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Blasting (Abrasives/Sand) >>

Asbestos

The word asbestos refers to six naturally occurring, fibrous, hydrated mineral silicates that differ in chemical composition. They are actinolite, ammonite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite. (Nonfibrous forms of the last three minerals listed here are regulated by GISO 5208.1.) You may encounter asbestos at a construction site in the following applications and areas:

• Excavations where asbestos-bearing rock outcroppings are at or near the surface
  
• Fireproofing for steel-frame high-rise buildings
  
• Pipe and boiler insulation
  
• Insulators of electrical conductors Plaster, cement, drywall, and taping compounds
  
• Floor tile and tile adhesives
  
• Acoustical ceilings (tiles and sprayed on)
  
• Asbestos cement piping, shingles, and panels
  
• Roofing felt and sealing compounds
  

Because asbestos exposure has been linked to serious illnesses, Fed/OSHA and Cal/OSHA have implemented strict regulations to minimize exposures to work site and “take-home” asbestos. Below find a summary of regulatory requirements:

A. Construction projects are subject to regulation under 1529 if they involve one or more of the following activities, regardless of the percentage of asbestos present:

1. Demolition or salvage of structures where asbestos is present
   
2. Removal or encapsulation (including painting) of materials that contain asbestos
   
3. Construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, or renovation of structures, substrates, or portions thereof that contain asbestos
   
4. Installation of products that contain asbestos.
   
5. Erection of new and the improvement, alteration, and conversion of existing electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment
   
6. Excavation that may involve exposure to naturally occurring asbestos, excluding asbestos mining and milling activities
   
7. Routine facility maintenance
   
8. Transportation, disposal, storage, and containment of and site housekeeping activities involving asbestos or materials containing asbestos
   
9. Asbestos spills and emergency cleanups
   

Regulatory requirements for work activities subject to 1529 vary depending on the percent, the amount, or the type of
asbestos-containing materials involved. Listed below are selected requirements and the activities to which they apply:

B. Cal/OSHA administrative requirements are as follows:

1. Registration and district notification, if disturbing 100 sq. ft. or more of manufactured construction materials containing more than 1/10 of 1% of asbestos-containing construction material (ACCM). 341.6(a)
   
2. Carcinogen notification, with exposures in excess of permissible exposure limits (PELs)
   

Exception: Carcinogen notification is not required of employers registered with DOSH per 341.6, 5203, 1529(e)


3. DOSH certification, if the person performs duties of an asbestos consultant or technician that involve 100 sq. ft. or more of ACCM. 341.15(a)
   

C. Training is required for all employees engaged in Class I through IV work and all work in which they are likely to be exposed in excess of the PELs. The training must be provided:

1. At the employer’s expense
   
2. Before or at the time of initial assignment
   
3. Annually after initial training
   
4. In accordance with 1529(k)(9)
   

D. Permissible exposure limits: The employer must ensure that employee exposures do not exceed the following PELs:

1. Eight-hour time-weighted average of 0.1 fibers/cc
   
2. Thirty-minute excursion limit of 1 f/cc. 1529(c)
   

E. Multi-employer work sites are regulated under 1529:

1. The general contractor on the project must exercise general supervisory authority. 1529(d)
   
2. An employer doing work involving asbestos must notify other employers at the site. 1529(d)
   
3. All employers on site must ensure that their own employees are not exposed to asbestos fibers because of a breach in containment or control methods used by the creating employer. 1529(d)
   

F. Exposure assessments and monitoring are required as follows:

1. Initial exposure assessment must be made by all employers subject to 1529 before or at the onset of the project. 1529(f)(2)
   
2. Daily exposure monitoring of employees must be conducted by all employers disturbing materials that contain more than 1% asbestos in Class I and II work. 1529(f)(3)
   
3. Periodic exposure monitoring of employees must be conducted when disturbing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in operations involving other than Class I and II work during which the PELs might be exceeded. 1529(f)(3)

Exception: Periodic exposure monitoring is not required if a negative exposure assessment has been made within the past 12 months. 1529(f)

April 2007 Update (added) Employee Notification of Monitoring Results. 1529(f)(5), Notification: Employer shall notify affected employees as soon as, but not later than 5 working days after receiving monitoring results. Notification shall be done in writing to the affected employee or by posting where it is accessible. http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1529.html

H. Respirator protection requirements are specific to asbestos-related activities and exposures as outlined in 1529(h):

1. The employer must provide respirators.
   
2. The appropriate respirator must be selected from Table 1 of 1529. 1529(h)
   
3. A written respiratory protection program must be implemented in accordance with 5144(c). 1529(h)(2)
   

I. Methods of compliance and work practices are noted below:

1. The wet method must be used unless the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible. 1529(g)(1)
   
2. Vacuum cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters must be used to clean up ACM and presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM). 1529(g)(1)
   
3. Prompt cleanup and disposal in leak-tight containers are required except as specified in 1529(g)(8)(B). 1529(g)(1)
   
4. Specific work practices for different activities are also outlined in 1529. 1529(g)(4-11)
   

J. Prohibited work practices and controls are as follows:

1. Spraying of any substance containing any amount of asbestos (see exception) 1528
   
2. High-speed abrasive disc saw cutting of ACM or PACM without appropriate local exhaust or point-of-cut ventilation. 1529(g)(3)
   
3. Using compressed air to remove asbestos or materials containing asbestos. 1529(g)(3)
   
4. Dry sweeping, shoveling, or other dry cleaning of dust or ACM or PACM debris. 1529(g)(3)
   
5. Rotating employees as a means of reducing exposure to asbestos. 1529(g)(3)