, a child who inhales asbestos that was transferred home on their parent’s work coat). Like firefighters, it is important that first responders monitor their respiratory health to not only keep an eye on their mesothelioma cancer risk, but their risk of developing other illnesses as well.
- Asbestos Facts When asbestos fibers are inhaled, most fibers are expelled, but some can become lodged in the lungs and remain there throughout life. Fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation. Enough scarring and inflammation can affect breathing, leading to disease. The term “naturally occurring asbestos” refers to the mineral as a natural component of soils or rocks as opposed to asbestos in commercial products, mining or processing operations. Naturally occurring asbestos can be released from rocks or soils by routine human activities, such as construction, or natural weathering processes. If naturally occurring asbestos is not disturbed and fibers are not released into the air, then it is not a health risk. People are more likely to experience asbestos-related disorders when they are exposed to high concentrations of asbestos, are exposed for longer periods of time, and/or are exposed more often. Inhaling longer, more durable asbestos fibers (such as tremolite and other amphiboles) contributes to the severity of asbestos-related disorders. Exposure to asbestos can increase the likelihood of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and non-malignant lung conditions such as asbestosis (restricted use of the lungs due to retained asbestos fibers) and changes in the pleura (lining of the chest cavity, outside the lung). Changes in pleura such as thickening, plaques, calcification, and fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) may be early signs of asbestos exposure. These changes can affect breathing more than previously thought. Pleural effusion can be an early warning sign for mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs). Most cases of asbestosis or lung cancer in workers occurred 15 years or more after the person was first exposed to asbestos. Most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after the first exposure to asbestos. Asbestos-related disease has been diagnosed in asbestos workers, family members, and residents who live close to asbestos mines or processing plants. Health effects from asbestos exposure may continue to progress even after exposure is stopped. Smoking or cigarette smoke, together with exposure to asbestos, greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer. See Cigarette Smoking, Asbestos Exposure, and your Health.
- In order to avoid being exposed to asbestos, you must be aware of the locations it is likely to be found. If you do not know whether something is asbestos or not, assume that it is until it is verified otherwise. Remember that you cannot tell if floor or ceiling tiles contain asbestos just by looking at them.
- It is imperative that all people, especially first responders and safety personnel, understand how to protect themselves in the event that asbestos fibers become airborne and may be inhaled. The best way to avoid asbestos inhalation is to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. In addition, other safety gear such as gloves or booties that cover your shoes should be worn, to prevent the transmission of asbestos fibers from one location to another. If possible, first responders may want to cover the nose and mouth of injured people at the site of a disaster or emergency to prevent them from inhaling asbestos fibers.
- Housekeepers and custodians should never sand or dry buff asbestos containing floor tiles, and only wet stripping methods may be used during stripping operations. Low abrasion pads should be used at speeds below 300 rpm. Broken and fallen ceiling tiles should be left in place until identified. Only after they have been identified as asbestos free may they be removed. Asbestos tiles will be removed by asbestos abatement workers. Broken and damaged asbestos floor tiles must also be removed by asbestos abatement workers. By knowing where asbestos is likely to be located and then taking measures not to disturb it, you will protect yourself and others from exposure to this hazardous substance.
- The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance recommends keeping an ‘Asbestos Emergency Kit’ on hand if you are a first responder or happen to live in an area where natural disasters (like hurricanes or earthquakes) are prevalent and asbestos exposure is therefore likely. You should keep the following items in your kit: Gloves Protective eyewear Disposable clothing Booties Garbage bags (if you must remove and dispose of asbestos materials before a certified asbestos abatement technician is available, first wet all asbestos materials and then place them carefully in garbage bags. Seal the bags and mark them clearly so that people know the bags contain asbestos) Water bottles (to wet asbestos materials before moving them) Important telephone numbers of local asbestos abatement technicians and asbestos disposal locations (asbestos must be disposed of safely under the law in a designated asbestos landfill)
- Asbestos hazards are addressed in specific standards for the general industry and shipyard employment. This section highlights OSHA standards, preambles to final rules (background to final rules), Federal Registers (rules, proposed rules, and notices), directives (instructions for compliance officers), standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to asbestos.
- The Asbestos Advisor is an interactive compliance assistance tool. Once installed on your PC, it can interview you about buildings and worksites, and the kinds of tasks workers perform there. It will produce guidance on how the Asbestos standard may apply to those buildings and that work. Its guidance depends on your answers. It can provide general guidance and may, also, be focused on a particular project. It provides pop-up definitions through "hypertext". Version 2.0 reflects updates for revisions, corrections and clarifications of the rule published by OSHA in Federal Register September 29, 1995 and August 23, 1996. The program is not intended to replace or amend the official text of the regulation, as published in 29 CFR 1910.1001 (general industry), 1915.1001 (shipbuilding), and 1926.1101 (construction). The Asbestos Advisor computer program is intended to provide an introduction to the scope and logic of the regulation and summary guidance to facilitate compliance. Effort has been made to insure the accuracy of information provided by the program, but the guidance provided by the program should not be relied upon as being comprehensive or binding on the government. The Asbestos Advisor's option listed as "Provide detailed text of regulations" allows the user to view and print the full regulation texts associated with selected topics. Users are encouraged to subsequently read the full text of the OSHA Asbestos Standards (29 CFR 1910, 1915, and 1926), and to seek appropriate legal counsel. OSHA gratefully acknowledges the valuable assistance and comments provided by numerous private individuals and industry, labor and public interest organizations during the development of this program. The program includes five main functions: General guidance Individual project guidance Glossary Answers to frequently asked questions about asbestos Detailed text of regulations This program was developed and is distributed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, under the direction of Carol Jones, Wanda Bissell, and Edward Stern. Jack Powasnik and Edith Nash of the Office of the Solicitor of Labor, provided valuable assistance and comments. System analysis and programming services were provided by CONSAD Research Corporation and DynCorp I&ET Inc., under the direction of Ronald Bird, with the assistance of Alan Bernstein, Sigrid Cleland and Michael Shefler. The program was developed in conjunction with the EXSYS expert systems development tool and the distribution version of the program uses the EXSYS Runtime program core. EXSYS is a trademark of EXSYS Corporation, Albuquerque, N.M., and use of its products is governed by a license granted by EXSYS to the U.S. Department of Labor.
- OSHA is here to assist you in preventing injuries by providing training and assistance to ALL individuals. For more in formation please contact OSHA.