Document 1qLnGRo5Rp3VjXgd801j0Naa

FILE NAME: Asten Hill (AH) DATE: 1972 July 17 DOC#: AH042 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo WALTERBORO July 17, 1972 ASBESTOS STANDARD There is a new standard now in effect regulating handling and disposal of asbestos products; waste, and dust. The standard was effective as of July 7, 1972. It is incorporated as paragraph 1910193 a of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards. The standard sets allowable concentrations of asbestos in terms of fibers per cubic centimeter of air greater than 5 micrometer (.005 millimeters) in length. Fibers shorter than 5 micrometers are not considered. Allowable Concentration A. Until July 1, 1976 the allowable eight hour time weighted average airborne concentration of asbestos fiber to which any employee may be exposed shall not exceed 5 fibers per cubic centimeter of air. B. After July 1, 1976 the allowable eight hour time weighted average shall not exceed 2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air. C. Regardless of the level of average exposure, no employee shall at any time be exposed to a con centration in excess of 10 fibers per cubic centi meter of air. Monitoring Within six months (prior to January 7, 1973) every employer must test every location where asbestos fibers are re leased in such a way as to determine whether every employee's exposure is below the allowable limits. Samples for this purpose are required to be collected from within the breathing zone of the employees. ' After the initial check additional periodic checks are required "of such frequency and pattern as to represent with reasonable accuracy the levels of exposure of employees". Where concentration levels are above allowed limits test frequency shall be at least every six months. <-- l ~ Affected employees or their'representatives shall be given a reasonable opportunity to observe the required monitoring and shall have access to the records thereof. CONFIDENTIAL- Id Re: Bickham. et al. v. Met Life, et al. AC/LA 000799 P LA IN T IF F S EXHIBIT WALTERBORO RE: ASBESTOS STANDARD ~ S ^r ^jie-i3S 3tf5 feG E ^j _i-, July 17, 1972 Page - 2 - Compliance Where concentrations of airborne asbestos exceed allowable limits, steps must be taken to bring the levels into compliance. These methods in order of preference are: 1. Exhaust ventilation and dust collection. System must be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with ANSI Standard Z9.2-1971. 2. Work practices such as wet processing or processing in enclosed areas to prevent the release of airborne fibers. 3. Personal protective equipment - respirators and protective clothing. This approach is discouraged and there are regulations concerning change rooms, laundering, and handling of clothing to be complied with if this approach is used. Caution Signs Caution signs are required at all approaches to areas where concentrations of airborne fibers exceed limits. The size and format of these signs is specified. Product Labels Caution labels are required on all asbestos raw material, scrap, waste, and finished products containing asbestos fibers or on their containers unless the asbestos fibers have been modified by a bonding agent or coating so that during any reasonably fore seeable use or handling no airborne concentration of fibers in excess of allowable limits will -be released. The label shall state: CAUTION Contains-Asbestos Fibers Avoid Creating Dust Breathing Asbestos Dust May Cause Serious Bodily Harm Waste Disposal Any and all asbestos or asbestos containing waste which may produce under any reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, handling, or processing airborne fiber concentrations in excess of exposure limits shall be collected and disposed of in sealed im permeable bags or containers. CONFIDENTIAL- In Re: Sickham, et aL v. Met Life, et al. ,,.w 00080 * U ur' WALTERBORO RE: ASBESTOS STANDARD July 17, 1972 Page - 3 - Recordkeeping Records of required monitoring shall be- maintained for a period of at least three years. Every employee and former em ployee shall have reasonable access to such required records as indicate the employee's own exposure to asbestos fibers. Notification of Exposure Any employee found to have been exposed at any time to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in excess of allowed limits shall be notified in writing of the exposure 'as soon as practicable but not later than five days after the finding. The employee shall also be timely notified of the corrective action being taken. Medical Examinations Employers shall provide or make available, at their cost, medical examinations relative to exposure to asbestos. These examinations are required for each employee exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers. (Note: The level of concentration; i. e. if asbestos is present the examinations are required). The examination shall include as a minimum: a. A chest roentgenogram (posterior-anterior 14 x 17 inches) b. A history to elicit symptomatology of respiratory disease. c. Pulmonary function tests to include.' 1. Forced vital capacity (FVC) 2. Forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV) This examination is required as follows: a. Within 30 calendar days following first employment in an exposed occupation. b. On or before January 31, 1973 and at least annually thereafter while exposure continues. c. Within 30 calendar days before or after termination of employment. Medical Records Complete and accurate records of all such medical examinations shall be maintained and shall be retained by employers for at least 20 years. JEL:bmj CONFIDENTIAL- In Re: Bickham. et al. v. Me; Life, et al. AC/LA 000801