Document N2vaLBLk2E0o9w5jzXYM0zL1w

FILE NAME Brakes BRK DATE 1986 DOC BRK221 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION EPA Recommended Practices - Controlling Brake Dust ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This fact sheet was prepared by the Federal Brake Mechanic Education Program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Other free materials include a poster and a technical guidance document A videotape is also available For copies of these materials or additional free information on asbestos call or write to the EPA office in your region or U.S. EPA TSCA Assistance Office 799 401 M Street S.W. Washington D.C. 20460 202 554-1404 Additional occupational information on asbestos is available from OSHA Office of Information and Consumer Affairs Room 3637 200 Constitution Avenue N.W. Washington D.C. 20210 202 523-8151 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati Ohio 45226 513 533-8323 DO'S DO clean brakes and drums with special HEPA vacuum cleaners DO use ground install parts when possible DO lathe brake blocks at a low speed with proper -equipped exhaust ventilation DO dispose of asbestos waste according to Federal and local regulations DO wash thoroughly before eating or going home DO change into clean clothes before going home DO stop smoking a EPAEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington DC 20460 EPA 560- 86-003 Sept 1986 Asbestos Action Program Controlling Brake Dust to Protect Your Health What ... Every Auto Mechanic Should Know DON'Ts DON'T clean with air hose e dry brush or rag wet brush or rag garden hose liquid squirt bottle solvent spray e@ ordinary shop DON'T grind brake blocks DON'T lathe bevel drill or cut brake blocks without proper exhaust ventilation DON'T take work clothing home DON'T eat drink or smoke in work areas CONTROLLING BRAKE DUST TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH of these dust particles are so small that they can pass through the filter bag of an ordinary vacuum cleaner and spread throughout a garage Mechanics and anyone else in a garage where brake and clutch work are done may be exposed to asbestos dust Some brake dust can be seen when a brake drum is removed from a car truck or other equipment But there are also many very small dust particles that can't be seen with the naked eye These invisible particles may be asbestos or other brake lining materials Breathing these particles can damage your health Many years after breathing them they may cause shortness of breath lung disease or cancer Asbestos is only one of many materials used in brake linings today The only way sure way to know what is in the dust from a particular brake is to test it in a laboratory Since some newer brake lining materials are still being tested caution is necessary The only practical way to protect your health and those around you is to control the release of brake dust in your garage to the lowest level possible CLEANING METHODS THAT RELEASE BRAKE DUST INTO THE AIR Air Hose DON'T BLOW BRAKE DUST NEVER USE AN AIR HOSE FOR CLEANING This blows brake dust into the air of your garage it is one of the worst things you can do and this is now illegal When brakes are cleaned with an air hose invisible particles of brake dust can stay in the air long after a brake job is done Any activity in the brake work area can stir up the particles that have settled Other Methods that Release Brake Dust into the Air Also not recommended are cleaning with a dry brush or rag wet brush or rag garden hose liquid squirt bottle solvent spray or ordinary shop These methods will also stir up visible and invisible brake dust Many CONTROLLING BRAKE DUST Enclosure Method A enclosure system has a special box with clear plastic walls or windows which fits tightly around a brake assembly Some boxes can even fit over a brake drum Good brake cleaning can be done without exposing mechanics or contaminating a garage A special air gun inside the box is used for cleaning An exhaust hose goes from the box or drum to a special HEPA asbestos vacuum cleaner which draws out and stores the brake dust The manufacturer's instructions should be carefully followed when using this system and changing the filters or collection bags Improper changing can release dangerous amounts of asbestos into the air Steps for using this type of equipment on drum brakes are simple Check that the hose IS securely fastened to the HEPA vacuum container and to the brake enclosure Also check that the vacuum container seals and clips are in proper functioning order according to the manufacturer's instructions 2. Remove the wheel 3. Turn on the asbestos vacuum cleaner 4. Place the enclosure over the drum being sure it forms a tight seal behind the backing plate 5. Place hands into the attached rubber gloves if the enclosure is equipped with them 6. Remove the brake drum Some equipment allows use of a hammer or other tools when needed inside the enclosure for drums that are hard to remove 7. Blow dust off the drum and brake assembly using the air gun attachment inside the enclosure 8. Clean all the inside surfaces of the enclosure towards the vacuum exit using the air gun attachment inside the enclosure 9 Remove the enclosure and turn off the vacuum cleaner HEPA stands for an extremely fine efficiency particulate aerosol filtration system Wet Methods Using specially designed lowpressure spray equipment that wets down brake dust and properly catches the run may prevent some asbestos from spreading around a garage Be sure to use only the liquid recommended by the manufacturer Waste All waste that contains brake dust must be carefully disposed of according to Federal and local regulations for asbestos materials Asbestos waste should be placed in a specially marked heavy plastic bag double tied and stored in a leakproof airtight container designated for asbestos waste Machining and Bevelling Use ground install parts If a brake lining must be drilled grooved cut bevelled or turned low speeds should always be used to keep down the amount of dust created All machinery should have an adequate -equipped local exhaust dust collection system to prevent asbestos exposures and shop contamination BRAKE LININGS SHOULD NEVER BE GROUND because this makes a lot of dust Slow turning will get the same job done with much less dust Special Areas for Brake Work Where practical brake work should be done in a special area set apart from other work areas No one should eat drink or smoke in an area where brake work is done Smokers who are exposed to asbestos even while they are not smoking are at specially high risk of getting lung cancer If you smoke you should get help to stop smoking If possible work clothes should be laundered at special facilities equipped to wash clothing contaminated with asbestos OSHA asbestos under 29 CFR asbestos waste familiar with waste disposal regulations are covered 1910 Transport and disposal of should be done only by = individuals procedures for handling asbestos waste In accordance with EPA's waste disposal guidance 85-007