Document M4N1b402vKrMdd2503q2VnBEk

ASBESTOS A. Purpose To protect employees from exposure to asbestos fibers. B. Work Practice ----- l "~p r 0 -v 3 1. All asbestos material shall be handled wet when cut, scored, or f u removed to prevent the emission of airborne fibers. 2. In demolition or removal from pipes, structures or equipment covered or insulated with asbestos respiratory protection must be worn. 3- Respiratory protection can be obtained by using a twin cartridge ^ / a r n 3 * *- respirator ax. wi h a,n nT-tra- twrn nidS^r-- A1 so, add i tJonal-respiira ttrry pi^tect iprrs;an be-obta ineB-wi th .a ^continuous a i r._ f 1 owJ or pressure. :rr. demand.--mask, - Disposable coveralls must be worn. 5. Head and foot coverings must be worn as well as gloves. 6. All external surfaces in any place where asbestos has been taken down from pipes shall be maintained free of accumulation. 7. All waste, scrap, debris containers, equipment, and disposable coveralls shall be collected in sealed impermeable bags. 8. Sealed impermeable bags shall have the word "ASBESTOS" printed on them. 9. Bags can be obtained from the warehouse. 10. Disposal of the sealed impermeable bags containing asbestos will be done by taking all bags to the blue dumpster box located in the Diaphragm Cell area if in Plant "A". If in Plant "B" or "C", your supervisor will tell the location of the dumpster. J BB 0000345 | Asbestos has been known for many years to be capable of producing a chronic lung disease in man., This is called asbestosis which is a chronic lung Illness that produces shortness of breath and coughing. It occurs as a result of scar tissue forming within the lung tissue as a result of the inhalation of asbestos fibers. This occurs gradually over a period of time and, in itself, causes only shortness of breath and increased lung scarring. The other problem that asbestos is capable of causing is cancer. It is known to cause lung cancer very frequently in individuals who also smoke. Asbestos is also capable of causing a special kind of cancer called mesothe lioma which is a cancer that involves the lining or covering of the lungs and the lining of the abdominal cavity. People who have these cancers are almost always previously exposed to asbestos. Several studies have also indicated an increased cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and the rectum in individuals who have been exposed to asbestos. It is obvious, therefore, that individuals working in or around asbestos should take special cautions to avoid breathing the fibers. This is fairly easy when it is known where the asbestos is, but may be difficult especially around old construction where asbestos was used as insulation around pipes, in walls, around ducting;and therefore an individual is not aware of the fact that asbestos dust may be present. At Lake Charles, because we know asbestos is used and because we are under the government health standard involving the use of asbestos and individuals exposed to it, the Lake Charles plant has had for many years a health program which is especially designed to avoid the development of disease caused by asbestos. We monitor our individuals by an annual physical examination which includes as required by the OSHA standard a chest X-ray, pulmonary function studies, and a physical examination. We do more than this on most individuals 1 BB 0000346 | V but this is what is required under the standard. We also require that individuals working in or around asbestos wear respiratory protection. Once the fibers get into the lung, we have no known way of getting them out and permitting the lung to heal. The development of cancer takes many years often times before it developes. Therefore, one must be careful even in their younger days in order not to develop a lung cancer at the age of 40 to 45. ] BB 0000347