Document xdQR8zZXBJeZwMRB6VeMQD1bE

National Safety Council Automotive, Tooling, Metalworking and Associated Industries Newsletter FEBRUARY 1980 Minimizing Asbestos Exposures and Hazards in the Workplace In the Federal Register of October 17, 1979, a notice appeared that the Consumer Product Safety Commis sion (CPSC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were pub lishing proposed rules regarding as bestos exposure in consumer pro ducts. Both these agencies have pre viously taken action to control human exposure to asbestos, but are still concerned about asbestos exposure from many separate sources. In industry, we must also be concerned about asbestos exposure. The following safety information data will hopefully serve as a reference for you to investigate potential sources of as bestos exposure in your facilities. The information that follows comes from the safety information sheet of a member company in the Automotive, Tooling and Metalwork ing Section. Definition The term "asbestos" applies to the minerals of chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Ninety percent of the as bestos used in industry is chrysotile. Hazard Asbestos is a known cancer-caus ing agent and can cause other related diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma of the pleura or peritoneum and gastrointestinal dis ease. Smoking significantly increases the risk, although not every person exposed to asbestos will develop cancer. Allowable Concentrations Asbestos is measured in fibers greater than five microns in length per cubic centimeter of air. The current OSHA allowable concentration in effect since July, 1972 is two fibers longer than five micrometers per cubic centimeter of air over an eighthour time weighted average. The ceil ing concentration is ten fibers longer than five micrometers per cubic cen timeter of air; however a lower level has been proposed, but not yet pro mulgated. Procurement The inhalation of asbestos-con taining materials is potentially haz ardous. Therefore, asbestos-contain ing materials should be replaced with substitute material whenever possi ble. If substitution is impossible, then engineering or administrative controls shall be attempted or personal pro tective equipment shall be used. Certain products used in injustry contain asbestos. Some of those listed in the Federal Register are; acoustical ceiling tile, roofing, piper and boiler coverings, insulation materials, electric switch boxes, gasket or seal materials, oven or kiln linings, some types of electrical wir ing, flame resistant clothing, ad hesives, caulks, certain cements and patching compounds, clutch plates, brake linings and radiator sealant. Storing and Handling Asbestos-containing materials shall be stored in areas designated and identified for these materials only. Such materials shall be stored in closed containers or otherwise packaged in such a way to prevent generation of asbestos fibers. Asbestos-containing materials shall be transported in the least hazardous manner feasible, meaning sealed, totoally packaged, labeled, covered, and so on. Using Asbestos Prior to starting any job in which asbestos-containing materials are to be used or handled, either for produc tion or maintenance, the safety department should be notified. These also include any jobs that are sub contracted. The safety department, in turn, must: 1. Provide personnel monitoring as needed; 2. Determine engineering needs or personnel protective equipment as needed; 3. Assure that personnel are informed and properly trained; 4. Recommend appropriate con trol measures; 5. Assure that the appropriate control measures are followed; 6. See that compressed air or gases are not used for cleanup; 7. Assure that all asbestos-con taining materials, including wastes, are labeled, treated and properly dis posed of in impermeable containers; 8. Assure that proper signage, barriers and barricades are posted at Continues on next pege 899Q 9008 HFM - 004485 444 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611 312-527-4800 AT.. ATM SCF-ALLF-08020