Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was commonly used in building materials and insulation in the past due to its heat resistance and strength. However, it is known to cause several types of cancer if inhaled, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Workers in occupations like shipbuilding, insulation, and construction face significant risks if they disturb asbestos-containing materials without proper protective equipment and training. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established permissible exposure limits and safety guidelines to protect workers, including requirements for monitoring, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and medical surveillance.

1. Hazards of Asbestos in the Workplace
Do you fear exposure to asbestos? Asbestos is the commercial name of a variety of six naturally
occurring mineral fibers. These minerals have high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and
thermal degradation, and electrical resistance. It has been used for commercial products such as
building materials, insulation, automotive brakes and cement.
Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and microscopic-sized. Contact can pose a health risk to
workers. Know about the hazards of Asbestos and protect yourself, your workers and your business.
Health Hazards
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, it chronic exposure can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Additionally, it can also cause gastrointestinal, throat, kidney, esophagus and gallbladder cancers. It can
also cause Asbestosis, an inflammatory condition that can affect the lungs causing shortness of breath
and permanent lung damage.
Workers may be exposed to asbestos when they disturb asbestos containing products and inhale the
hazardous mineral. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cites that contact may occur
when manufacturing asbestos- containing products, performing brake or clutch repairs and renovating
or demolishing buildings. Some materials installed before 1981 contain asbestos. Vinyl floor tiles, plaster
cement and roofing are some of the examples.
Take note of these factors from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry that can
determine how asbestos can affect a worker:

2.  Exposure concentration
 Exposure duration
 Exposure frequency
 Medical history. Cigarette smoke and asbestos can extensively raise your chances of getting lung
cancer.
Workers at risk.
Asbestos is actually in the water, air and soil. However the low levels cannot make us sick. Constant
exposure and direct handling of materials from job sites can.
The National Cancer Institute information says that health hazards from exposure have been seen in
shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, textile manufacturing and insulation work in
construction. Demolition workers, firefighters and automobile workers may also be exposed.
Be safe and protect workers.
OSHA has regulations for the exposure of asbestos in the general industry, shipyard and construction.
OSHA has set the following guidelines:
 “Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for asbestos is 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air as an eight-
hour time-weighted average (TWA), with an excursion limit (EL) of 1.0 asbestos fibers per cubic

3. centimeter over a 30-minute period. The employer must ensure that no one is exposed above
these limits.”
 Evaluate if asbestos is present in workplaces and if the standard is covered.
 Constant monitoring is key to be able to detect exposure.
 “Proper hazard communication and demarcation with warning signs containing specified
language in areas that have exposures above the PEL or EL is necessary. No smoking, eating, or
drinking should occur in these areas and proper PPE must be provided and used to prevent
exposure.”
 Practice of proper hygiene to workers exposed above the PEL to avoid contamination. Exposed
workers should also have separate decontamination and lunch areas.
 OSHA Safety Training must be provided in a language that the worker understands.
 Medical surveillance must be provided to workers.
 Keep records of asbestos exposure for at least 30 years.
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3507.pdf
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos
Http://www.oshacampus.com
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/asbestos/health_effects/