Document VGyKR5bq8xbjjNNELE5dJ8NJq

FILE NAME Brakes BRK DATE 1976 Oct 29 DOC BRK058 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Letter to BC from Raybestos with Attachment Recommended Procedures for Reducing Asbestos Dust During Brake Servicing Kaybestos 4 CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 100 OAKVIEW DRIVE TRUMBULL CONNECTICUT 06611 U.S.A. 203 371-0101 October 29 1976 JOHN H. MARSH DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS Mr. Barry Castleman 17 Riggs Place N.W. Washington D.C. 20009 Dear Barry As I mentioned to you on the telephone work practice instructions are included with every package of brake lining shipped from our factories In some cases a card is inserted in the package with the brake lining In other cases a stick label combining the required OSHA caution label and the work practice instructions is used Samples of both are enclosed When inquiries are received from the field we routinely supply the AIA booklet Recommended Work Practices in the Fabrication and Use of Asbestos Friction Materials Other materials sent out include the booklet What You Should Know About Asbestos and Health a one page instruction sheet Recommended Procedure for Brake Servicing lists of Reducing Asbestos Dust During suppliers of protective protective clothing cleaning equipment sources of information on design and control of local exhaust systems and laboratories and consultants offering asbestos dust monitoring services Copies of these documents are enclosed We have developed a new instructional film for brake service mechanics which includes an 8 minute segment on safe working practices when handling asbestos containing friction materials and we have offered to cooperate with publishers of trade magazines on educational articles emphasizing safe work practices for brake service mechanics We hope these efforts on our part service mechanic to the necessity work procedures will alert the brake for observing proper Again use of let the me thank you for your instruction card suggestion Sincerely concerning the as Enclosure CC Mr. R. H. Mereness Mr. I. H. Weaver Mr. P. I. Lee i er ~) 4 | | 7 RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR REDUCING ASBESTOS DUST DURING BRAKE SERVICING Because studies have indicated that exposure to excessive amounts of asbestos dust may be a potential health hazard OSHA has set maximum limits of levels of airborne asbestos dust to which workers may be exposed Since most automotive friction materials normally contain a sizable amount of asbestos it is important that people who handle brake linings and clutch facings understand the nature of the problem and know the precautions to be taken 1. Areas where brake work is done should be set aside if possible and entrances should be posted with an asbestos exposure sign as follows Asbestos - Dust Hazard ' Avoid Breathing Dust Wear Assigned Protective Equipment Do Not Remain in Area Unless Your Work Requires It Breathing Asbestos Dust May Be Hazardous To Your Health 2. The amount of asbestos in the dust from brake lining wear is normally at an extremely low level because of chemical breakdown during use and if machining of friction material does not take place simple procedures will minimize exposure During brake servicing the mechanic should wear an air purifying respirator either a throwaway or one with replaceable particulate filter as approved by the mining Enforcement and Safety Administration or NIOSH It should be worn during all procedures starting with the removal of the wheels and including reassembly 3. During disassembly all parts should be carefully placed on the floor to minimize the possibility of creating airborne dust Dust should first be cleaned from the brake drums brake backing plates and brake assemblies using an industrial type vacuum cleaner equipped with a high efficiency filter system After vacuum cleaning any remaining dust should be removed by using a rag soaked in water and wrung until nearly dry Under no circumstances should compressed air or dry brushing be , used for cleaning 4. Of extreme importance are the precautions which must be taken during machining of friction material This is the operation in brake servicing when exposure to asbestos dust is at its highest In addi- tion to the approved respirator there must be local exhaust ventilation such that the worker exposures are maintained at least below the 1976 OSHA asbestos standards If there is any question as to the efficiency of asbestos dust removal by the machine the manufacturer should be contacted 5. Industrial vacuum cleaner bags containing asbestos dust and cloths used for wiping brake assemblies should be sealed in plastic bags and labeled with the following warning label printed in letters of sufficient size and contrast to be readily visible and . legible Caution Contains Asbestos Fibers Avoid Breathing Dust Breathing Asbestos Dust May Cause Serious Bodily Harm All asbestos waste should be disposed of in accordance with the OSHA asbestos regulation During removal of vacuum bags an approved respirator as described in 2 above should be worn 6. All floor cleaning in areas where brakes are repaired should be done with the high efficiency industrial vacuum cleaner as described in 3 above Under no circumstances should dry sweeping take place Grinding arcing machines should also be cleaned with such a vacuum cleaner and any remaining dust wiped with a damp cloth An approved respirator as described previously should be used during this cleaning Although adherence to the above procedures should minimize any contamination of work clothing it is necessary that the appropriate sections of the OSHA regulations on asbestos be followed when ceiling levels on asbestos dust exceed current standards This could involve special clothing change rooms etc. At the very least the work clothes should not be taken home but should remain at work for industrial laundering . 8. Proper hygiene practices will help minimize exposure to asbestos dust Wash thoroughly before eating and do not eat in the work area Remember smoking is harmful to the health and smoking coupled with breathing asbestos dust is extremely dangerous CAUTION DO NOT BREATHE ASBESTOS DUST Ben Soe Ten eeene connate sare mente Fe US ne mes em rmamnnneae ITE Tey cn. Cd eee 0 en ae oe ce cece arenes ane ee CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION || CAUTION 403 ASBESTOSASBESTOS DUST HAZARD CAUTION - AVOID CREATING DUST CONTAINS ASBESTOS DUSFTIBMEARYS - CAUSE SERIOUS SERIOUS BODILY HARM BREATHING ASBESTOS | IMPORTANTDO Use Vacuum or Wet Cleaning Methods Do NOT Breathe Dust DO Dispose of Dust in Sealed Container Do NOT Use Air Hose for Cleaning DO Wear Mask if Unable to Avoid Dust Do NOT Machine Without Dust CollectionCollection Equipment Inc. Environmental Affairs Department Raybestos Manhattan CONN 06611 For Further Information Contact TRUMBULL i ' u oe ee ae moot if i i oe 1 ty