Document X7eZZOvr19Gmy4KMQE1dBL5Zg

KtNTUCxr OLTAHTMLNT Or LABOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ANO HEALTH PROGRAM FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY 40fi01 OATE: July IS, 1981 STANDARDS INTERPRETATION DIRECTIVE NO. 15 (Revision #2) REFERENCED STANDARD: 29 CFR i910.'l001( j)(2), (3) or (4) as adopted by 803 KAR 2:020 SUBJECT: Medical Examinations for Employees Exposed to Asbestos Fibers CANCELLATION: This directive supersedes revised SID No. 15 Issued Oecemotr 1978. Purpose: To clarify the requirement for medical examination for employees exposed to asbestos fibers and to provide uniform inspection procedures. Background: The OSH Program has ^determined that violations of 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(2), (3) or (4) exist whe'n employees are exposed to a minimum of 0.1 asbestos fibers longer than 5 micrometers per cubic centimeter of air. (The phrase "fibers longer than 5 micrometers per cubic centimeters of air "shall hereafter be abbreviated as "fibers/cc.") However, for situations in which sampling of exposure is infeasible, violations may be based on evidence obtained as prescribed in paragraph (3)(Q) of this directive. Interpretation: A. Medical examinations as per 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(2), (3) or (4) will be required for any 7- to 8-hour time-weighted average concentration of 0.1 fibers/cc, or for a greater concentration. If an employee refuses to ta.ke the required medical e'amination, an appropriate signed statement of refusal shall be maintained on file by the employer. E>KS 065 NOTE: Evidence shall be obtained from monitoring results from the employer (contractor) or other source (e.g., insurance company ; company .or plant for whom contracting work is being done; building owner/ building management; other Federal, State or local agency), and shall indicate exposure levels above 0.1 fibers/cc of asbestos. (2) Oocument, by employee, employee representative, and union .interviews., that._this wo.rlc.was .performed .routinely, on a repeated basis; or that the use or handling of asbestos was performed on an irregular basis, but employees were exposed to significant amounts of dust containing asbestos. In addition, obtain documentation from written employer information on these routine operations, if it exists. (3) The violative conditions must have occurred at least within the previous 6 months. E. Types of Violations. Violations of 29 CFR 1910.1Q01(j)(2), (3) or (4) will be classified in accordance with existing Program policy. Effective Date: This directive becomes effective immediately and will remain In effect until cancelled or superseded. * Mike Salyers' Technical Support Michael 0. Ragland Executive Director