Document VJrzDdR3K0d1ZozMQGxNge2Qg

-V' * _ Safety ft Envizmnental Health R^eaaentatives Steel Operations Ore, Stone ft Lake Shipping Operations Texas Uranian Operations Research laboratory Chief Mine Inspectors * Ooal Operations Division Safety Representatives Procedures for Removing Insulation Materials Containing Asbestos / Vmted (Q\ States \2/ Steel / Corpondxcm j,J--rcu latarsnaRizatisR Carrsapa#------- ----------- to October 17, 1980 1 1>LAINTIFF'S J. B. Masaitis Assistant Manager ^ &rvironmental Health exhibit usx-ii6 j I 'AttfEnea Is the procedure we reccrroend to be used for removing asbestos insulation materials. Use of this procedure should effectively control enployee exposure to airborne asbestos fibers* JFQ/nxSd Attactnent Is t ' *-- . ............. iF USX0000353 PROCEDURES FOR REMOVING INSULATION MATERIALS CONTAINING ASBESTOS Both OSHA and MSHA have established a permissible exposure level of 2 asbestos fibers, longer than 5 microns, per cubic centimeter of air over an 8-hour work period. Zn addition, both agencies have set a maximum concentration of 10 fibers per cubic centimeter of air, longer than 5 microns, which is not to be exceeded at any time during the workday. The teardovn or removal of asbestos insulation materials from walls, ceilings, steam pipes, furnaces, etc., has the poten tial to generate atmospheric asbestos concentrations well in excess of these sxpcowrs- limits. Zn the event that any such material is to be removed from any area or operation at a U. S. Steel facility, the following control measures are recommended as guidelines to mini mize employee exposures to airborne fibers. A. Work Practices - to minimize dust generation 1. Prior to handling, the insulation should be thoroughly wetted with water. 2. The insulation should be removed in as large of sections as possible. That is, the amount of fracturing should be minimized. 3. Where the insulation must be cut, hand tools, such as chisels or knives, a^e preferable rather than hand saws or power tools. 4. The insulation should be collected and placed in sealed, labeled impermeable bags or other closed impermeable containers. The labels should state: CAUTION CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS AVOID CREATING DUST BREATHING. ASBESTOS DUST MAY CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY BARM USX0000354 2- B. Personal Protective Equipment All employees involved in the operation should be required to wear NIOSH-approved respirators. The use of a particular type respirator shall be determined by the exposure level as outlined below. Air Purifying Dust Respirator (Must have specific NIOSH approval for protection against asbestos-containing dusts) Ex. - MSA Coinfo XX-Type T filter Mot store than 10. times the 8-hr. time-weighted average exposure level or the ceiling concentrtion. - Norton Model 7506 Powered Air Purifying Respirator - Not more than 100 times the TWA exposure level or ceiling concentra tion. Type "C* Supplied Air Respirator - Not more than * 1000 times the TWA exposure level or ceiling concentra tion. Xf the asbestos is thoroughly wetted, hand tools are used to remove the asbestos, and the operation is in an area of good general ventilation, air purifying respirators should be adequate to reduce employee exposures to below the permissible levels. Respirator wearers should be instructed to wash the respirators and change filters, where applicable, daily. They should also be given proper fitting instructions. Due to the extremely hasardous nature of asbestos, it is important to comply with the appropriate regulations governing the use of respiratory protection. For those facilities under OSHA jurisdiction, these regulations are stated in 29 CFR 1910.134. MSHA requires a respirator program consistent with the provisions of ANSI XSt.2-1969. USX0000355 *1 a 3- C. Monitoring The employees' asbestos exposures; i.e., those removing the insulation and other employees, such as operating personnel who mey be exposed to the insuletion dust, should be senitored at the begin ning of the operation and periodically thereafter until the exposure levels are established.. Zt is not necessary to monitor each employee exposure during every monitoring period. Breathing-zone samples should be collected on open-face 37mm Millipore Type AA filters with a sampling rate of 2.0 liters/ minute. The sampling time is determined by the total particulate concentration. Sampling periods of 15 minutes to 8 hours are acceptable. Since the individual fibers must be counted microscopically, the sample must not be too heavy. A slight filter discoloration is acceptable. Environmental BealthPittsburgh will conduct the asbestos counting. D. Personal Bygiene 1. The employees should be instructed to wash hands, face and forearms prior to drinking, eating or smoking. 2. The contaminated work clothing should be thoroughly vacuum cleaned prior to removal. Coveralls or similar whole body clothing is recommended. E. Housekeeping Dry sweeping of the insulation should be prohibited. Vacuum cleaning methods should be utilized on floors and other exposed surfaces contaminated with asbestos. F. Restricted Area All employees whose work does not require occupancy in the area of insulation removal should be prohibited. G. Training The employees should be Instructed to the hazards of asbestos and the precautionary measures that are being taken to control their exposures. B. Disposal Asbestos waste should be accumulated separately from other refuse, and the local haulers contracted to dis pose of this material must be 'informed that"the waste products contain asbestos. JFQ/mdd 10/17/80 USX0000356