Document 1gVQ1YXQ7BbGjrDVjVEB2qe0Z

SXG INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE BULLETIN No. 122 May 21, 1984 ASBESTOS DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL In the early 1970's Reynolds Metals Conpany instituted a program to remove all non-essential asbestos-containing products from its manufac turing facilities. In addition, additional work practices and engineering controls were inplemented to control employee exposure to asbestos fibers where substitutes were not available. Our present policy mandates that all asbestos-containing products, which have feasible substitutes, will be elim inated from our facilities. Where there are no feasible substitutes, appro priate engineering controls and work practices will continue to prevent exposure to asbestos. More recently, the Medical Department and Central Engineering have conpleted an audit of our operating locations in an effort to identify all materials suspected of containing asbestos. The results of the audit indicate that the greatest remaining potential for asbestos expo sure is the removal of in-place asbestos insulation. A bulletin was previously issued requesting that the Industrial Hygiene Department be contacted prior to the removal of materials contain ing asbestos. After review, the conclusion was readied that it would be helpful to issue more specific policies and guidelines concerning the demolition or removal of asbestos-containing materials. Both health and environmental considerations are involved. Three key points to remember are: (1) It is the policy of Reynolds Metals Conpany to protect "the he'alth and safety of its enployees and conpl^,,with^ll environmental regulations relating to tne handling and disposal of asbestos-containing (2) Rtogiever TJL is necessary to remove any asbestoscpntaining mfcerials, the Industrial Hygiene Depart ment fri Rlcntond should be contacted for health and safety ^idance. Upon receiving, the initial con tact, the Industrial Hygiene Department will notify the Environmental Control Department and any other departments which should be involved in planning or implementing the project. (3) These policies apply whether the removal is to be performed by Conpany enployees or by independent R-100-99 002886 TX TIMER RMCOO86225 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE BULLETIN ASBESTOS DEMOLITION AND REMC Page Two 22 L May 21, 1984 contractors. In particular, no contract, agreement or purchase order is to be made for such work with out prior consultation with the Industrial Hygiene Department and the Environmental Control Department. Attached to this bulletin are the Asbestos Demolition and Removal Guidelines. These provide background information and a general outline of considerations typically involved in asbestos demolition or removal opera tions. Please review these Guidelines carefully. You will also find it useful to again review the Guidelines prior to contacting the Industrial Hygiene Department about a specific project. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact the Industrial Hygiene Department in Richmond UD3773 Distribution: EH-1 list Div. Plant Engineers Environmental Personnel Homer M. Cole Director of Industrial Hygiene 002887 TX TIMER RMC0086226 REYNOLDS METALS COMPANY ASBESTOS DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL GUIDELINES Asbestos is a general term applied to a family of silicate minerals that have a number of properties in common that render them useful for several commercial purposes. These minerals are fibrous in structure and have electrical and thermal insulating properties as well as being sufficiently flexible that they can be woven into fabrics. The mineral fibers that comprise the asbestos group are the serpentines, chrysotile, and the amphiboles: actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and tremolite. Exposure to excessive asbestos is known to lead to asbestosis characterized primarily by pulmonary fibrosis, the formation of pleural plaques, a greatly increased risk of bronchogenic carci noma, pleural mesothelioma, and peritoneal mesothelioma after occupational exposure to inhaled asbestos dust. Due to the heat resistant properties of asbestos, it has received widespread usage in the aluminum industry. It has been used extensively in casthouse operations--in particular, molten metal transfer. In addition, it has also been extensively used as bulk thermal insulation for such items as piping, boilers, ovens and paste mixers. In order to protect the heal.th and safety of Reynolds Metals Company employees and comply with all environmental regulations relating to the handling and disposal of asbestos-containing products, the following procedures are mandatory: General 1. Identify any material suspected of containing asbestos. The Medical Department/Central Engineering audit for your facility should be useful for this determination. 2. For materials not identified in our Medical Department/ Central Engineering audit, a bulk sample should be forwarded to the Industrial Hygiene Department in a plastic container for identification and guidance. 3. For asbestos-containing materials, the Industrial Hygiene Department should be contacted for a determination concerning potential exposure. 4. Where a potential exposure exists, appropriate work practices and/or personal protective equipment shall be employed to prevent employee exposure. 002888 TX TIMER RMC0086227 5. Personnel assigned to work where there is potential for asbestos exposure shall be trained regarding the potential hazard and the use of personal protective equipment. 6. Asbestos-containing materials require special handling and disposal procedures. The Environmental Control Department must review and approve in advance all disposal arrangements. Personal Protective Equipment 1. Individuals having a potential exposure to asbestos shall be supplied with a respirator approved for asbestos by NIOSH. For larger projects, a decontamination area should be established to allow the workers a place to don and remove the personal protective equipment. 2. Personal protective equipment may also include necessary overalls, gloves, and shoe covers. Work Practices 1. No asbestos-containing material (such as Marinite, Merimet, Transite, etc.) shall be cut, drilled, or machined by Reynolds Metals Company personnel. 2. Any prefabricated asbestos-containing parts or materials shall be vacuumed and sealed in plastic bags prior to shipment to Reynolds Metals Company. 3. Prior to beginning removal or demolition of any asbestos material, caution signs shall be placed around the work area, at a distance safely away from any dust which may be created. For large projects (i.e., furnaces, ovens, boilers, etc.), the imme diate work area shall be enclosed and a decontamination area established. 4. All asbestos insulation material shall be kept thoroughly wet, while handling and/or removing the material. 5. No blowing or dry-sweeping, scraping, or sanding of asbestos material or surfaces covered with asbestos-containing material shall be permitted. 6. All scrap asbestos material, as well as the disposable personal protective equipment, shall be placed and sealed in a labeled plastic bag and disposed of as directed by the Environ mental Control Department. 7. Work areas shall be kept free from accumulation of any asbestos. 002889 TX TIMER RMC0086228 Monitoring Measurements of airborne asbestos fibers, during the handling and/or removal of asbestos material, shall be conducted by, or under the direction of, the Corporate Industrial Hygiene Depart ment. Based on the results of the monitoring study, the Corpo rate Industrial Hygiene Department will make any necessary recom mendations concerning additional monitoring, employee notification and training, and any changes in personal protective equipment. Medical Examinations Personnel assigned to work involving exposure to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers must be included in a medical surveillance program. This will be coordinated through your local medical facility. Employee Notification Any employee found to be exposed to asbestos fiber in excess of the federal standard must be notified in writing of his exposure within five working days. The employee must also be notified in writing of what efforts are being taken to control such exposure levels. If there are any questions regarding the application of this procedure to your local facility, please contact the Industrial Hygiene Department in Richmond. UD3775 3- 002890 TXTINER RMC0086228