Document MJXBe77B0M9Npa5EebLZ84xRV

Federal Register / Vol. 51, No. 119 I Friday. June 20, 1986 / Rules and Regulations 22777 Source: Product Catalog, Asbestos Control Technologies, Inc., Maple Shade, N.J., 1985. Figure F-l. HEPA Filtered Vacuums ,Source: Product Catalog. Asbestos Control Technologies, Inc.. Maple Shade.fJ.f,1985. Figure F-2. Portable Exhaust Ventilation System with HEPA Filter ' ' Wetting Agents. Wetting-agents (surfactants) are added to water (which is then called amended water) and used to soak asbestos-containing materials; amended water penetrates more effectively than plain water and permits more thorough soaking of the asbestos-containing materials. Wetting the asbestos-containing material reduces the . number of.fibers that wit) break free tfhd become airborne when the asbestoscontaining material is handled or otherwise disturbed. Asbestos-containing materials should be thoroughly soaked before removal is attempted; the dislodged material should feel spongyto the touch. Wetting agents are generally prepared by mixing 1 to. 3 ounces of wetting agent to 5 gallons of water. ' One type of asbestos, aniosite. is relatively resistant to soaking, either with plain or amended water. The. work practices of choice when-working with amosite containing . material are to soak the materia) as much as possible and then to bag it for disposal immediately after removal, so that the material has.no time to dry and be ground. . into smaller particles that are more likely to liberate airborne asbestos. In a very limited number of situations, it may not be possible to wet the asbestoscontaining materio! before removing it. Examples of such rare situations are: (1) Removal of asbestos material from a live" concentration of asbestos fibers in the work electrical box that was oversprayed with the area. If the concentration of asbestos fibers is material when the rest of the area was . unknown, employees should be provided sprayed with asbestos-containing coating; with respirators that will provide protection and (2) removing asbestos-containing against the highest concentration of asbestos insulation from a live steam^pipe. In both of fibers that can reasonably be expected.to . these situations; the preferrod:approach exist in the work area. For most work within would be to turn off the electricity or steam, .an enclosure, employees should wear half-:, respectively, to permit wet removal methods mask dual-filter cartridge respirators. - to be used. However, where removal.work Disposable face mask respirators (single-use) must be performed during working hours, i.e., should not be used to protect employers from when normal operations caqnot be disrupted, exposure to asbestos fibers. the asbestos-containing matprial must be Disposable Coveralls. Employees involved, removed dry. Immediate bagging is.then the> in asbestos removal operations should be only method of minimizing the amount of provided with disposable impervious . airborne asbestos generated. . ..coveralls that are equipped with head.and Airless Sprayer..Airless sprayers are used to apply amended water.to'asbestos- > foot covers. Such coveralls are. typically made.of Tyyek.1 The coverall has a zipper containing materials. Airless sprayers allow front and elastic wrists and.ankles. . . the amended water to be' applied in a fine . Signs and Labels. Before work .begins, a spray that minimizes the release of asbestos . supply of signs to demarcate thp entrance to fibers by reducing the impact of the spray on the work area should be obtained. Signs are . the material to be removed. Airless sprayers available (hat have.the wording required by are inexpensive and readily available^ the final OSHA standard. The required labels Portable Shower. Unless the site has available a permanent shower facility that is contiguous to the removal area, a portable ` shower system is riccesssary to permit are also commercially available as press-on labels and pre-printed on the 6-mil polyethylene plastic.bags used to dispose of asbestos-containing waste material. employees to clean themselves after exposure to asbestos and to remove any asbestos contamination from their hair end bodies. Taking a shower prevents employees from leaving the work area with asbestos on their clothes and thus prevents .the spread of asbestos contamination to areas outside the . Preporing the Work Area Preparation for constructing negativepressure enclosures should begin with.the removal of all movable objects from the work area, e.g., desks, chairs, rugs, and light . fixtures,'to ensure that these objects do not asbestos removal area. This measure also become contaminated with asbestos. When protects members of the families of asbestos movable objects are contaminated or are workers from possible exposure to asbestos. suspected of being contaminated, they should Showers should be supplied with warm water be vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum and and a drain. A shower water filtration system cleaned with amended water, unless they are to filter asbestos fibers from the shower made of material that will be damaged by the water is recommended. Portable shower units wetting agent; wiping with plain water is are readily available, inexpensive, and easy recommend in those cases where amended to install and transport. water will damage the object. Before the Respirators. Employees involved in asbestos removal work begins, objects that asbestos removal projects should be provided with appropriate NlOSH-approved respirators. Selection of the appropriate respirator should be based on the 1 Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or - recommendation for use. GLEASON-001025