Document Ed2bZemVoX7Dyyy0v2aNjRDNR

PROPOSED ENGINEERING STANDARD MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL OF ASBESTOS DUST EXPOSURE 1. SCOPE 1.1 This standard sets forth general information on methods of controlling asbestos dust exposures and describes an acceptable method of sampling asbestos dust concentra tions in the work area. - 2. GENERAL 2.1 Asbestosis and lung cancer hare long been associated with asbestos; the incidence of these diseases has historically been significantly higher among asbestos workers than among the general population. 2.2 Principal sources of airborne asbestos dust exposure in . Company operations are: .2.2.1 Operation of saws in shop for fabricating insulation. 2.2.2 Opening boxes of new insulation. 2.2.3 Tearing down old Insulation on lines and vessels. 2.2.4 Mixing asbestos to form cement. 2.2.5 Removing clothing after completing insulation duties. 2.2.6 Cutting asbestos base shingles, transits, etc. Exposure may be controlled at acceptable levels by properly engineered dust collection systems, use of respirators, ana good personal hygiene. 2.3 Safe levels of asbestos dust concentrations in air must conform to threshold limit values established in ST2. 2.4 An acceptable method of sampling, to determine the concentration of asbestos dust in air, utilises a battery-operated sampling pump worn by an employee which continuously draws air through a special filter. Filters are sent to a testing laboratory for a fiber count. 3. CONTROL OF ASBESTOS DUSTS 3.1 Handling Asbestos Insulation ^ 3.1.1 Cartons of block Insulation are a potential source of.severe dust exposure. The rough, abrasive DUP 0901742 SC-DP-00063 -2- nature of the block material is conducive to creating dust within the cartons. 3.1.2 Cartons should be opened at one end and vacuumed for accumulated dust, not dumped out. 3.1*3 Handle the blocks with care. If dust cannot be eliminated by vacuum, then respiratory protection is in order. 3.1.4 Block insulation with a glaze coating, which makes it virtually dust free for handling pur poses, is available in limited quantities. 3.1.5 Hand cutting (saw or knife) raises dusts. This work should be done on a perforated cutting board placed over a disposable plastic bag-lined drum or other suitable container. Vet the bag regularly to prevent causing dust from the container when other scrap is dropped into it. 3.1.6 Dampening slightly with water tends to reduce all dust hazards. 3.2 Asbestos Power Cutting Operation 3.2.1 All operators of machines shall wear suitable respiratory protection while cutting or shaping materials. 3.2.2 All major power cutting machines should be Isolated In a separate working area. Exhaust systems shall be connected to all machines to draw away all dusts and cuttings. This system should discharge through a cyclone and precipitate into a container where it Is wetted to reduce dust when emptying. 3.2*3 The machine work area shall have vacuum clean-up system. This can be a system of boses connected to the main collection system. All parts of the room must have daily vacuum clean-up of all ledges, shalvas, floors, and machines. Avoid sweeping* Caps or dampers are necessary in each hose ana machine connection to maintain capacity of the system. 3.2.4 Air samples shall be taken, as outlined in Section 6, to assure effective control of all dusts. DUP 0901743 -3 - 3.3 Asbestos - Cement Mixing 3.3*1 When handling dry asbestos cement, respiratory protection shall be used. 3.3.2 Asbestos cement should be purchased in sealed plastic bags to permit addition of liquid and blending without exposure to dry dust. 3.3>3 Any dried out cement should be discarded. Do not attempt to rework it. 3.4 Remoral of Asbestos Insulation for Repair or Dismantle ment 3.4.1 Where possible, the insulation to be removed should be wet down. Continue wetting as insula tion is removed. 3.4.2 Employees engaged in dismantling asbestos Insulation shall wear suitable respiratory protection. Consideration must also be given to exposure of personnel working in the area who are not directly involved. 3.4.3 Scrap insulation shall be placed in either plastic bags or closed containers and kept damp, pending disposal. 3.4.4 Ultimate disposal of the asbestos shall be according to the local Plant policy. 4. RESPIRATOR! EQUIPMENT 4.1 Respiratory protection shall be provided where TLV may be exceeded. 4.1*1 Supplied air breathing apparatus will provide complete protection. 4.1.2 Where adequate oxygen is in the air, a cartridgetype respirator, capable of filtering particles at least down to 5 microns, will afford adequate protection. Manufacturers' recommendations for their application and maintenance must be followed. 5. PERSONAL HYGIENE 5.1 All smoking shall be prohibited where the potential for exposure to asbestos dust exists. 5*2 Respirators and masks must be kept clean. DUP 0901744 5.3 Clothes must be kept free of dust accumulation. Avoid breathing asbestos dust when removing clothes. 5.4 Wash hands before eating or smoking. Do not carry or store food in work areas; do not eat in work areas. SAMPLING 6.1 An acceptable method of sampling of personnel exposure to asbestos dust is with a portable battery-powered air sampler worn by the worker. The sample may not be collected in hazardous areas. 6.1.1 Sampling of each operation should be carried out at least monthly for a full 6-hour shift. If results indicate an unsafe level of asbestos dust exposure, the operation should be revised - -- to reduce exposure and resampled. ( 6.1.2 Equipment. Currently used sampling equipment V consists of a Onico Model 440-B "Mlghty-Mite" )\ sampler with a Millipore Filter (Cat. No. MAWG-037-A0 - .6 microns). The procedure for J< operation and maintenance of this equipment is available from Haskell Laboratory. Sampling / record forms (EN 2731) are available from l Stationery. 6.1.3 Sample Analysis.Completed samples (exposed filters) are sealed in a plastic container and mailed with two copies of the sampling record to: Morton Corn, Ph.D. Graduate School of Public Health Department of Occupational Health University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213 Attention: Felix Stein DUP 0901745