Document 3NNrda24VeNJn7g4q6VQRR35E

nTimmai AS33ST0S Two thousand years ago when__the first use of asbestos was recorded, it was a sacred object, a curiosity of kings and nobles, a magic mineral. The Greeks, who used asbestos for the wicks of their temple lamps were enthralled when flames did not consume it, but burned unceasingly. Amazed, they called it ssbesta, which meant the "unquenchable," the "inextinguishable." I. What is it? Asbestos is a term which refers to a group of more than 30 mineral substances, all of which are silicates and which share the common property of having a fibrous structure. Their formation in nature requires a common geological principle of the right host rock, basic structural features ana ideal con ditions of temperature -and pressure. Only six are of economic significance and the most important CKRYSOTILE accounts for most of the world's production as shown below. # of world production Chrysotile (white) Crocidolite (blue) Amosite (brown) Anthophyllite Tremolite Actinolite 93 .eg 3-5# 2.4# ) ) l.lg ) t These six fibers possess different properties of flexibility, length, texture, tensile strength, acid resistance, spinnability and resistance to heat which render them more or less suitable for various uses. Asbestos has been termed the 20th century mineral since the world consumption has increased over a thousand fold since 1900. By far the greatest increase has occurred since World War II. The present world production exceeds 3 million tons annually. 6113 19204 Page Two Asbestos C C II. What is the hazard? A. Qualitively 1. Pneumoconiosis - Asbestos Fibrosis of the lungs and changes in the pleura may follow the inhalation of fibers of any of the common forms of asbestos. The length of fiber most likely to cause fibrosis has not been as specifically identi fied as has the silica particle in.silicosis. The fibers found in the lungs may vary from submicron size to those of fifty or more microns in length. It is thought by many investigators that fibers of five to fifteen microns in length are the ones most likely to cause lung fibrosis. The exposure time in those who develop asbestosis is often shorter than that for silicosis, usually being 7-20 years. The essential lesion in the lungs is a non-noaular fibrosis which is diffusely distributed. It is of such a nature as to render the lung less elastic (as in silicosis) and in addition, it forms a barrier which interferes with the vital exchange of O2 and CO2 in the lung. This combination of defects produces a severe breathlessness and renders the workman quite disabled. Tuberculosis is not found to be a complication of asbestosis as it is with silicosis. The reaction of the lung to asbestos fiber is to coat the fiber with an iron containing protein capsule. The resultant structure is called an "asbestos body". These may be found in the lung tissue or expectorated in the sputum. They are of no diagnostic significance except to prove the presence of fibrous material in the lung. 2. Pleural Plaques In some persons exposed to asbestos, thickening of the lining of the pleura which is the inside of the chest cavity is observed. Occasionally these areas of reaction are the site of deposition of calcium. When this occurs, the lesion is termed a pleural plaque. The significance of these .plaques is not yet fully understood. These plaques almost never contain asbestos fibers; they do not necessarily mean that asbestosis exists in the lung and they do not 6113 19206 6113 O ' O'! 'ee estos c signify disability. c 3. Cancer'Of the Lung in Persons with Asbsstosis The first official recognition of the existence of a possible relationship between lung cancer and asbestos was contained in the 19^-7 annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for Great Britain (Dr. E. R. A. Merewether) published in 1949. Since that time, statis tical studies by Richard Doll have proven an association between the two conditions and have demonstrated an in creased incidence of lung cancer in persons with asbestosis. Similar reports from other countries give support to the British studies. To date, there is in sufficient statistical evidence available to indicate whether this is true of all types of fiber or whether it is associated with all uses of asbestos. Further intensive studies are currently underway in many countri including Canada. 4. Mesothelioma of Pleura or Peritoneum after CROCIDOLITE Exposure In 1956 it .was firsts suspected in Kimberley, South Africa, that there might be an association between exposure to the Cape Blue fibers and this rare tumor of the lining tissues of the chest and abdomen. By 1962, one hundred and twenty-one cases had been dis covered of whom 110 occurred in persons either working or living in the area where crocidolite is mined. A similar study in London, England revealed that 51 of 83 persons who died with this tumor were in some way associated with an asbestos factory in which crocidolite was handled. * Whether or not these tumors are due to the fiber itself is not clear. There appears to be an association but further research will be needed before the matter can be clearly understood. To date, there has been no significant data which would indicate on association between either chrysotile or amosite and mesothelioma. Intensive studies concerning a possible association are presently in progress in Canada, the U.S.A., Great Britain and several other countries. B. Quanitatively In the last few years, asbestos has been recognized as one of the most hazardous of air contaminants in the Page Five Asbestos C C III. How it is Used. Occupational exposures occur in the cement-asbestos industry in which shingles and siding, water and.sewer pipes and insu lation boards are produced; in the insulation trace; in the manufacture of brake linings; the weaving of asbestos cloth, fiber and cord; the manufacture of numerous types of filters; the insulation of electric wire and cable; the manufacture of certain paints; the making of floor tile and gaskets; the production of moulded*plastic products and in the spraying of structural steel framework for acoustical purposes and the spraying of insulation on turbines in plants where elec tricity is produced. In addition, since this substance is so extremely useful, numerous lesser uses exist. Workers in many occupations encounter serious asbestos expo sures. Among the establishments most likely to have asbestos risks are those manufacturing asbestos textiles, valve pack ings, asbestos sheets, brake linings, boiler blankets, building materials and appliance cords. Plasterers who spray an asbestos mix on the steel foundations of buildings have heavy exposures to asbestos. A thermal insulation and fireproofing agent, the asbestos mix prevents the steel from buckling in case of fire. Plasterers can apply it without interrupting construction activities, and the asbes tos mixture hardens in eight hours without cracking or shrinking. Wot only steel buildings, but ships and boats are treated in this manner. Brake mechanics must also cope with significant levels of air borne asbestos. Valuable because of its resistance to heat and its ability to withstand abrasive force, chrysotile asbes tos makes up 50 percent of brake lining material. However, the friction breaks asbestos fibers away from the fabric. Many mechanics remove the asbestos fibers that have accumulated around the brake drums and assemblies with a compressed air hose. This produces a cloud of asbestos dust around the mechanic and anyone in his working area. Alternate cleaning methods are needed; for example, a vacuum cleaning device reduced the hazard in recent tests in England. Insulation workers are the largest single occupational group to-handle asbestos on the job. Their exposures, however, are relatively light. In most types of insulation, asbestos is used primarily as a binding agent and makes up only 15 percent of the material. Then, too, insulators working with asbestos on a daily basis are encouraged to take precautions: good housekeeping measures, tools equipped with local ventilation 6113 19209 r> : g 0 Si-X As non tor. C C systems, and respirators for dusty work are .safety precau tions stressed by their union. When insulation workers t J- "l1 i rioteriaus containm/ percentage of asbestos, they o:ten use a water spray on tne cloth while unrolling it or uncovering it. Sorts insulation workers even cut asbestos on disposable tarpaulins in ores to allow the excess material to be discarded without stirr tip dust. This eliminates the need to sweet up insulation debris after a job. Usually a dusty process, sweeping is discouraged because it holds a rish for the workers still on the construction site. U ri Bricklayers, carpenters, sheet metal workers and boiler makers also install insulation at various times, but often they fail to take th&'precautions used by workers who handle asbestos on a daily basis. IV. The Permissible Levels of Exposure A, Presently CC>.'CS,\'7RATIC.N - Fibers/mil! Vi iter greater than 5 microns In lengtn | Exoosure Time S hours \ 15 minutes per hour up to 5 hours in an 8 hour day Without i Respiratory j Protection j Up to 5 | i Up to 10 | i *i 213 Approved Respirator Up to 25 Up to 50 B. July 7,1576 - CSHA Kenuirements ! ""y?G _ | j Ccn * ni-ic-UG / jcv: ! hirl/ins Sssrriratori ! Greater than 250 ! > t i >i | Greater than 250 ! 1f On this date, the Time Weighted Average (T.W.A.) for an o hour exposure will be 2 fibers per miill-: :r of greater than 5 **`.ic r o'.' n. Tr.e cei_ir. con- centration is retained at 10 fibers per rniilii: of air greater than 5 microns in length with no time restriction, provided the E.w.A. is not violated. Compliance with future exposure limits prescribed by the previous paragraph may not be achieved by the use of respirators or shift rotation of employees except 6113 i qo i n Page Seven Asbestos C ( during the time period necessary to install the engineering controls and to institute the work practices required to comply with the! 2 fiber standard. V. What must be done and when to meet OSKA regulations A. Clothing and Change Rooms The employer shaT.1 provide and require the use of special clothing, such as coveralls or similar whole body clothing, head coverings, gloves and foot coverings for any employee exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers which exceed the ceiling level prescribed in paragraph IV-3. At any fixed place of employment exposed to airborne con centrations of asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph IV-B, the employer shall provide change rooms for employees working regularly at the place. 11 The employer shall provide two separate lockers or con tainers for each employee, so separated or isolated as to prevent contamination of the employee's street clothes from his work clothes. Laundering of asbestos contaminated clothing shall be done so as to prevent the release of airborne asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph IV-3. Any employer who gives asbestos-contaminated clothing to another person for laundering shall inform such person of the requirement to effectively prevent the release of airborne asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph IV-B. Contaminated clothing shall be transported in sealed impermeable bags or other closed, impermeable containers and labeled in accordance with warning paragraph. (See section VH-2b) B'. Control Procedures' Engineering controls, such as, but not limited to, isolation, enclosure, exhaust ventilation and dust collection, shall.be used to meet the exposure limits 6113 19211 Page Sight Asbestos c prescribed in paragraph IV-B. Local exhaust ventilation and dust collection systems shall be designed, constructed, installed and main tained in accordance with the American National Standard Fundamentals Governing the Design and Operation of Local Exhaust Systems, ANSI 29.2-1971. All hand-operated and power-operated tools which may produce or release asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in psrsgraphIV-3, such as, but not limited to. saws scorers, abrasive wheels and drills shall be provided with local exhaust ventilation systems in accordance with ANSI 9.2-1971 Insofar as practicable, asbestos shall be handled, mixed, applied, removed, cut, scored or otherwise worked in a wet state sufficient to prevent the emission of airborne fibers in excess of the expo sure limits prescribed in paragraphlV-B unless the usefulness of the product would be diminished there by. No asbestos cement, mortar, coating, grout, piaster or similar material containing asbestos shall be removed from bags, cartons or other containers in which they are shipped, without being either wetted, or enclosed, or ventilated so as to prevent effectively the release of airborne asbestos fibers in excess of the limits prescribed in paragraph IV-B of. this section. Employees engaged in the spraying of asbestos, the removal or demolition of pipes, structures, or equip ment covered or insulated with asbestos and in the removal or demolition of asbestos insulation or coverings shall be provided with respiratory equipment in accordance with paragraph IV-B of this section and with special clothing in accordance with paragraph V-A. In work situations where the methods prescribed to gain engineering control are either technically not feasible or feasible to an extent insufficient to reduce the airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers below the limits prescribed by paragraph IV-B or in emergencies respirators may be used. 6113 19212 Page Nine Asbestos c ( Where both respirators and personnel rotation are allowed by this subparagraph and both are practicable, personnel rotation shall be preferred and used. Where a respirator is permitted by this paragraph, it shall be selected from among those approved by the Bureau of Mines, Department of the Interior or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Education and Welfare. A reusable or single use air purifying respirator or a respirator shall be used to reduce the concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers in the respirator below the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (B) of this section, when the ceiling, or the 8-hour time-weighted average airborne^ concentrations of asbestos fibers are reasonably expected to exceed no more than 10 times those limits. A full facepiece powered air purifying respirator, or a powered air purifying respirator 'shall be used to reduce the concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers in the respirator below the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (B) of thissection, when the ceiling or the 8 hour time-weighted average concentrations of asbestos fibers are reasonably expected to exceed 10 times, but not 100 times, those limits. A type "C" continuous flow or pressure-demand, suppiiedsir respirator shall be used to reduce the concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers in the respirator below the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph (3) of this section, when the ceiling or the 8-hour time-weighted average air borne concentrations of asbestos fibers are reasonably expected to exceed 100 times those limits. C. Medical Requirements 1. General The employer shall provide or make available at his cost, medical examinations relative to exposure to asbestos required by this paragraph. 2. Preplacement The employer shall provide or make available to each of his employees, within 30 daysfollowing 6113 imn 6113 19214 Cf v-u g BTSpfll Can os c his first employment in an occupation exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers, a com prehensive medical examination which shall include, as a minimum, a chest roentgenogram (posterioranterior 14 x 1? inches), a history to elicit symptomatology of respiratory disease and pulmonary function tests to include forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV). 3. Annual Examinations On or before January 1973? 2nd at least annually thereafter, every employer shall provide, or make available, comprehensive.medical examinations to each of his employees engaged in occupations exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers. Such annual examination shall include, as a minimum, a chest roentgenogram (posterior-anterior l4 x 17 inches), a-history to elicit symptomatology of respiratory disease, and pulmonary function tests to include forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV). 4. Work Assignment No employee shall be assigned to tasks requiring the use of respirators if, based upon his most recent examination,~an examining physician determines that the employee will be unable to function normally wearing a respirator, or that the safety or health of the employee or other employees will be impaired by his use of a respirator. Such employee shall be rotated to another job or given the opportunity to transfer to a different position whose duties he is able to perform with the same employer, in the sane geographical area and with the sameseniority, status and rate of pay he had just prior to such transfer, if such a different position is available. 5. Examination on Termination The employer shall provide, or make available within 30 calendar days before or after the termination of employment of any employee engaged in an occupation exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers, a comprehensive medical examination which shall in clude, as s minimum, a chest roentgenogram (posterioranterior 14 x 17 inches), a history to elicit sympto matology of respiratory disease and pulmonary function 6113 cH W leven os C C tests to include forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV). 6. Recent Examinations No medical examination is required of any employee, if adequate records show that the employes has been examined in accordance with this paragraph within the past 1-year period. 7. Records Employers of employees examined pursuant to this paragraph shall cause to be maintained complete and accurate records of all such medical examina tions. Records shall be retained by employers for-at least 20 years. The contents of the records of the medical examina tions required by this paragraph shall be made avail able, for inspection and copying, to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, the Director of MICSH, to authorized physicians and medical consultants of either of them, and, upon the request of an employee or former employee, to his physician. Any physician who conducts a medical examination required by this paragraph shall furnish' to the employer of the examined employee all the information specifically required by this paragraph, and any other medical information related, to occupa tional exposure to asbestos fibers. D. Monitoring 1. Initial Determination Within 6 months of the publication of this section, every employer shall cause every place of employment where asbestos fibers are released to be monitored in such a way as to determine whether every employee's exposure to asbestos fibers is below the limits pre scribed in paragraph IV-3 of this section. If the limits are exceeded, the employer shall immediately undertake a compliance program. 2. Personal Monitoring Samples shall be collected from within the breathing zone of the employees, on membrane filters of 0.8 Page Twelve Asbestos c ( micrometer porosity mounted in an open-face filter holder. Samples shall be taken for the determination of the 8-hour time-weighted average airborne concen trations and of the ceiling' concentrations of asbestos fibers. Samples shall be of such frequency and pattern as to represent with reasonable accuracy the levels of expo sure of employees. In no case shall the sampling be done at intervals greater than 6 months for employees whose exposure to asbestos may reasonably be foreseen to exceed the limits prescribed by paragraph IV-3 of this section. 3- Environmental Monitoring Samples shall be collected from areas of a work environment-which are representative of the air borne concentrations of asbestos fibsrs which may reach the breathing zone of employees. Samples shall be collected on a membrane filter of 0.8 micrometer porosity mounted in an open-face filter holder. Samples shall be taken for the determina tion of the 8-hour time-weighted average airborne concentrations and of the ceiling concentrations of asbestos fibers. After the initial determinations required, samples shall be of such frequency and pattern as to repre sent with reasonable accuracy the levels of> exposure of the employees. In no case shall sampling be at intervals greater than 6 months for employees whose exposures to asbestos may reasonably be foreseen to exceed the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph IV-3. 4. Observation Affected employees, or their representatives, shall be given a reasonable opportunity to observe any monitoring required by this paragraph and shall have access to the records thereof. 5- Monitoring Records a) Records Required 6113 19216 cpage Thirteen Asbestos ( Every employer shall maintain records of any personal or environmental monitoring required by this section. Records shall be maintained for a period of at least 3 years and shall be made available upon request to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and to author ized representatives of either. b) Employee Access Every employee and former employee shall have reasonable access to any record required to be maintained by subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, which indicates the employee's own exposure to asbestos fibers. c) Employee Notification Any employee found to have been exposed at any time to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in excess of the limits prescribed in paragraph IV-3 shall be notified in vjriting of the exposure as soon as practicable but not later than 5 days of the finding. The employee shall also be timely notified of the corrective action being taken. E. Records This record keeping requirement for the various aspects of asbestos exposure are listed with the appropriate section; Exposure, Medical etc. It is recommended anything that is involved with the use of asbestos or steps to protect any employee be recorded in a log. This should include but not be limited to; exposure information, location of and type of medical exams and records, respiratory pro gram, clothing program, system of warning signs, waste disposal and others. F. Respirator Program A respirator program shall be established in accordance with the requirements of the American National Standards Practices for Respiratory protection, ANSI ZSS.2-I969. 6113 t Q217 Page Fourteen Asbestos < c G. Housekeeping All external surfaces in any place of employment shall be maintained free of accumulations of asbestos fibers if, with their dispersion, there would be an excessive concentration. H. Warning Signs 1. Work Area Signs a) Posting Caution signs shall be provided and displayed at each location where airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers may be in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph 17-3 of this section. Signs shall be posted at such a distance from such a location so that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps before entering the area marked by the signs. Signs shall be posted at all ap proaches to areas containing excessive concentra tions of airborne asbestos fibers. b) Specification a Detail The warning signs required' shall conform to the requirements of 20" x 14" vertical format signs specified in section 1910.145(a) (4) of the OSHA Standards. The signs shall display the following legend in the lower panel, with letter sizes and styles of a vis ibility at least equal to tha.t specified in this subdivision. Legend Notation Asbestos ~ Dust Hazard Avoid'Breathing Dust Wear Assigned Protective Equipment. Do Mot Remain In Area Unless Your Work ReQuires It. Breathing Asbestos Dust May Be Hazardous To Your Health. 1" Sans Serif, Gothic or Block 3/4" Sans Serif, Gothic or Block 1/4" Gothic 1/4" Gothic 1/4" Gothic l4 point Gothic 61 1 1 Page Fifteen Asbestos c c Spacing between lines shall be at least equal to the height of the upper of any two lines. 2. Product Label a) Where required Caution labels shall be affixed to all raw materials, mixtures, scrap, waste, debris and other products containing asbestos fibers, or to their containers, except that no label is required where asbestos fibers have been modi fied by a bending agent, coating, binder or other material so that during any reasonably foreseeable use, handling, storage, disposal, processing, or transportation, no airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph IV-B of this section will be released. b) Specifications and Detail The caution labels required shall be printed in letters of sufficient size and contrast as to be readily visible and legible. The label shall state: CAUTION Contains Asbestos Fibers Avoid Creating Dust Breathing Asbestos Dust May Cause ' Serious Bodily Harm I. Waste Disposal Asbestos waste, scrap, debris, bags, containers, equipment, and asbestos-contaminated clothing, consigned for disposal, which nay produce in any reasonable foreseeable use, (ie handling, storage, processing, disposal or transportation). airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits prescribed in paragraph IV-3 shall be collected and disposed of in sealed impermeable bags, or other closed impermeable containers. These bags or containers shall be buried in an approved sanitary landfill. 6113 n n o n r\ Page Sixteen Asbestos c __. c. VI. How to Monitor A. Equipment Personal sampling pump plus Millipore type AA filter (37 mm, 0.8 u pore size). Pace cap is removed and filter used open face during sampling. Sampling rate: approximately 2.OL/H. 1) The sampling pumps should be: Bendix: either Micronair or C 115 Pump; see attached Literature. MSA: Gravimetric Sampling Kit; see attached litera ture . 2) The filter should be: Millipore type MAW? O37AO0. This is a pre-packed field monitor. 3) An adapter will be needed to connect the field monitor to the tubing from the pump. This is Millipore No. XXo2 COO 04. Millipore address is Millipore Corporation, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730. 4) Before purchasing equipment, it may be helpful to contact the Industrial Hygiene section of the Medical Department for advice. B. Sampling Technique 1. Follow the instructions that come with your pump and fully charge it's batteries. 2. Connect the tubing to the pump and the aerosol adaptor to the tubing. Remove the red plug from the field monitor and insert the adaptor. Remove clear plastic section which contains the blue plug. 3. Place sampler on man. Attach the pump to his belt. Attach field monitor to collar of shirt so that it is as close as possible to the man's breathing zone. 6113 1 qo on c Page Seventeen Asbestos c 4. Start sampler and record time. Set sampling rate at 2 liters per minute. At end of sampling period, make sure sampler is running at a rate of 2 liters per minute then turn off and record time. 5. Keep detailed log of all jobs workmen perform -while they were wearing sampler. C. Evaluation of Sample 1. All determinations of airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers shall be m.2de by the membrane filter method at 400-450 x (magnification) ( 4 millimeter objective with phase contrast illumina tion). 2. Send the filter to John Fairing at the Physical Sciences Center of the Central Research Department or John Ruprecht for analysis. Also send a copy of your data sheet to them and to the Industrial Hygiene Section of the Xedical Department. We will return a fiber counu to you. By sending 'the sample to the microscopist of C.R.D. you are assured of getting accurate counts. The actual procedure is much more complicated than de scribed in the preceeding paragraph. Most plant laboratories are not equipped to perform this analysis. D. Calculations -- 1 Fiber Count You will receive from John Fairing a Total fiber count. This is the total number of fibers on the face of the membrane filter. This is the count you need. 2. Amount of Air a. You have recorded the flow rate in liters per minute. ^ b. You have recorded the sampling time in minutes. c. Multiply the flow rate (L/M) times the sampling time (minutes M) times 1000 (cc/liter). 6113 19221 Pi < age Eighteen sbestos c c 3- Fiber Concentration Divide the fiber count (1) by the amount of air (2). This will give you fiber concentration in fibers per cc of air. Compare with standards in section IV. / 6113 1$222 c page Nineteen Asbestos VII. References c 1. Occupational Health Bulletin Vol. 26, Nos. 11-12, Occupational Health Division, Department of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa,`Canada. 2. Safety Standards Vol. 21, No. 3, ?g. 2, U. S. Depart ment of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Adminis tration. 3. Federal Register, Vol. 37, No. 110, Wednesday, June 7, 1972, Pg. 11318. 4. OSHA Memo #22 "Asbestos Standard!' SC:??: CSD Monsanto Co. dated June 27, 1972. 5. Personal Communication Letter from IC. M. Waiiengford, NIOSH to C. D. Bohl, Monsanto, dated August 15, 1972. 6. Employment Safety and Health Guide Commerce Clearing House, Inc., Chicago, paragraph 8329, page 6576 dated March 1, 1972. 7. OSHA Sampling Sheet #2 Asbestos. Mine_Safety Appliances Company, Pittsburg, Pa. > 6113 19223