ASBESTOS AWARENESS TRAINING
Title 8, GISO Section 5208
What is Asbestos?
Generic term for group of minerals known for their strength, flame/heat resistance, & indestructible qualities. “Miracle mineral” Serpentine, state rock, fiber Hazardous when inhaled Symptoms have chronic effect
Where is Asbestos Found?
Sprayed on fire proofing Insulation in buildings Insulation on pipes & boilers
Wall & ceiling insulation Ceiling & floor tiles
Where is Asbestos Found?
Putties, caulks, & cements
Roofing shingles
Siding shingles on old residential buildings Wall & ceiling texture in older buildings & homes Brake linings and clutch pads
Recognizing Damaged or Deteriorated ACM
Water damage Continual vibration Aging Physical impact such as drilling, grinding, buffing, cutting, sawing, or striking
Cal-OSHA Limits
The Permissible Exposure Limit, or PEL, is 0.1 fiber/cc based on an eight hour time-weighted average.
You cannot determine the amount of asbestos in the air or a material by looking at it. Asbestos fibers can only be detected by a microscope.
What does “friable” mean?
Friable means that a material can be easily reduced to a powder by hand pressure.
sprayed-on insulation is friable asbestos floor tiles are not friable
Friable materials can become airborne if damaged and either inhaled or ingested.
Asbestosis
Serious, chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease Lung tissue scarring
Symptoms - shortness of breath, dry crackling lung sounds Can be fatal
Lung Cancer
Causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. Symptoms - coughing, change in breathing, shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia. Risk can be 90 times higher if you smoke and have asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma
Rare form of cancer which affects the membrane lining of the lungs, chest & abdomen. 200 cases diagnosed/year in the U.S. Almost all cases are linked to asbestos.
Para-occupational Exposure
People who live:
with asbestos workers near asbestos mining areas near asbestos product factories, or near shipyards
where large quantities of asbestos fibers were released into the air, may be at risk of asbestos related diseases.
Determining Factors
Amount and duration of exposure may correlate directly with asbestos related illnesses. Smoking & programs/support
Student Health Center National Cancer Institute (1-800-4-CANCER) American Heart Association (1-800-242-8721) American Lung Association (1-800-586-4872)
Age The younger a person (child) is, the more likely he/she may develop mesothelioma.
How to Avoid Exposure
Be aware of locations Assume positive until verified otherwise Never take a sample unless trained
DO NOT DISTURB IT: NEVER drill, hammer, cut, saw, break, damage, move, dry sweep, use compressed air, disturb any ACM or suspected materials
Housekeeping
Facility Workers:
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.
Leave broken and damaged ceiling/floor tiles until positively identified. If they contain asbestos, they must be removed by trained asbestos abatement workers.
Spills
Report any damaged ACM to ____________________ immediately Do not attempt to clean up spills yourself Disturb material as little as possible
Take measures to prevent others from disturbing the spill