Document gDOjBpQk7kLBDm0e4Zb7ON599

FILE NAME: Shipbuilders Council of America (SHIP) DATE: 1972 Feb 4 DOC#: SHIP022 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: SCA Memo RE NAVSHIPS Instruction on Asbestos Exposure Hazards with Dept of Navy Instruction SHIPBUILDERS COUNCIL OP AMERICA W A T E R G A T E SIX H U N D R E D IW ASHINGTON, . C. 30037 F e b r u a r y 4, 1972 To: ACCIDENT PREVENTION COMMITTEE M. P. Redford, Cha i r m a n H a r r y H. H o w a r d J. R a d cliffe M a a m e n e e Harold J. M o r g a n Maurice Mosier William L. Rich J. S a m u e l Stratton Paul Sousa R. A. Stubblefield M a n u e l C. Val D e z Edward Verderane G. P. Walls Searle T. Walton Subject: N A V S H I P S Instruction on Asbestos Expsoure Hazards T h e enclosed N A V S H I P S instruction dated 9 F e b r u a r y 1971, is for your information as to N a v y 's approach on asbestos dusts on N a v y w o r k in private yards. W e understand that s o m e yards have already received their instruction directly f r o m N A V S H I P S . Note that on page 4, item paragraph (17) mentions the 5 fibers limit as in the D e c e m b e r 7, 1971, O S H A E m e r g e n c y Standard. <JUL E. P. Ruddy 3 Secretary < n cc; T h o m a s J. Defoe Otho H auns child Thomas Hayes R. E. Mingledorff Kent Savage PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT SBCA 5036 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY N A V A L SHIP SYSTEMS COMMAND W A SH IN G TO N . CVC. 20360 IX HI f i Y HCI ER TO NAVSHIFSINST 510' 07D:JC:lb Ser 70-07D 9 February 1971 HAVSHIF3 INSTRUCTION 5100,26 From: Commander, .Naval Ship Systems Command Subj: Asbestos Exposure Hazards} control of Ref: (a) MIL-STB 769C of 15 Nov 1969, Thermal Insulating Requirements for Machinery and Piping (b) NAVSHIP3 Technical Manual 9390 of Sep 1967 . (c) NAVMAT P-5100 "Safety Precautions for Shore Activities" (d) NAVKAT P-10A70 "Safety Equipment Manual" Enel: (1) Suggested Warning Signs | 1. Pur-nose. of asbestos. To prescribe appropriate safety precautions j- ' | 2. Background. -! during the use a. Asbestos is a broad term applied to a group of fibrous minerals such as amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, etc., composed of silicates of iron, sodium, calcium and/or magnesium. i - _. b. The most critical use of asbestos in the Navy from a safety viewpoint is in the fabrication, installation, repair or removal of pipe and boiler insulation materials. Some workers sustain accidental con tacts either while employed in various capacities where asbestos products are processed or when working in plant areas in which an environmental pollution of the air exists due to asbestos. The severe effects of asbestos on the lungs is the main factor for considering the elimination of asbestos as an insulation material bh piping, ducts and boilers. References (a) and (b) set standards of materials which are to be used. These references will be reviewed periodically and changed as necessary to reflect the use of new materials that meet or exceed the standards now in use. Reference (c) also provides guidance on precautions regard ing asbestos. 3, Action. The following safety precautions will be observed by all supervisors and workers engaged in the fabrication, installation and/or removal (rip-out) of asbestos-containing insulation/material. The pro visions of this instruction will be effective as of this date. The provisions of this instruction are considered as minimum health and safety requirements; more stringent restrictions may be applied by local Commanders. S2Q2 \ NAVSHIPSIKST 5100.26 9 February 1971 a. Fabrication: (1) Asbestos operations should be' segregated from uhe'r operations so as not to expose other personnel to asbestos du: A- T the work cannot be separated, personnel in immediately adjace areas will wear a Bureau of Mines approved respirator for irritant U'its and other prescribed, personal, protective equipment. The variou iu-sms of personal, protective equipment will be those approved by the ndustrial Hygienist, the Medical Officer, or as authorized by reference fd), (2) The handling and fabrication areas will be res' etod uo the necessary workers, supervisors and inspection personnel di octl.y concerned with the asbestos operations. Casual visitors or p will be restricted from entry into any area where'asbestos'con-, materials are being fabricated. All supervisors, workers, ins'- - etc., will wear approved respirators for irritant dusts when t'- ,, working with dry material containing asbestos or are in asbestc s-cortaminated areas of-work spaces. (3) Asbestos cloth cutting tables or benches provide >.d\b adequate local exhaust ventilation should be used whenever cutt\ r/.> operations are performed. Exhaust air containing asbestos dust - - 1 be dispersed into the atmosphere without being adequately filter Filters will be carefully changed or cleaned to prevent atmospht contamination. (4 ) Power saws will be located in a-suitable enclosure which is equipped with exhaust ventilation to a filter trap.' This.exb wosi' ventilation will > j independent of the shop ventilation supply/c-liausi. system. The switches will be interlocked so that the exhaust sjr'ten operates at all times while the saw blades are in operation. (5) Suitable waste containers lined with disposable pi is tic tags will be provided at each cutting table/fabrication operation- Dis carded and scrap asbestos materials will be immediately placed in piasti bags which are then sealed for disposal. Scrap should be disposed of oa a daily basis. (6) The Industrial Hygienist or Medical Officer will r 'covr,u n the exact method and place of disposal of asbestos dusts and scra.> to minimize exposures. (7) Shop walls, ceilings and floors should be designed <.. prevent dust accumulations and to facilitate housekeeping measure.- 2 NAVSHIPSINST 5100.2( '9 February 1971 (8) Industrial type vacuum cleaners should be used to "pick up dusts and scrap. The vacuum cleaner operator will wear an approved respirator when operating his cleaner. The water impaction collection system vacuums best and safely. Dry sweeping of scrap or dust should not be permitted. If sweeping is necessary, the scrap and possible dust will be wet down with a fine water spray prior to sweeping. Drop cloths will be placed under work tables or areas if scraps and dust will fall junto difficult to clean areas or crevices. (9) Asbestos cloth or tape will not be torn or ripped. Scissors or cutting knives will be used. (10) In-Shop operations for mixing of all cements will be r provided with permanent exhaust`ventilation equipment. This exhaust air : will not be vented into the shop atmosphere and must be adequately filtered before its release to the outside atmosphere. In-bag mixing ; may be done without exhaust ventilation so long as bag integrity is >'> maintained. Ui (11) The asbestos cloth shall be wet down prior to fabrication. | , r (12) All regularly assigned insulation workers and supervisors will be given a 14" x 17" annual chest X-ray. This will be done on the same continuing, periodic basis even if the worker is transferred or reassigned into another job title. X-ray films of asbestos workers, active, reassigned or retired, will be specially identified to .the con sulting radiologist to alert him to the need for a special type of reporting. The health records of insulation workers will be marked re "Asbestos worker". , . (13) Insulation workers should be provided with clean coveralls 's at the beginning of each shift or as often as needed. The coveralls will be removed before the removal of the respirator and should not be "beaten" to remove excess dusts or scrap adhering to it. Contaminated coveralls will be placed in plastic bags, until disposed of or laundered. .1 . 1 p (14) Materials will be removed from their cartons or package -'d < with care to reduce dust or -scrap generation. Wetting of the material prior to removal substantially reduces dust production. "6" " (15) The Industrial Hygienist will provide at least twice yearly r indoctrination talks to all asbestos workers on the proper measures of personal protection against asbestos exposure. t>- 3 . HAVSHIPS1N3T 5100.26 9 February 1971 Cl6) Adequate warning signs (enclosure (1) or similar) will be posted at all entrances ts the fabrication shop sites to alert workers and other personnel that asbestos operations arc in progress. (17) The Industrial Hygienist should make frequent inspection of the Fabrication and Installation sites to check the level of airborne contamination. These inspections should be done montiily or more often as rquirsd. The Threshold limit Value (TLV) for airborne asbestos is 5 fibers greater than 5 microns per milliliter. If this TLV is exceeded, the Industrial Hygienist will assist the shop foreman in designing better preventive measures to control the airborne contamination. Asbestos installation, fabrication or removal operations should be sus pended until the proper TLV can be maintained so as to protect the workers and others in the area. (18) Cement Lags will be opened wide to permit emptying of the contents without shaking. The material should be made into a slurry as quickly as possible to prevent dust generation. Empty bags will be wet down and placed in a waste container. (19) Suitable replacement materials for asbestos will be used when practicable. New or untested replacement materials will be sub mitted to KAV3EC for evaluation and approval prior to use. b. Installation: (1) Personnel engaged in Installation operations will wear Industrial Hygienist approved respirators whenever asbestos containing materials are being handled. The Medical Officer will be the approval authority for any exceptions. (2) Unpacking and application of insulation materials at the installation site will be done in such a manner that will minimize airborne dust. (3) The area around the installation procedures should be isolated when possible. Adequate warning signs (enclosure (1)) will be posted. Only persons whose work requires their presence should be per mitted in such areas. If airborne asbestos dust is present, they will wear Bureau of Mines approved respirators for dusts or leave the area. (A) The Industrial Hygienist will be requested to determine suitable methods for preventing large scale contamination of machinery and engine spades when installation or removal operations are performed in these areas. NAVSHIPSINST ^00.2( * 9 February 1971 (5) Suitable waste containers lined with disposable plastic bags will be Kept available at the installation site so that discarded or scrap insulation materials can be immediately placed in them. (6) The exact method and place of disposal of scrap asbestos and asbestos dust will be approved by the Industrial Hygienist or the Medical Officer. Personnel assigned these tasks will be specifically advised on needed precautions by the Industrial Hygienist or the shop supervisor. (7) The ventilation requirements of shipboard or confined spaces will be determined by the Industrial Hygienist or Safety Officer and will be in accord with Article 0212 10/+5-105A of reference (c). (8) Portable dust collectors/industrial-type vacuum cleaners should be placed in use at the point of operations within confined spaces when possible. (9) Decks and spaces contaminated by insulation debris will not' be dry swept. These areas must be vet down by a fine spray prior to sweeping (when vacuum cleaners cannot be used), (10) Workers performing insulation work should be provided with clean paper coveralls when dusty conditions are to be encountered. The coveralls will be removed before the respirator is removed. The coveralls should not be "beaten" to remove excess dusts or scraps ad hering to it. Contaminated coveralls will be disposed of by placement in the asbestos scrap bag. c. Removal (Rio-Out): (1) Personnel engaged in Removal operations will wear Bureau of Mines approved respirators whenever asbestos containing materials are being handled. The Medical Officer will be the approval authority for any exceptions. (2) The area around the Removal procedures should be isolated when possible. Adequate warning signs (enclosure (1)) will be posted. Only persons whose work requires their presence will be permitted in such areas. If airborne asbestos dust is present, they will wear Bureau of Mines approved respirators for irritant dusts or leave the area. (3) The Industrial Hygicnist/Medical Officer should designate specific procedures to collect scrap and dust in the machinery spaces. 5 NAVSHIF5IHST 5100.26 9 February 1971 - (A) The area(s) in which aohoctos removal takes place will be confined when possible by means of curtains, portable partitions, drop cloths, etc., to- prevent excessive contamination of other areas. (5) In removal operations that involve dusty work, clean paper coveralls will be supplied at the start of each shiftj then for lunch, the workers will dispose of the dirty coveralls, then dispose of their respirator filters. After lunch they will put on clean coveralls and respirators with new filters. At the end of the shift all contaminated coveralls will be disposed of by placement in the asbestos scrap bags. (6) Suitable waste containers lined with disposable plastic tags wi.ll be kept available at the removal site so that discarded or scrap insulation materials can be immediately placed in them. (7) The exact method and place and asbestos dust will be approved by the Officer. This is particularly applicable machinery spaces. of disposal of scrap asbestos Industrial Hygienist/Medical on-board ships and in (8) High asbestos-containing scrap material should be wet down before collection, hauling or dumping. Personnel assigned these tasks will be specifically advised on needed precautions by the Industrial Hygienist or the insulation shop supervisor. (9) The ventilation requirements of shipboard or confined spaces will be determined by the Industrial Hygienist or Safety Officer and will be in accord with articles 0212, 1045-105A of reference (c). (10) Portable dust collectors/industrial-type vacuum cleaners should be placed in use at the point of operations within confined spaces. They may be used to te/nporarily and partially clean a worker who has to leave the work area for a short time. (11) Decks and spaces contaminated by insulation debris should not bo dry swept. These areas must be wet down by a fine spray prior to sweeping (when vacuum cleaners cannot be used). (12) A cast cutter similar to the Number 8A5 STRYKER CUTTER will be used when possible during removal operations. This is a cutter used by doctors to remove plaster casts from patients. Old insulation should not be ripped or torn. It should bo cut whenever possible. The addition of a Vacuum attachment to the STRYKER CUTTER will materially aid in controlling dust generation. This attachment should be used whenever practicable. 6