Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Chemical & Biological Safety Section
ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
University Asbestos Operations
and Maintenance Plan
Appendices:
| Section 1. Scope and Application |
The purpose of this Asbestos O & M Plan is to standardize methods of asbestos-containing material (ACM) management throughout all university buildings through the following procedures:
Application:
Order of Precedence
The order of precedence of this program shall be:
University Population
This program applies to all employees of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Medical College of Virginia Hospitals (MCVH). Contracted employees are also required to comply fully with the conditions of this program and all other applicable federal, state and local regulations.
University Properties
This program applies to all VCU/MCVH-owned properties.
| Section 2. Campus Responsibilities |
The responsibilities defined below are required in order to implement an effective campus asbestos management program which provides for a safe environment for building occupants, identifies unsafe asbestos conditions, provides training and protection to employees working with asbestos, and effectively administers contracts to remove friable asbestos that presents a risk to building occupants.
2.1 Senior Safety Engineer/Asbestos Program Manager (OEHS)
| A. | Coordinate and provide Level 1 O & M asbestos training for university personnel. |
| B. | Interface with VCU Facilities Management, Architectural Services, Physical Plant and other key university entities on asbestos abatement projects. |
| C. | Maintain and update Campus Asbestos Management Plan. |
| D. | Track regulatory and technical issues relating to asbestos. |
| E. | Assist Asbestos Inspector in routine asbestos management program operations. |
2.2 Asbestos Inspector (OEHS)
| A. | Maintain records (database) of locations of asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM). |
| B. | Conduct periodic asbestos inspections including collection of bulk samples for analysis |
| C. | Assist in providing asbestos training to campus employees. |
| D. | Perform wide array of air sampling for quantification of asbestos fiber count. |
| E. | Review periodic asbestos inspection records for completeness. |
| F. | Interface with regulatory agencies on matters relating to asbestos. |
| G. | Review all contractor submittal documents. |
| H. | Track regulatory and technical issues relating to asbestos. |
| I. | Provide quality control on all abatement projects to ensure safety of university personnel. |
| J. | Perform project monitoring services (as needed). |
| K. | Prepare asbestos removal designs (as needed). |
| L. | Assist in conducting periodic reinspections in relation to Management Plan. |
2.3 Other OEHS Staff
| A. | Coordinate and provide initial employee asbestos orientation training (Training Coordinator). |
| B. | Provide assistance on routine asbestos program management activities. |
2.4 Physical Plant/Facilities Management
| A. | Administer campus contracts for asbestos abatement. |
| B. | Perform small scale (Class III) operations and maintenance work involving asbestos (VCU Asbestos Abatement Team). |
| C. | Assist Asbestos Inspector in performing periodic O & M inspections (Steam Tunnels, Sanger Mech. Rms). |
| D. | Provide emergency respond to small spills involving ACM. |
| E. | Coordinate and maintain training and medical records for VCU Asbestos Abatement Team members. |
| F. | Assist (as needed) Asbestos Inspector on abatement projects requiring project/air monitoring services. |
2.5 University and Hospital Staff
| A. | Report suspected asbestos exposure threats to supervisors and OEHS immediately. |
| B. | Participate in appropriate level of awareness training for employment position. |
| C. | Follow the standard operating procedures established within this management plan. |
| Section 3. Building Inspection Requirements |
3.1 Building Inspection Program Overview
Asbestos Containing Building Materials (ACBM) are prevalent throughout
both VCU campuses. Commonly, ACBM may be found in fireproofing, acoustical
and decorative ceiling and wall plasters, thermal pipe, tank insulation
and other mechanical insulation materials. ACBM may also found in such
materials as plaster walls, ceiling and floor tiles, glues and mastics,
roof felts, insulating chemical hoods, lab tops, oven gaskets, and many
other items. Because of the significant amount of asbestos (both friable
and non-friable) within VCU buildings, it is imperative that a well documented
program for identifying ACBM, notifying building occupants of its presence
and location, and developing procedures to minimize disturbance of asbestos
and possible exposure be implemented.
This section describes the VCU program for identifying and characterizing
the condition of asbestos in buildings.
System-wide Surveys for friable ACBM
1. History
2. Resurvey
3. Procedures
4. Schedule
Campus Survey and Inspection Program
1. Periodic surveillance of friable ACBM
2. Identification of Non-Friable ACBM
A. Survey
B. Periodic Sampling and Analysis
3. Bulk Material Sampling and Analysis
A. Sampling
B. Quality Control
C. Documentation
4. Pre-Demolition and Renovation Inspections
Operations and Maintenance Program
1. Periodic Visual Inspection
2. Periodic Air Monitoring
3. Active Repair and Cleanup Activities
VCU Asbestos Program Database
1. Information available
2. Accessing the data
3.2 System-Wide Survey
3.2.1. History
To date, a single university-wide asbestos survey has been conducted
at VCU. Hall-Kimbrell Inc. performed this inspection in 1987, 1988.
The Hall-Kimbrell survey is too voluminous to be included within this document.
Copies of the Hall-Kimbrell survey are, however, may be viewed, upon request,
within the Environmental Health & Safety Office - Chemical/Biological
Safety Office. The scope of the Hall-Kimbrell survey was as follows:
a. Locate all suspected
friable asbestos containing materials (ACBM).
b. Sample all suspected
materials and analyze them using Phase Light Microscopy (PLM).
c. Characterize the condition
of the asbestos based upon a modified EPA algorithm developed by the consultants.
d. Assign a hazard ranking
category and number to each sample location that tested positive for asbestos.
e. Develop abatement cost
estimates for all asbestos locations.
3.3 Campus Survey and Inspection Program
3.3.1. Periodic Surveillance of Friable ACBM
In order to prevent exposure of building occupants to asbestos fibers,
periodic surveillance of known locations of friable ACBM is performed.
Periodic surveillance allows for an evaluation of the condition of the
asbestos to determine if deterioration has occurred. If deterioration has
occurred which increases the potential for exposure of building occupants
to asbestos, the following steps shall be taken by OEHS:
a. Contact/notify the impacted
departmental supervisor(s), and VCU(Physical Plant) maintenance zone manager
and inform of the situation.
b. Conduct air monitoring
to determine degree of exposure hazard posed to university staff
c. Recommend response actions
for protecting university staff from potential asbestos hazards and for
restoring a safe working environment.
d. Physical Plant will either
address the hazard with in-house resources (VCU Asbestos Abatement Team)
or arrange with an asbestos consulting firm to meet with a campus representative
to conduct required abatement actions.
3.3.2. Identification of Non-Friable ACBM
The Hall-Kimbrell system-wide asbestos survey did not address non-friable
ACBM such as plaster walls, vinyl asbestos floor tiles, ceiling tiles,
and roofing felts. Because of the potential for employee exposure to asbestos
fibers when these materials are disturbed (e.g. penetrating walls, removing
floor and ceiling tiles). The university should develop a program which
ensures that all suspect material (friable and nonfriable) are addressed
prior to engaging in potential disturbance generating construction or maintenance
activities. The campus should adopt one of the following two approaches:
A. Survey
The most proactive approach to identifying all non-friable ACBM on
campus is to survey all suspected building materials. The survey should
consist of the following steps:
1. Identifying all building materials suspected
of containing asbestos (plaster walls, floor tiles, etc.).
2. Obtain bulk samples of all homogeneous materials
that are suspected on containing asbestos.
3. Analyze the bulk samples using the Environmental
Protection Agency's method of Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM).
4. Document the results of the survey.
The survey would follow the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) guidelines and protocols for surveying, sampling, and analysis. A copy of the AHERA regulations is provided in Appendix C. The documented survey report would identify all sample locations on building floor plans, identify whether the material contains asbestos or not, and if it does contain asbestos, identify the type and percent of asbestos. Consolidation of the non-friable asbestos data with the existing friable asbestos data in a data management system is recommended. To date the funding and resources required for completing such a comprehensive survey have not been available.
B. Periodic Sampling and Analysis
In lieu of a comprehensive survey of non-friable asbestos containing
building materials, VCU has implemented a program with requires a complete
asbestos inspection of all areas prior to conducting any construction activities
(includes all renovation or demolition projects) or maintenance work which
would potentially disturb asbestos-containing materials. The following
procedures shall be followed to achieve this objective:
| 1. | Maintain all data from previous asbestos inspections in database. When a work order is generated, the database shall be reviewed to determine if a thorough asbestos inspection has been conducted within the affected area. |
| 2. | If a complete inspection is on file, the following approaches shall
be taken:
|
| 3. | If incomplete data exists for the affected area, OEHS shall require that a complete asbestos inspection be conducted (either in-house or through licensed outside consultant) prior to beginning construction. |
| 4. | The asbestos database shall be updated with the information from all asbestos inspections. |
3.3.3. Bulk Material Sampling and Analysis
3.3.3(A). Sampling
All sampling of asbestos containing building materials should comply
with Title 40, Part 763 of the Code of Federal Regulations and/or the publication
EPA 560/5-85-030a, Asbestos in Buildings, Simplified Sampling Scheme
for Friable Surfacing Materials.
Asbestos-containing material should never be sampled dry. A surfactant
or water should always be applied to the sample area first. The following
steps should be followed when sampling bulk material.
| 1. | Secure the immediate area so that building occupants are not present. | ||||
| 2. | Wear a respirator (minimum of negative pressure, half mask) prior to taking sample. | ||||
| 3. | Touch the sample area to determine friability of materials to be sampled. | ||||
| 4. | Wet the surface of the sample area with a surfactant (typically 50% polyethylene-glycol) or water. | ||||
| 5. | Penetrate the suspected material completely with a sharp object such as a blade or core tube and remove a small section of the material. If the material being sampled is non-homogeneous, a sample should be obtained from each non-homogeneous area for characterization of that area. If the material being sampled is layered, all layers should be sampled and the chain of custody form should specify,"analyze all layers." | ||||
| 6. | Place the sample in a 6 mil thick, "ziplock" style sample bag, and seal it. | ||||
| 7. | Patch or repair the material where the sample was removed. | ||||
| 8. | Label the bag and record the following information:
a. Sample number b. Date of sample c. Time of sample d. Building number e. Room number f. Location in room g. Material sampled h. Inspector i. Sample results (to be filled in after analysis) |
||||
| 9. | The sample should be sent to an approved laboratory for analysis | ||||
| 10. | Depending upon the quantification limit needed, the sample should be
analyzed by either of these two methods:
|
3.3.4(B) Clearance Air Sampling
After completion of an asbestos abatement action, except for glove
bag, small scale-short duration, and other minimum impact maintenance activities,
area clearance samples shall be obtained prior to release of the area for
re-use. All clearance sampling and analysis shall use methods described
in publication EPA 600/4-85-049,
Measuring Airborne Asbestos Following An Abatement Action. Phase
Contrast Microscopy (PCM) may be used for analysis of clearance air samples,
unless it is determined by the Environmental Health & Safety Office
that more stringent criteria (TEM) is necessary for a particular
clearance. Areas determined to fall under AHERA criteria shall be
cleared per AHERA testing requirements. Failure of a clearance sample
analyzed by PCM may require subsequent clearance sampling via Transmission
Electron Microscopy (TEM).
3.3.5(C). Quality Control (QC)
If more than one or two samples are being analyzed for the presence
of asbestos, quality control measures should be instituted to ensure the
validity of the results. The following guidelines should be used:
1. Collect at least 1 QC sample per building or 1 QC sample per 20
samples, whichever is larger. A QC sample is taken from the area abutting
a regular sample. The QC sample should be analyzed at a second laboratory
to confirm the results of the primary laboratory.
3.3.6(D). Documentation
1. The information presented under 1.g. of
this section shall be obtained on all samples and blanks:
2. All air monitoring records shall be
compiled within the Environmental Health & Safety Office asbestos database
and maintained on file indefinitely,
3. The results of positive tests should be
incorporated into the campus database on locations of ACBM. This information
must be provided to all employees in writing within fifteen (15) days of
knowledge of the presence of asbestos, unless ACBM had previously been
identified in similar building materials in that general area and employees
had previously been notified.
3.3.7 Pre-Demolition and Renovation Inspections
Requirements: Prior to any demolition or renovation of campus facilities,
as defined in 40 CFR 61.141, the affected facility must be surveyed by
an accredited building inspector. If any asbestos containing materials
are identified in the facility during this inspection, the Office of Environmental
Health & Safety shall be consulted to ensure that a proper course
of action (including removal strategies, work practices, engineering controls,
and notification) is followed per state and federal regulations, and
the University Asbestos Removal Guidelines (appendix 4).
3.4 Operations & Maintenance Program
3.4.1 Periodic air monitoring
OEHS performs periodic air monitoring simultaneously with visual inspections
of three (3) university facilities which contain significant amounts of
friable asbestos-containing materials. The three structures
(West Hospital, A.D. Williams Clinic and the Lyons Dental Building contain
extensive amounts of friable spray-applied asbestos-containing fire proofing
materials. Although all of the asbestos-containing fireproofing materials
are located behind physical barriers (i.e. suspended ceilings, plaster/
masonry /block walls, steel access panels) the sampling is conducted to
ensure that the enclosures are effectively preventing migration of asbestos
fibers into occupied building areas. Sample analysis is conducted
by Phase Contrast Microscopy (PLM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy
(TEM). The sample results are carefully reviewed by OEHS and maintained
in the VCU Asbestos Database (a copy of the most recent round of O &
M air monitoring and surveillance data has been included within Appendix
B)
3.4.2 O & M Repair and Cleanup Activities
OEHS works in conjunction with Physical Plant (VCU Asbestos Abatement
Team) on the following O & M efforts:
| A. | University O & M Program; The Abatement Team performs frequent small scale-short duration repair and removal operations serving to reduce potential exposure to university staff. |
| B. | Emergency Cleanup Response; the Abatement Team can provide rapid response to minor asbestos emergencies reducing disruption of university operations. |
| C. | Intensive O & M Services; the Abatement Team conducts comprehensive repair and cleanup operations within several areas of the university which contain large amounts of ACM which is subject to frequent disturbance. These high maintenance areas include the extensive university steam tunnel system, the Sanger Hall B3 Mechanical Room and the Sanger Hall 10th Floor Mechanical Room. |
3.5 VCU Asbestos Program Database
3.5.1 Database Content. OEHS maintains an extensive database
which includes all information from university asbestos related activities
since approximately 1987. Historic information compiled in the database
includes:
A. Data from past asbestos inspections;
B. Air sampling data and project monitoring
notes from past asbestos abatement projects;
C. OEHS-created asbestos removal design and/or
scope of work documents;
D. Reports from past incidents involving asbestos-containing
materials;
E. Air monitoring and surveillance data from
past and ongoing O & M programs.
3.5.2 Database Access. A summary of current asbestos conditions
within university buildings per the information compiled within the database
is provided within Appendix B (this section
is currently under construction, completion of structures with the greatest
perceived asbestos hazards will be prioritized). Access to the complete
database may be arranged through contacting OEHS at 828-4404.
| Section 4. Notification |
Notification of asbestos activities must be provided to OEHS whenever:
Full Notification Requirement Overview
4.1 Overview
State law requires notification to each employee working within buildings
that contain asbestos. Although state law requires only a general degree
of asbestos notification to employees, it is prudent practice on behalf
of the VCU to provide as much information to building occupants as possible
on the locations of asbestos, health risks associated with asbestos, and
possible exposure. Discussed below are the university requirements for
employee notification of known location and associated potential health
hazards, and a description of other informative resources provided to university
staff.
4.2 Employee Notifications
The Virginia General Assembly has mandated that all state institutions
develop management plans (to be modeled after AHERA mandated management
plans) for all buildings. In accordance with AHERA criteria, a properly
developed and implemented management plan requires building owners to provide
and maintain a written document which informs employees of the known presence
of asbestos in campus buildings. This document must include locations of
ACBM, information of the health risks associated with asbestos, procedures
to prevent disturbance of ACBM and exposure, and locations where employees
can access additional information on any surveys, bulk sampling, and air
monitoring results performed in any of the buildings.
A hard copy of the university management plan will be available for
employee review within the Office of Environmental Health & Safety
- Chemical/Biological Safety Office. A copy of the general text of the
management plan will also be made available to employees through the OEHS
web resource page. In addition to the information provided within
the management plan, employees may view any of the files within the university
asbestos database upon request.
In addition to the on-line university management plan, OEHS also maintains
an annually updated web page which details elements of the university Asbestos
Management Program. Employees are encouraged to visit this web site
for detailed and up to date information regarding safe management of asbestos
within university work places and other pertinent asbestos-related topics.
In addition to the documentation and notification requirements discussed
above, OEHS posts signage at the entrances to any work areas which are
perceived to have the potential for presenting asbestos-related health
threats to university personnel. Access to all areas which are known to
present immediate asbestos related health threats to staff is restricted
to properly trained and protected personnel. OEHS routinely
applies warning labels on thermal and mechanical insulations which are
confirmed to be asbestos containing, to avoid inadvertent disturbance and
potential fiber release. OEHS also ensures that proper warning signage
(per state and federal regulations) is posted (by abatement contractors)
within areas undergoing active asbestos abatement.
| Section 5. Asbestos Emergency Procedures |
5.1 PROCEDURES FOR ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION
The following safety precautions should be followed when any suspicious
loose friable (readily crumbled) material is seen (especially if your work
area has incurred any damage involving loose dust and debris of unknown
materials), or if you are engaged in any operation(s) which may cause fibers
to be released into the air:
5.1.1 DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE MATERIAL UP YOURSELF - OR MAKE CONTACT
WITH THE MATERIAL IN ANY WAY.
5.1.2 Employees or individuals who observe suspicious material should
immediately notify their supervisor of the location(s) and nature of the
problem.
5.1.3 If the supervisor has received previous written verification
from OEHS that the material involved is not ACM repair and cleanup may
be undertaken without notification to OEHS.
5.1.4 If the supervisor has any doubts about the asbestos status of
any damaged materials OEHS should be contacted immediately at 828-4404.
If there is no response at this extension use the chemical emergency line
at 828-9834 and request that appropriate personnel be contacted via pager.
5.1.5 If the contents of the material are in doubt, OEHS will review
file information to determine if the material was addressed during previous
testing events. If sufficient file information does not exist OEHS
will conduct testing of the material according to Section 3 of this Asbestos
Management Plan prior to any repair or cleanup taking place. If an emergency
repair operation must be conducted, treat all suspect material as
asbestos.
| Section 6. Asbestos Abatement Requirements/Procedures |
The following section is a summarized version of asbestos abatement
requirements under University Guidelines. For a description
of the full criteria of the University Guidelines refer to the model university
asbestos abatement specifications provided in Appendix D.
All construction projects proposed within university and hospital buildings
should include OEHS during the planning and engineering design stage.
Early involvement of OEHS may result in a timelier and more cost effective
completion of the projects as unexpected asbestos delays and health threats
are avoided. OEHS must be contacted at least 48 hours prior to
proceeding with any construction project(s) which involves the disturbance
or potential for the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials.
If OEHS is not satisfied with the asbestos exposure control (or other safety
issues) proposed for the planned construction activities work will be stopped
until acceptable changes are made.
If the results of the OEHS review and/or inspection reveal acceptable
conditions but the potential for disturbing the asbestos exists, any VCU
staff member would be required to receive asbestos training (per Section
8) prior to conducting the task; and would also have to don proper personal
protective equipment (including a suitable respiratory protection device)
while performing the work activity (per Section 8). If the air monitoring
or inspection results indicate an unsafe environment, and the work must
be performed, one of the following shall take place; (1) contract with
a qualified asbestos abatement contractor to accomplish the work or (2)
perform the work with qualified, trained in-house personnel (VCU Asbestos
Abatement Team). The following section details requirements for conducting
asbestos abatement activities within VCU/MCVH buildings.
Notification Requirements
VCU/MCVH:
As detailed in Section 4 of this document: any proposed cleanup, repair,
removal or other abatement activity involving asbestos-containing materials
or suspect asbestos-containing materials must be coordinated with the Sr.
Safety Engineer (OEHS) and/or the Asbestos Inspector (OEHS)
prior to proceeding.
Regulatory Agencies:
In the event that the renovation/demolition of a facility will disturb
over 260 linear feet,160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos
containing material (RACM), as defined in 40 CFR 61.141, the notification
described below must take place at least 20 working days before the disturbance
of RACM will begin. A running log of work activity involving RACM shall
be maintained for all construction projects, and if the cumulative total
or materials disturbed over the course of a year approach the limits stated
above (260 square feet, 160 linear feet, or 35 cubic feet), then notifications
must be made. In addition, all demolitions of facilities, as defined in
29 CFR 1926.58, must involve a notification at least 10 working days prior
to beginning the demolition. Notification forms must be sent to the
following agencies:
| 1. | Enough disposable tyvek coveralls and hoods to ensure that each person involved can change into a fresh suit prior to starting the job, after lunch, and after breaks. |
| 2. | One full-face NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator with asbestos filters for each person who will be involved in the job. |
| 3. | Unvented goggles (in lieu of full-face respirator) to protect the eyes from any falling debris or insulating material. |
| 4. | Duct tape (2" wide) to seal around the collar sleeves. |
| 5. | Enough 6-mil thickness plastic sheeting to insure that the work area is COMPLETELY SEALED AND ISOLATED from other areas. |
| 6. | Duct tape (2" wide) to seal around the visqueen plastic sheeting. |
| 7. | Flashlight to examine the ceiling area for damaged or deteriorating insulating material. |
| 8. | A High Efficiency Purified Air (HEPA) vacuum cleaner and attachments to clean up any insulating material which may be dislodged. |
| 9. | Enough warning signs to alert and inform anyone who approached the work area. |
| 10. | 6-mil, labeled, plastic bags for collection and proper disposal of protective clothing. (These are special bags; trash bags cannot be used.) |
Containment Construction Procedures
COMPLETELY SEAL AND ISOLATE the work area or room with polyethylene
sheeting and duct tape with only a single slit for entering and exiting
and set up the work area as follows:
| 1. | Place the HEPA vacuum, plastic disposal bags, and all tools inside the work area. |
| 2. | Keep all other protective clothing out of the work area. |
| 3. | Post warning signs to alert and inform anyone who approaches the work area. |
| 4. | Remove any furniture and/or objects that contaminated dust could accumulate upon. If removal is impossible, the objects must be completely sealed; this would include the floor if it is carpeted. |
Under the guidance of the designated contractor/supervisor for the job, don all protective clothing and air monitoring equipment. There should be one air monitoring pump for each worker and at least one pump for the work area (more if the work area is large).
Work Methods
Refer to Appendix D: Model Specifications Package.
Asbestos Containment Inspections
The following inspections shall be conducted by the university designated
Project Monitor
GLOVE BAG (NEGATIVE PRESSURE) REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS PIPE LAGGING
ABATEMENT PROCEDURES
Requirements:
| 1. | Only bags commercially manufactured for the specific purpose of glove bag removal of asbestos containing material shall be used. All bags shall be at minimum six (6) mil clear Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) or polyethylene. All bags shall be appropriately sized for the task to be accomplished. |
| 2. | Glove bags shall only be used on pipes that have a temperature below the maximum allowable temperature specified by the glove bag manufacturer. |
| 3. | The following precautions should be taken when performing glove bag
removal of asbestos pipe insulation.:
- isolate and seal all return air vents, ducts, etc., close all doors to work area building except for door housing HEPA exhaust unit (if used). - protect immediate area by covering floor and nearby equipment with layer of polyethylene. - temporarily wrap damaged asbestos insulation adjacent to the work location with plastic and tape to prevent damage or disturbance during removal. - have HEPA exhaust unit available to filter air if there was a breech of glove bag seal. - provide a trained, two person crew to remove asbestos insulation. One person will serve the role of ensuring that the glove bag is secured to the pipe and no breeching of the bag occurs. - label all entrances to work area with warning signs alerting unauthorized personnel from entering work area. |
Preparation
| 1. | Place necessary tools in bag. Wrap glove bag around pipe, seal with staples and tape leaving enough sealed space above pipe to allow easy access. Secure bag to pipe to support weight of stripped insulation and water. |
| 2. | Insert HEPA vacuum nozzle and flexible tubing of wetting agent sprayer into hole location provided and seal airtight with duct tape. |
| 3. | Perform a smoke test by injecting smoke into glove bag via a small hole and slowly squeeze bag. Repair any leaks or holes. |
Removal Procedure
| 1. | Thoroughly wet insulation, then cut insulation sharply for neat sealing of exposed insulation. Leave a minimum margin of safety of five (5) inches at both ends of bag seal. |
| 2. | Use HEPA vacuum throughout removal procedures (including fine cleaning and encapsulation actions) to maintain negative pressure within the glove bag. |
Removal Procedure -Fine cleaning
| 1. | After gross removal, use brush to remove small amounts of asbestos that may remain on pipe and then wipe down pipe with wet cloth. |
| 2. | After removing all asbestos from pipe, saturate all material in glovebag and ensure that all material is below the level where the glovebag will be sealed. |
Post Abatement
| 1. | All tools shall be gathered in hands and then the gloves pulled inside out. Seal the area with six (6) inch tape and cut through the middle of the tape. Bend and retape the ends. Save the bagged tools for the next bag operation or clean by placing in a pail of water. |
| 2. | Collapse the bag with the HEPA vacuum still in operation, seal the bag just above the glove level. Remove nozzle and tubing and place a six (6) mil polyethylene over the glove bag and carefully remove the glove bag from the pipe and immediately seal the glove bag in the waste bag. A final inspection of the pipe shall be conducted by take place before any repairs or maintenance is performed. |
| 3. | If no additional removal is required, the glove-enclosed tools shall be immersed in a pail of water, opened and cleaned. All water, rags, and debris shall be disposed of as hazardous waste. |
| Section 7. Special Asbestos Hazard Areas |
Overview:
While the locations and varieties of asbestos-containing materials
are widespread throughout both campuses of the university, the list of
buildings with areas containing the greatest potential for significant
health threats can be narrowed down to three (3) university structures
which are located on the medical campus:
| Section 8. Medical Surveillance |
Overview:
OEHS policy and the University Asbestos Guidelines require that all
individuals (both in-house and contracted) be included within a comprehensive
occupational health surveillance program in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.1101
and 29 CFR 1910.1001.
Substances: Protocol applies to exposures of all of the different
forms of asbestos to include tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite.
Frequency: An examination must be given at the time of hire
if the potential work exposure will potentially be at or above the permissible
exposure limit (PEL) of 0.1 fibers/cc of air. The examination will be repeated
annually thereafter and upon termination. The same requirements hold for
employees assigned to wear respiratory protection. This includes positive
pressure respirators.
Medical History: Completion of a medical history questionnaire
"Initial Medical Questionnaire" or "Periodic Medical Questionnaire" per
all applicable federal regulations, with specific emphasis on eliciting
symptomology of the upper and lower respiratory or the gastrointestinal
system for disease.
Occupational History: Detailed work history to include past
employment exposures.
Physical Examinations: Standard comprehensive medical examination.
Laboratory Procedures: Radiology
Chest radiography, a (14" x 17") posterior-anterior chest x-ray, right
and left anterior oblique views to be interpreted by a "B" reader* and
given the ILO rating.**
Chest radiology is to be repeated as follows:
| Years Since First Exposure | Age of Employee | |
| . | 15 - 39 | 40+ |
| 1-10 | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| 10 + | Every 1 year | Every 1 year |
Pulmonary Function Test
Must include forced vital capacity (FVC) and a forced expiratory volume
at one second (FEV), and be performed by a certified pulmonary function
technician.
Gastrointestinal Examination
For employees 40 years of age or older or with 10 years or more since
the initial occupational exposure to asbestos, a rectal examination and
stool guaiac test for occult blood shall be performed annually.
Education
The worker should be informed regarding the nature of asbestos-related
diseases and the rationale for the medical surveillance program.
* A radiologist or other medical specialist in the interpretation of
chest radiographs for pneumoconiosis, and who has been certified by examination.
** The classification scheme for the pneumoconiosis - International
Labor Office/Cincinnati (ILO U/C)
MEDICAL INFORMATION ON ASBESTOS:
| a. | Asbestos exposure causes many serious health problems. This is based on well-documented research on human exposures to asbestos. |
| b. | Epidemiological studies have been based on various industrial exposures, primarily insulation workers. |
| c. | People, whose only contact with the material was that they lived in the same house as asbestos workers, were found to be dying of mesothelioma. |
| d. | No one really knows for sure how hazardous low levels of asbestos in the air are. |
| e. | Asbestos removal is a complicated task that, if done improperly, can leave higher asbestos air levels in the buildings than existed before the work started. |
| f. | National Research Council Committee on Non-occupational Exposure to Asbestiform Fibers concluded that breathing the asbestos that is present in ambient air may be hazardous and that some deaths from cancer probably will result. |
| g. | Before the mid 1970's, asbestos was widely used in the construction of public buildings. According to the American Federation of Government Employees, 16% of federally owned or leased buildings contain some application of asbestos, and 25% of federal buildings contained asbestos in pipe and boiler insulation. |
| h. | The health risks of breathing high amounts of asbestos fibers are clear. What is less certain is the relationship between the quantity of fibers inhaled and the frequency, and likelihood, of disease developing. |
| i. | There is no evidence in occupational studies to show there is a threshold level below which there are no adverse effects to breathing asbestos. |
| j. | The shape of the dose-response curve at low exposure to asbestos is not known and the curve must be extrapolated from high occupational exposures. The NRC assumed the response was linear. This is a conservative assumption that tends to over estimate the incidence of cancer for those having low exposure. Basically, they are saying that any exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing cancer. |
| k. | The type of asbestos has little bearing on the risk. There is some evidence that chrysotile asbestos (the type most commonly used in the U.S.) causes fewer deaths from mesothelioma than other asbestos types. However, all types of asbestos cause lung cancer, the most common type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure. |
| l. | NRC has developed risk factors for lifetime exposure to ambient urban air and school rooms with asbestos surfaces. One can use these estimates and extrapolate the risk for occupational exposures. |
| m. | Canadian reports state that asbestos in the air of buildings will almost never pose a health hazard to the building's occupants unless elevated exposure is caused by disturbing the asbestos. |
| n. | Factors which influence asbestos fiber release are: its condition (friability), location, exposed surface area, and asbestos content. |
For more information on asbestos, contact OEHS at 828-4404 or visit
the OEHS web page through the resource section of the VCU Home Page.
| Section 9. Training Requirements |
SECTION 6 - VCU/MCVH EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAM
Overview
The employer must develop a training program for all employees that
engage in asbestos related work, are exposed to asbestos, or reasonably
expected to be exposed to asbestos at or above the PEL. The PEL is currently
defined by OSHA as 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air as an eight hour
time weighted average. VCU takes a very conservative approach in
the determination of which employees can be reasonably expected to
be exposed to the PEL. Indeed, all VCU employees receive at
least some degree of asbestos training during their employment with the
university. Depending on job description and the related potential
for asbestos exposure employees may be required to receive up to three
different levels of asbestos training. These training levels include:
| 1. | Employees participating in asbestos abatement activities. This would include members of the VCU Asbestos Abatement Team, contracted asbestos removal employees, OEHS asbestos management staff and employees of outside consulting firms. Employees participating in asbestos abatement activities shall be trained in accordance with 29 CFR 1926, 29 CFR 1910, Virginia state requirements, and as outlined in the EPA "Green Book" (Building Owners Guide to Operations and Maintenance Programs for Asbestos-Containing Materials). Training elements include elements of Level 2 O & M Training and Level 3 abatement worker training (as specified in the "Green Book") and also require earning and maintaining EPA certification and appropriate Virginia state asbestos licensure. |
| 2. | Employees who routinely work in the proximity of asbestos-containing materials with low risk of exposure at or above the PEL. Includes primarily staff members of the VCU Physical Plant, VCU Computer Information Systems and MCVH Engineering Services who may perform maintenance activities within asbestos controlled areas. Training includes an initial 2 hour asbestos awareness course plus annual 2 hour refresher courses thereafter. Elements of this course correspond to the recommendations for Level 1 Awareness Training outlined in the EPA "Green Book". |
| 3. | General staff with low risk of significant asbestos exposure. The great majority of university employees are not involved in activities which pose the potential for disturbance of asbestos-containing materials and related health threats. These employees receive a one-time brief asbestos awareness session during initial orientation training. |
Appendix M provides the specific training requirements for each of the
above-listed three (3) categories. A copy of the handout used during
the Level 1 O & M training course has also been included.
Each employee receiving training required under Appendix F shall be
provided with written certification by the employer that he or she has
been trained in accordance with requirements stated in Appendix F.
The record of employee certification shall include the certified employees
name, job title, date(s) of required training, instructor(s), and the course
outline(s) used to meet the requirements specified in Appendix F. The record
of certification shall be valid for one year from the date of initiation.
Training Based Upon Job Description
Personnel training requirements are based upon specific activities
which are conducted by employees performing duties which are part of the
Campus Asbestos Management Program. Listed in Section I of the Asbestos
Management Plan are specific responsibilities which are to be performed
at administrative, management, and technician levels. Training courses
are available for individuals performing at all levels. An outline of the
course contents is provided in Appendix G.
Respirator Maintenance Program Training
The use of any respiratory equipment for any occupational task (protection
against asbestos fibers, chemical fumes, biological aerosols etc.) by university
staff must be preapproved by OEHS. Employee approved for respirator
usage shall be instructed and trained in the need, use, sanitary care,
and limitations of such respiratory equipment that any employee may have
the occasion to use. The use of a respirator shall also be contingent upon
the passing of a medical evaluation to be performed by a health care professional.
University personnel who are considering the use of respiratory equipment
should contact OEHS at 828-1392.
Respirators shall be inspected before each use and shall not be worn
when conditions prevent a good gas-tight face seal (e.g. facial hair).
Every respirator wearer shall be instructed in how to properly fit and
test respiratory equipment and how to check the facepiece fit. Each employee
shall be provided the opportunity to wear respiratory equipment in normal
air for an adequate familiarity period, and to wear it in a test atmosphere
(such as generated by smoke tubes or isoamyl acetate) prior to entering
a controlled work place where asbestos fibers may be present.
Contained in Appendix H is a respiratory protection manual developed
by VCU. This manual discusses maintenance and care of respiratory equipment,
fit testing, and provides a listing of respiratory equipment.
The most common respirators used for asbestos work are listed below
as well as their advantages and limitations. Only those respirators and
equipment approved for asbestos use by the Mining Enforcement Safety &
Health Administration (MSHA) or the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) may be used on university property.
Half-mask Respirator: The half-mask respirator consists of a
neoprene rubber face shield which covers the nose and mouth. Air is filtered
through two High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cartridges which trap
asbestos fibers preventing asbestos entry to the respiratory system. This
mask requires a tight seal to the face to prevent air from entering between
the face and mask. Eye protection is not included with this mask, making
the use of safety glasses or goggles mandatory.
Full Face Respirator: Same as above except comes equipped with
an integral full face shield to protect the eyes of the wearer.
Powered Air Purifying Respirator: This respirator (PAPR) is
designed with a full face mask utilizing a separate air filter chamber
which is connected to the mask by a flexible tube. Rechargeable batteries
are used to power a motor which pulls ambient air through a HEPA filter
and delivers it under positive pressure to the face mask. The advantage
of this respirator is that a positive seal to the face is less critical
as air is provided to the face mask under slight pressure.
Supplied Air Respirator(SAR): This respirator is similar to
the powered air respirator except that it provides a portable compressed
air cylinder (self contained breathing apparatus or "SCBA") or air
pump/air line(Type "C" system) to supply air to the mask under positive
pressure. It is the most effective and expensive respirator available.
The requirement of frequently having to change cylinders (SCBA) or of having
to work attached to a cumbersome air line (Type "C" system) often makes
performing asbestos work activities in SARs impractical. The high
level of protection provided by SARs, may be required, however, when work
involves atmospheres with highly elevated asbestos fiber counts.
| Section 10. Recordkeeping |
ASBESTOS RECORD KEEPING PROGRAM
Overview
An integral part of an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) is a well organized
record keeping system which accurately documents all activities included
in the AMP. Records documenting inspection, sampling, air monitoring, training,
disposal, medical records, abatement projects, respirator program, hazard
communications program, or any other activity involving asbestos containing
materials must be maintained. It is the responsibility of each campus to
establish a record keeping system which will facilitate rapid retrieval
of data involving asbestos.
Requirements for record keeping are outlined in the EPA "Green Book"
and within the following federal regulations:
-29 CFR 1910.20 ("OSHA Records Access Standard")
-29 CFR 1910.1200 ("OSHA Hazard Communication Standard")
-29 CFR 1926.58 ("OSHA Construction Rule")
-40 CFR 763 Subpart G ("EPA Worker Protection Rule")
The above listed federal guidelines and regulations require that specific
information be maintained in regard to employees engaging in asbestos-related
work activities, including: medical records, training records, air and
bulk sample data, and test results of respirator fit tests. Specific time
requirements are made which require that medical records be maintained
for thirty (30) years by the employer for each employee exposed to asbestos.
Training records must be maintained for one (1) year beyond employment
and respirator fit test results must be maintained for three (3) years.
VCU requires that complete records be maintained for all in-house employees
who engage in asbestos-related work activities. VCU employees requiring
the full gamut of record keeping (as listed in previous paragraph) are
limited to OEHS Chemical/Biological Safety Section staff, and staff members
of the VCU Asbestos Abatement Team. Records for OEHS staff are maintained
within the Chemical/Biological Safety Section office (Suite 107, VMI Building).
Records for the VCU Asbestos Abatement Team are maintained by Physical
Plant within the Duval Building Asbestos Shop.
VCU also requires that full records be maintained for all contracted
employees working in asbestos related task. Contractors are required
to submit to OEHS a full set of records for all employees who will be working
on university projects prior to beginning construction activities.
Abatement projects may not commence until OEHS deems that the submittals
package is complete for all contracted employees.
| Section 11. Administration of Asbestos Contracts |
Overview
Asbestos abatement projects may be initiated and funded through large
university entities (i.e. Construction & Facilities management, Capital
Programs, Architectural Services) or may be conducted on the departmental
level. The common denominator for all asbestos abatement projects
is that responsible parties must fully notify OEHS far in advance of construction.
OEHS participates in all stages of abatement projects and has qualified
professionals who can provide a wide range of tasks including: asbestos
inspections, asbestos removal design development , submittal review and
project monitoring services. In instances when outside consulting
firms are retained for design and/or project monitoring services, OEHS
provides quality control throughout the course of the abatement project
to ensure that university employees are duly protected.
All asbestos abatement projects (except those which are bid as subcontracts
of general contracts) must involve firms which are included on the university
pre-qualified asbestos abatement contractor list. The university
asbestos contract is rebid every two (2) years, firms wishing to pre-qualify
must satisfy the following requirements
| 1. | Proof of valid Virginia Class A Contractor License and valid Virginia Asbestos Contractor License. | ||||||||||||
| 2. | $1,000,000.00 General Liability Insurance | ||||||||||||
| 3. | $500,000.00 Vehicle Liability Insurance | ||||||||||||
| 4. | $1,000,000.00 Environmental Impairment Liability Insurance covering asbestos related work | ||||||||||||
| 5. | Workers Compensation Insurance (statutory requirements and benefits) including Employers Liability coverage at not less than $100,000.00. | ||||||||||||
| 6. | A minimum of 5 references where similar services were provided (at least one project listed must exceed $100,000.00). | ||||||||||||
| 7. | A signed statement by President or Principal of company containing
the following information:
|
For more complete pre-qualification requirements contact the Office
of Procurement and payment at 828-7837.
8.2 - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF ASBESTOS ABATEMENT CONTRACTS:
8.2.1 Design Phase:
8.2.1(A) Unless cleared by OEHS, an asbestos removal design must be
prepared for all projects involving the disturbance of asbestos-containing
materials. Asbestos removal designs may be prepared in-house (OEHS) or
through properly licensed (valid Virginia Asbestos Designer License et.al.)
environmental consulting firms.
8.2.1(A)(i). Asbestos removal designs shall include the generation
of specifications and project drawings as well as full contract/project
administration services (specifically, assistance to the campus during
bidding phase, pre-bid conference, job walk, contract review, and review
of bid submittals).
8.2.1(A)(ii) Acceptable removal designs shall meet the requirements
specified in the university asbestos standard (appendix C). All outside
generated removal designs shall be submitted to OEHS for full review.
Removal designs shall not be implemented until deemed satisfactory through
OEHS's review process.
8.2.2 Asbestos Abatement Phase:
8.2.2(A) Subsequent to final scope review and approval of the project
specifications and plans by OEHS the bidding process may proceed.
8.2.2(B) Prior to work start-up, successful bidders must provide a
pre-work submittals package which details the following:
A. Contractors respiratory protection program
B. Material Safety Data Sheets
C. Verification that all contractor employees that will be involved
in the project have had asbestos training and a medical examination in
compliance with 29 CFR 1926.1101.
D. Documentation verifying that the contractor has obtained approval
from the disposal facility to accept the asbestos waste generated from
the project.
E. Identity and licensure/training information for contractor air monitoring
supervisor.
8.2.2(F)(ii) Post Contract Document Submittals shall include:
A. Copies of all manifests generated during the transport and disposal
of hazardous waste from the project site.
8.2.3 Asbestos Abatement Management
8.2.3(A) Project monitoring and enforcement of the Occupational Safety
& Health Agency (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations
and university asbestos guidelines must be performed by a competent individual
(possessing valid Virginia Project Monitor License et.al.) on all asbestos
removal projects.
8.2.3(A)(i) This service must be performed by an independent third
party with no affiliation to the asbestos abatement contractor, or by a
campus representative who is competent and proficient in industrial hygiene
and safety requirements.
8.2.3(A)(ii) If a university entity wishes to accomplish the
services listed under 3.1 with VCU Asbestos Abatement Team Personnel, preapproval
must be granted by OEHS.
8.2.3(B) Prior to the start of asbestos abatement work a "Pre-Work"
safety conference must be scheduled by the university construction project
manager. This conference shall include OEHS, the contractor, the VCU project
management team, and any other university contacts who may be involved
in the project. The Pre-Work conference shall include a discussion of the
methods and procedures to be used by all parties to ensure a safe working
environment.
8.2.4 Contract Documentation
Documentation shall be maintained by the Department of Construction
and Facilities Management.
8.2.4(A) Contract Document Checklist
| 1. | Notice to contractors and invitation to bid. |
| 2. | Contractors bid proposals. |
| 3. | Contract general conditions. |
| 4. | Supplementary general conditions (when applicable). |
| 5. | Scope of work which includes asbestos abatement specifications. |
| 6. | General construction specifications if required. |
| 7. | Plans. |
| 8. | Bidder's Security equal to 10% of contract bid and performance and payment bonds equal to 50% each of bid proposal. |
| 9. | Contractor pre-qualification and bid submittals identified in section 2.2 and 2.3 of this Coded Memo. |
| 10. | Post job submittals package, including waste manifests. |
APPENDICES
ABIH: American Board of Industrial Hygiene
ACBM: Asbestos-containing building material. Means surfacing
ACM, thermal system insulation ACM, or miscellaneous ACM that is found
in or on interior structural members or other parts of a school building.
Accessible: when referring to ACM, the material is subject to
disturbance by school building occupants or custodial or maintenance personnel
in the course of their normal activities.
Accredited or accreditation: when referring to a person or laboratory
means that such person or laboratory is accredited in accordance with section
206 of Title II of the Act.
ACM: Asbestos-containing material(s)
Act: Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Action Level: An airborne concentration of asbestos of 0.1 fiber
per cubic centimeter of air (f/cc) calculated as an eight (8)-hour time-weighted
average by the method prescribed in Appendix A of this section or an equivalent
method (no longer recognized).
Active waste disposal site: any disposal site other than an
inactive site.
Acoustical Insulation: The general application or use of asbestos
for the control of sound due to its lack of reverberant surfaces.
Acoustical Tile: A finishing material in a building usually
found in the ceiling or walls for the purpose of noise control.
Adequately Wet: Sufficiently mix or penetrate with liquid to
prevent the release of particulates. If visible emissions are observed
coming from asbestos-containing material, then that material has not been
adequately wet.
Aggressive Sampling: Air sampling which takes place after final
clean-up while the air is being physically agitated to produce a "worst
case" situation.
AIA: Asbestos Information Association.
AIA: American Institute of Architects.
AIA: American Insurance Association.
AIHA: American Industrial Hygiene Association
AIHA Accredited Laboratory: A certification given by the AIHA
to an analytical laboratory that has successfully participated in the "Proficiency
Analytical Testing" program for quality control as established by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Airborne Asbestos Analysis: Determination of the amount of asbestos
fibers suspended in a given amount of air.
Air Diffuser: A device designed to disperse an air stream throughout
a given area.
Air Erosion: The passage of air over friable ACBM which may
result in the release of asbestos fibers.
Air Lock: A system of enclosures consisting of two polyethylene
curtained doorways at least three feet apart that does not permit air movement
between clean and contaminated areas.
Air Man: An industrial hygienist or other qualified individual
who collects air samples and monitors the asbestos abatement worksite.
Air Monitoring: The process of measuring the airborne fiber
concentration of a specific quantity of air over a given amount of time.
Air Plenum: Any space used to convey air in a building or structure.
The space above a suspended ceiling is often used as an air plenum.
Algorithm: A universally accepted procedure developed for the
purpose of solving a particular problem. algorithms developed for asbestos
provide a numerical index for evaluating a degree of hazard in a particular
area. The Sawyer Algorithm and the Ferris Index are two, but neither are
widely used today.
Alveoli: Located in clusters around the respiratory bronchi
of the lungs, this is the area in which true respiration takes place.
Ambient Air: The surrounding air or atmosphere in a given area
under normal conditions.
Amended Water: Water to which a chemical wetting agent (surfactant)
has been added to improve penetration into asbestos-containing materials
that are being removed.
Amosite: An Asbestiform mineral of the amphibole group containing
approximately 50% silicon and 40% Iron (II) Oxide, and is made up of straight,
brittle fibers, light gray to pale brown in color.
Amphibole: One of the two major groups of minerals from which
the Asbestiform minerals are derived, distinguished by their chain-like
crystal structure and chemical composition.
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
Approved Landfill: A site for the disposal of asbestos-containing
and other hazardous wastes that has been given EPA approval.
Asbestiform Minerals: Minerals which, due to their crystal structures
and chemical composition, tend to be separated into fibers and can be classified
as a form of asbestos.
Aspect Ratio: The length of a fiber vs. its width.
Asbestos: Any of the following asbestiform minerals alone or
in combination: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite,
actinolite, and any of these minerals that have been chemically treated
and/or altered.
Asbestos Abatement: Procedures to control fiber release from
asbestos-containing materials in buildings.
Asbestos (Environmental) Consultant: Any person who contracts
to provide professional health and safety services relating to asbestos-containing
construction material as defined in this subsection, which comprises 100
square feet or more of surface area. The activities of an asbestos consultant
include building inspection, abatement project design, contract administration,
sample collection, preparation of asbestos management plans, clearance
monitoring, and supervision of site surveillance technicians as defined
in this subsection.
Asbestos-containing Waste Materials: Mill tailings or any waste
that contains commercial asbestos and is generated by a source subject
to the provisions of this subpart. This term includes filters from control
devices, friable asbestos waste material, and bags or other similar packaging
contaminated with commercial asbestos. As applied to demolition and renovation
operations, this term also includes regulated asbestos-containing material
waste and materials contaminated with asbestos including disposable equipment
and clothing.
Asbestos Control: Minimizing the generation of airborne asbestos
fibers until a permanent solution is developed.
Asbestos Debris: Pieces of ACBM that can be identified by color,
texture, or composition, or means dust, if the dust is determined by an
accredited inspector to be ACM.
Asbestos Exposure Assessment System: A decision tool which can
be used to determine the extent of the asbestos hazard that exists in a
building, and which can also be used to develop corrective actions.
Asbestos Fibers: Fibers with their length being greater than
five microns (length to width ratio of 3:1), generated from an asbestos-containing
material.
Asbestosis: A non-malignant, progressive, irreversible lung
disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust and characterized by
diffuse fibrosis.
Asbestos Mill: Any facility engaged in converting, or in any
intermediate step in converting, asbestos ore into commercial asbestos.
Outside storage of asbestos material is not considered a part of asbestos
mill.
Asbestos-related Work: Any activity which by disturbing asbestos-containing
construction materials may release asbestos fibers into the air and which
is not related to its manufacture, the mining or excavation of asbestos-bearing
ore or materials, or the installation or repair of automotive materials
containing asbestos.
Asbestos Standard: Reference to the OSHA requirements in the
general industry standards regarding asbestos exposure (29 CFR 1910.1001),
and EPA National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
(40 CFR 61, subpart M).
Asbestos Tailings: Any solid waste that contains asbestos and
is a product of asbestos mining or milling operations.
Asbestos Waste from Control Devices: Any waste material that
contains asbestos and is collected by a pollution control device.
Atmospheres Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: A hazardous
atmosphere to which exposure will result in serious injury or death in
a matter of minutes, or cause serious delayed effects.
Authorized Person: Any person authorized by the employer and
required by work duties to be present in regulated areas.
Bridging Encapsulant: The application of a sealant over the
surface of asbestos-containing material to prevent the release of asbestos
fibers.
Bronchi: Primary branches of the trachea (windpipe).
Bronchogenic Cancer: An abnormal cell growth in the primary
branches or the trachea (windpipe).
Cancer: A cellular tumor which normally leads to premature death
of its host unless controlled.
Category I Nonfriable Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM): Asbestos-containing
packing, gaskets, resilient floor covering, and asphalt roofing products
containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method
specified in appendix A, subpart F, 40 CFR part 763, section 1, Polarized
Light Microscopy.
Category II Nonfriable ACM: Any material, excluding Category
I nonfriable ACM, containing more than 1 percent asbestos as determined
by using the methods specified in appendix A, subpart F, 40 CFR part 763,
section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy that when dry, cannot be crumbled,
pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
Cementitious: Asbestos-containing materials that are densely
packed, granular and are friable.
Certified Asbestos Consultant: Any asbestos consultant with
adequateVirginia Licensure pursuant to this section.
Certified (Licensed Asbestos Abatement)Supervisor: An individual
who is capable of identifying asbestos hazards in the workplace and who
has sufficient experience and authority to take prompt corrective measures
to eliminate them. The duties of the certified supervisor include at least
the following: establishing the negative-pressure enclosure, ensuring its
integrity, and controlling entry to and exit from the enclosure; supervising
any employee exposure monitoring required by this section; ensuring that
all employees working within such an enclosure wear the appropriate personal
protective equipment, are trained in the use of appropriate methods of
exposure control, and use the hygiene facilities and decontamination procedures
specified in this section; and ensuring that engineering controls in use
are in operating condition and are functioning properly. The certified
supervisor must possess a valid Virginia Asbestos Abatement Supervisor
License. A certified supervisor must be on the job site at all times
during contractor work hours.
CFM: Cubic feet per minute
Chrysotile (White Asbestos): The only asbestiform mineral of
the serpentine group which contains approximately 40% each of silica and
magnesium oxide. It is the most common form of asbestos used in buildings.
CIH: An industrial hygienist who has been granted certification
by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.
Cilia: Tiny hair-like structures in the windpipe and bronchi
of the lung passages that help force undesirable particles and liquids
up and out of the lungs.
Clean Area: The first stage of the decontamination enclosure
system in which workers prepare to enter the work area.
Commercial Asbestos: Any material containing asbestos that is
extracted from ore and has value because of its asbestos content.
Contaminated Items: Any objects that have been exposed to airborne
asbestos fibers without being sealed off or isolated.
Contract Specifications: A set of guidelines that a contractor
must follow when conducting an asbestos abatement job.
Criteria Documents: NIOSH publications that address toxic materials,
analytical methods, personal protective equipment, etc.
Curtained Doorway: A device to allow ingress or egress from
one room to another while permitting minimal air movement between the rooms,
typically constructed by placing two overlapping sheets of plastic over
an existing or temporarily framed doorway, securing each along the top
of the doorway, securing the vertical edge of one sheet along one vertical
side of the doorway and securing the vertical edge of the other sheet along
the opposite side of the doorway.
Cutting: Penetrate with a sharp-edged instrument and includes
sawing, but does not include shearing, slicing , or punching.
Damaged Friable Miscellaneous ACM: Friable miscellaneous ACM
which has deteriorated or sustained physical injury such that the internal
structure (cohesion) of the material is inadequate or, if applicable, which
has delaminated such that its bond to the substrate (adhesion) is inadequate
or which for any other reason lacks fiber cohesion or adhesion qualities.
Such damage or deterioration may be illustrated by the separation of ACM
into layers; separation of ACM from the substrate; flaking, blistering,
or crumbling of the ACM surface; water damage; significant or repeated
water stains, scrapes, gouges, mars or other signs of physical injury on
the ACM. Asbestos debris originating from the ACBM in question may also
indicated damage.
Damaged Friable Surfacing ACM: Friable surfacing ACM which has
deteriorated or sustained physical injury such that the internal structure
(cohesion) of the material is inadequate or which has delaminated such
that its bond to the substrate (adhesion) is inadequate, or which, for
any other reason, lacks fiber cohesion or adhesion qualities. Such damage
or deterioration may be illustrated by the separation of ACM into layers;
separation of ACM from the substrate; flaking, blistering,, or crumbling
of the ACM surface; water damage; significant or repeat water stains, scrapes,
gouges, mares or other signs of physical injury on the ACM. Asbestos debris
originating from the ACBM in question may also indicate damage.
Damage or Significantly Damaged Thermal System Insulation ACM:
Thermal system insulation ACM on pipes, boilers, tanks, ducts, and other
thermal system insulation equipment where the insulation has lost its structural
integrity, or its covering, in whole or in part, is crushed, water stained,
gouged, punctured, missing, or not intact such that it is not able to contain
fibers. Damage may be further illustrated by occasional punctures, gouges
or other signs of physical injury to ACM; occasional water damage on the
protective coverings/jackets; or exposed ACM ends or joints. Asbestos debris
originating from the ACBM in question may also indicating damage.
Decontamination: A series of connected rooms with polyethylene
enclosure system curtained doorways for the purpose of preventing contamination
of areas adjacent to the work area.
Decontamination Area: An enclosed area adjacent and connected
to the regulated area and consisting of an equipment room, shower area,
and clean room, which is used for the decontamination of workers, materials,
and equipment contaminated with asbestos.
Delaminate: To separate into layers. As used here, to separate
from the substrate.
Demolition: The wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting
structural member and any related razing, removing, or stripping of asbestos
products.
Director: The Director of the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or designee.
Dirty Area: Any area in which the concentration of airborne
asbestos fibers exceeds 0.01 f/cc, or where there is visible asbestos residue.
Dispersion Staining: Used in conjunction with polarized light
to identify bulk samples. A particle (fiber) identification technique based
on the difference between light dispersion of a particle (fiber) and liquid
medium in which it is immersed.
Division: The Division of Occupational Safety and Health of
the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Duct Tape: Heavy gauge tape capable of sealing joints or adjacent
sheets of polyethylene.
Dust Mask: Single use or disposable dust respirator with a low
protection factor, not suitable for protection against asbestos fibers.
Electron Microscopy: A method of asbestos sample analysis which
utilizes an electron beam to differentiate between fibers.
Emergency Renovation Operation: A renovation operation that
was not planned but results from a sudden, unexpected event that, if not
immediately attended to, presents a safety or public health hazard, is
necessary to protect equipment from damage, or is necessary to avoid imposing
an unreasonable financial burden. This term includes operations necessitated
by nonroutine failures of equipment.
Employee Exposure: Exposure to airborne asbestos that would
occur if the employee were not using respiratory protective equipment.
Whenever the term exposure is used in this section it refers to exposure
of employees.
Employee Notification: Informing employees or building occupants
if asbestos is present in the building, also informing them of the hazards
associated with asbestos exposure, what is being done to eliminate the
problem, etc.
Employer's Liability: Legal responsibility imposed on an employer
requiring him/her to pay damages to an injured employee.
Encapsulant (sealant): A substance applied to asbestos-containing
material which controls the release of airborne asbestos-fibers.
Encapsulation: The treatment of ACBM with a material that surrounds
or embeds asbestos fibers in an adhesive matrix to prevent the release
of fibers, as the encapsulant creates a membrane over the surface (bridging
encapsulant) or penetrates the material and binds its components together
(penetrating encapsulant).
Enclosure: An airtight, impermeable, permanent barrier around
ACBM to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air.
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Regulations: Regulatory standards which cover emissions
into the outside environment from a workplace and disposal of hazardous
wastes from job sites.
Equipment Room (Change Room): A contaminated room located within the
decontamination area that is supplied with impermeable bags or containers
for the disposal of contaminated protective clothing and equipment.
Fabricating: Any processing (e.g. cutting, sawing, drilling)
of a manufactured product that contains commercial asbestos, with the exception
of processing at temporary sites (field fabricating) for the construction
or restoration of facilities. In the case of friction products, fabricating
includes bonding, debonding, grinding, sawing, drilling, or other similar
operations performed as part of fabricating.
Facepiece: The portion of a respirator which covers the wearer's
nose, mouth , and eyes in a full facepiece.
Facility: Any institutional, commercial, public, industrial,
or residential structure, installation, or building (including any structure,
installation, or building containing condominiums or individual dwelling
units operated as a residential cooperative, but excluding residential
buildings having four or fewer dwelling units); any ship; and any active
or inactive waste disposal site. For purposes of this definition, any building,
structure, or installation that contains a loft used as a dwelling is not
considered a residential structure, installation, or building. Any structure,
installation or building that was previously subject to this subpart is
not excluded, regardless of its current use or function.
Facility Component: Any part of a facility including equipment.
Fallout: The intermittent release of fibers which occurs as
a result of weakened bonds in the material, or because of deterioration.
F/CC: Fibers per cubic centimeters of air.
Fiber: A particulate form of asbestos, 5 micrometers or longer,
with a length-to-diameter ratio of at least 3 to 1.
Fiber Releasability: The potential for generation of airborne
fibers from an asbestos-containing source.
Fiber Release Episode: Any uncontrolled or unintentional disturbance
of ACBM resulting in visible emission.
Fibrosis: A condition of the lungs caused by the inhalation
of excessive amounts of fibrous dust marked by the presence of scar tissue.
Fibrous: Composed almost entirely of fibers.
Fibrous Aerosol Monitor (FAM): A portable survey instrument
with the capability of providing instantaneous airborne fiber concentration
readings.
Fireproofing: Spray-on trowel-applied fir resistant materials.
Friable: When referring to material in a school building means
that the material, when dry, may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to
powder by hand pressure, and includes previously nonfriable material after
such previously nonfriable material becomes damaged to the extent that
when dry it may be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
Friable Asbestos: Any material containing more that 1 percent
asbestos as determined using the method specified in appendix A, subpart
F, 40 CFR part 763 section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy, that, when dry,
can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. If
the asbestos content is less than 10 percent as determined by a method
other than point counting by polarized light microscopy (PLM), verify the
asbestos content by point counting using PLM.
Fugitive Source: Any source of emissions not controlled by an
air pollution control device.
Full Facepiece Respirator: A respirator which covers the wearer's
entire face from the hairline to below the chin.
Functional Space: A room, group of rooms, or homogeneous area
(including crawl spaces or the space between a dropped ceiling and the
floor or roof deck above), such as classroom(s), a cafeteria, gymnasium,
hallway(s), designated by a person accredited to prepare management plans,
design abatement projects, or conduct response actions.
Glove bag: A manufactured or fabricated device consisting of
a bag constructed of a minimum thickness of 6 mil plastic or other impervious
material, tow inward-projecting long-sleeve gloves impervious to asbestos
fibers, one inward-projecting water-wand sleeve, and an attached, labeled
receptacle for asbestos waste. The glove bag is constructed and installed
in such a manner that it surrounds the object or area to be decontaminated
and contains the asbestos fibers released during the removal process. The
glove bag may be modified to accommodate other tools and work practices
as long as it remains sealed.
Glove-box (bag): Plastic enclosure placed around a specific
operation such as a valve to contain small areas of materials for asbestos
removal.
Grinding: To reduce to powder or small fragments and includes
mechanical chipping or drilling.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter: A circuit breaker that is
sensitive to very low levels of current leakage from a fault in an electrical
system.
Ground Fault Interrupter: A device which automatically de-energizes
any high voltage system component which has developed a fault in the ground
line.
Half Mask High Efficiency: A respirator which covers one-half
of the wearer's face and is equipped with filter capable of screening out
99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 microns.
Heat Stress: A bodily disorder associated with exposure to excessive
heat.
HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air (Air Filter). A filter
capable of trapping and retaining at least 99.97 percent of all monodispersed
particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter or larger.
HEPA Filtered Vacuum: A high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
filtered vacuum capable of trapping and retaining 99.97% of all particulates
larger than 0.3 microns.
Holding Area: The airlock between the shower room and the clean
room in a worker decontamination system.
Homogenous: Evenly mixed and similar in appearance and texture
throughout.
Homogeneous Area: An area of surfacing material, thermal system
insulation material, or miscellaneous material that is uniform in color
and texture.
HVAC System: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system
usually found in large business and industry facilities.
In Poor Condition: The binding of the material is losing its
integrity as indicated by peeling, cracking, or crumbling of the material.
Inactive Waste Disposal Site: Any disposal site or portion of
it where additional asbestos-containing waste material has not been deposited
within the past year.
Incident: Any unanticipated event which causes, or is immediately
likely to cause, an exposure of an employee, unprotected by an appropriate
respirator, to asbestos fibers in excess of the PEL and/or excursion limit.
Industrial Hygienist: A professional qualified by education,
training, and experience to recognize, evaluate, and develop controls for
occupational health hazards.
Installation: Any building or structure or any group of buildings
or structures at a single demolition or renovation site that are under
the control of the same owner or operator (or owner or operator under common
control).
Leak-tight: Solids or liquids cannot escape or spill out. It
also means dust-tight.
Local Education Agency: Means:
(1) Any local educational agency as defined in section 198 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 3381).
(2) The owner of any nonpublic, nonprofit elementary, or secondary
school building.
(3) The governing authority of any school operated under the defense
dependents' education system provided for under the Defense Dependents'
Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921, et seq.).
Local Exhaust Ventilation: The mechanical removal of air contaminants
from a point of operation.
Logbook: An official record of all activities which occurred
during a removal project.
Lung Cancer: An uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the
lungs which normally results in the death of the host.
Make-up Air: Supplied or recirculated air to offset that which
has already been exhausted from an area.
Malfunction: Any sudden and unavoidable failure of air pollution
control equipment or process equipment or of a process to operate in a
normal or usual manner so that emissions of asbestos are increased. Failures
of equipment shall not be considered malfunctions if they are caused in
any way by poor maintenance, careless operation, or any other preventable
upset conditions, equipment breakdown, or process failure.
Manufacturing: The combining of commercial asbestos-or, in the
case of woven friction products, the combining of textiles containing commercial
asbestos-with any other material(s), including commercial asbestos, and
the processing of this combination into a product. Chlorine production
is considered a part of manufacturing.
MCEF: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter which is one of several different
types of media used to collect asbestos air samples.
Medical Examinations: An evaluation of a person's health status
conducted by a medical doctor.
Medical History: A record of a person's past health record,
including all the hazardous materials that they have been exposed to and
also any injuries or illnesses which might dictate their future health
status.
Mesothelioma: A relatively rare form of cancer which develops
in the lining of the pleura or peritoneum with no known cure.
Method 7400: NIOSH sampling and analytical method for fibers
using phase-contrast microscopy. Replaces method P & CAM 239.
Micron: One millionth of a meter.
Mil: Prefix meaning one-thousandth.
Millimeter: One-thousandth of a meter.
Mineral Wool: A commonly used substitute for asbestos.
Miscellaneous ACM: Miscellaneous material that is ACM in a school
building.
Miscellaneous Material: Interior building material on structural
components, structural members or fixtures, such as floor and ceiling tiles,
and does not include surfacing material or thermal system insulation.
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet
Natural Barrier: A natural object that effectively precludes
or deters access. Natural barriers include physical obstacles such as cliffs,
lakes or other large bodies of water, deep and wide ravines, and mountains.
Remoteness by itself is not a natural barrier.
Negative Pressure: An atmosphere created in a work area enclosure
such that airborne fibers will tend to be drawn through the filtration
system rather than leak out into the surrounding areas. The air pressure
inside the work are is less than that outside the work area.
NESHAP: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
- EPA Regulation 40 CFR subpart M, part 61.
NIOSH: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
which was established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
NIOSH/MSHA: The official approving agencies for respiratory
protective equipment who test and certify respirators.
Nonfriable: Material in a school building which when dry may
not be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
Nonfriable Asbestos-Containing Material: Any material containing
more that 1 percent asbestos as determined using the method specified in
appendix A, subpart F, 40 CFR part 763m section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy,
that, when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by
hand pressure.
Nonscheduled Renovation Operation: A renovation operation necessitated
by the routine failure of equipment, which is expected to occur within
a given period based on past operating experience, but for which an exact
date cannot be predicted.
Numerical Value: Refers to the types and percentages of asbestos present
in a given sample.
Operations and Maintenance Program (OMP): A program of work
practices to maintain friable ACBM in good condition, ensure clean up of
asbestos fibers previously released, and prevent further release by minimizing
and controlling friable ACBM disturbance or damage.
OSHA: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration which
was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; serves as
the enforcement agency for safety and health in the workplace environment.
Outside Air: The air outside buildings and structures, including,
but not limited to, the air under a bridge or in an open air ferry dock.
Owner or Operator of a Demolition or Renovation Activity: Any
person who owns, leases, operates, controls, or supervises the facility
being demolished or renovated or any person who owns, leases, operates,
controls, or supervises the demolition or renovation operation, or both.
Particulate Asbestos Material: Finely divided particles of asbestos
or material containing asbestos.
PAT Samples: Proficiency Analytical Testing of asbestos samples
conducted through NIOSH for laboratories involved with the analysis of
asbestos samples.
P & CAM 239: A NIOSH sampling and analytical method for
measuring airborne fibers using phase contrast microscopy.
PCM: Phase Contrast Microscopy.
PEL: Permissible Exposure Limit as stated by OSHA.
Penetrating Encapsulant: Liquid material applied to asbestos-containing
material to control airborne fiber release by penetrating into the material
and binding its components together.
Peritoneum: The thin membrane that lines the surface of the
abdominal cavity.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Any material or device
worn to protect a worker from exposure to, or contact with, any harmful
material or force.
Personal Sample: An air sample taken with the sampling pump
directly attached to the worker with the collecting filter placed in the
worker's breathing zone.
Personal Protection: Notification and instruction of all workers
prior to the beginning of a project as to the hazards associated with the
job and what they can do to protect themselves from these hazards.
PF: Protection factor is provided by the respirator which is
determined by dividing the airborne fiber concentration outside of the
mask by the concentration inside the mask.
Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM): An optical microscopic technique
used for the counting of fibers in air samples, but which does not distinguish
fiber types.
Pipe Lagging: The insulation or wrapping around a pipe.
Planned Renovation Operations: A renovation operation, or a
number of such operations, in which some RACM will be removed or stripped
within a given period of time and that can be predicted. Individual nonscheduled
operations are included if a number of such operations can be predicted
to occur during a given period of time based on operating experience.
Pleura: The thin membrane surround the lungs, and which lines
the internal surface of the chest cavity.
Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM): An optical microscopic technique
used to distinguish between different types of asbestos fibers by their
shape and unique optical properties.
Polyethylene: Plastic sheeting which is often used to seal off
an area in which asbestos removal is taking place for the purpose of preventing
contamination of other areas.
Posting: Refers to caution or warning signs which should be
posted in any area in which asbestos removal is taking place, or where
airborne fiber levels may present a health hazard.
Potential Damage: Circumstances in which:
(1) Friable ACBM is in an area regularly used by building occupants,
including maintenance personnel, in the course of their normal activities.
(2) There are indications that there is a reasonable likelihood that
the material or its covering will become damaged, deteriorated, or
delaminated due to factors such as changes in building use, changes
in operations and maintenance practices, changes in occupancy, or
recurrent damage.
Potential Significant Damage: Circumstances in which:
(1) Friable ACBM is in an area regularly used by building occupants,
including maintenance personnel, in the course of their normal activities.
(2) There are indications that there is a reasonable likelihood that
the material or its covering will become damaged, deteriorated, or
delaminated due to factors such as changes in building use, changes
in operations and maintenance practices, changes in occupancy, or
recurrent damage.
(3) The material is subject to major or continuing disturbance, due
to factors including, but not limited to accessibility or, under
certain circumstances, vibration or air erosion.
Pre-Construction Conference: A meeting held before any work
begins between the contractor and the building owner at which time the
job specifications are discussed and all details of the work agreed upon.
Pre-Employment Physical: Complete medical examination of an
employee before the job begins to determine whether or not he/she is fit
to perform the functions of their employment.
Preventive Measures: Actions taken to reduce disturbance of
ACBM or other wise eliminate the reasonable likelihood of the material's
becoming damaged or significantly damaged.
Progress Payments: A pre-work agreement whereby the building
owner pays the contractor after completion of certain phases of the project.
Properly Trained/Protected Personnel: Competent individuals
who possess a valid Virginia State Asbestos Worker License, are under a
suitable (per OSHA requirements) medical surveillance program and utilize
appropriate PPE per all applicable federal, state and university standards.
Protective Clothing: Protective, lightweight garments worn by
workers performing asbestos abatement to keep gross contamination off the
body.
Pulmonary: Pertaining to, or affecting the lungs, or some portion
thereof.
Pulmonary Function Tests: A part of the medical examination
required to determine the health status of a person's lungs.
Qualitative Fit Test: A method of testing a respirator's face-to-facepiece
seal by covering the inhalation or exhalation valves and either breathing
in or out to determine the presence of any leaks.
Random Sample: A sample drawn in such a way that there is no
set pattern and is designed to give a true representation of the entire
population or area.
Record Keeping: Detailed documentation of all program activities,
decisions, analyses, and any other pertinent information to a project.
Regulated Area: An area demarcated by the employer in order
to establish where airborne concentrations of asbestos exceed, or can reasonably
be expected to exceed, the PEL and /or excursion limit. The regulated area
may take the form of (1) a temporary enclosure, as required by subsection
(e)(2) of this section, or (2) an area demarcated in any manner that minimizes
the number of employees exposed to asbestos.
Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material (RACM): Means (a) Friable
asbestos material, (b) Category I nonfriable ACM that has become friable,
(c) Category I nonfriable ACM that will be or has been subjected to sanding,
grinding, cutting, or abrading, or (d) Category II nonfriable ACM that
has a high probability of becoming or has become crumbled, pulverized,
or reduced to powder by the forces expected to act on the material in the
course of demolition or renovation operations regulated by this subpart.
Reintrainment: The disturbance of fibers already separated from
the main body so that they re-suspend into the atmosphere after having
initially settled.
Removal: The taking out or stripping asbestos or materials containing
asbestos.
Remove: To take out RACM or facility components that contain
or are covered with RACM from any facility.
Renovation: The modifying of any existing structure, or portion
thereof, where exposure to airborne asbestos may result.
Repair: The overhauling, rebuilding, reconstructing, or reconditioning
of structures, or parts thereof, where asbestos is present.
Resilient Floor Covering: Asbestos-containing floor tile, including
asphalt and vinyl floor tile, and sheet vinyl floor covering containing
more than 1 percent asbestos as determined using polarized light microscopy
according to the method specified in appendix A, subpart F, 40 CFR part
763, Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy.
Resolution: The ability to distinguish between individual objects,
as with a microscope.
Resolve: to distinguish different objects with a microscopy.
Respirable: Breathable.
Respiratory Program: A written program established by an employer
which provides for the safe use of respirators on their job sites.
Response Action: A method, including removal, encapsulation,
enclosure, repair, operations and maintenance, that protects human health
and the environment from friable ACBM.
Resuspension: The secondary dispersal or re-entrainment of settled
fibers which have previously been released by impact or fallout.
Rip-Out: The actual removal of asbestos-containing materials
from a building.
Risk: The likelihood or probability of developing a disease,
or being hurt, as the result of exposure to a contaminant or a condition.
Roadways: Surfaces on which vehicles travel. This term includes
public and private highways, roads, streets, parking areas, and driveways.
Routine Maintenance Area: An area, such as a boiler room or
mechanical room, that is not normally frequented by students and in which
maintenance employees or contract workers regularly conduct maintenance
activities.
School: Any elementary or secondary school (K - 12).
School Building: Means:
(1) Any structure suitable for use as a classroom, including a school
facility such as a laboratory, library, school eating facility, or
facility used for the preparation of food.
(2) Any gymnasium or other facility which is specially designed for
athletic or recreational activities for an academic course in physical
education.
(3) Any other facility used for the instruction or housing of students
or for the administration of educational or research programs.
(4) Any maintenance, storage, or utility facility, including any hallway,
essential to the operation of any facility described in this definition
of "school building" under paragraphs (1), (2), or (3).
(5) Any portico or covered exterior hallway or walkway.
(6) Any exterior portion of a mechanical system used to condition interior
space.
Serpentine: One of the two major groups of minerals from which
the asbestiform minerals are derived, distinguished by their tubular structure
and chemical composition.
Shower Room: A room between the clean room and the equipment
room in a worker decontamination system in which workers take showers when
leaving the work area.
Significantly Damaged Friable Miscellaneous ACM: Damaged friable
miscellaneous ACM where the damage is extensive and severe.
Significantly Damaged Friable Surfacing ACM: Damaged friable
surfacing ACM in a functional space where the damage is extensive and severe.
Site Surveillance Technician: Any person who acts as an independent
on-site representative of an asbestos consultant. The site surveillance
technician monitors the asbestos abatement activities of others, provides
asbestos air monitoring services for area and personal samples, and performs
building surveys and contract administration at the direction of an asbestos
consultant.
Small-Scale, Short-Duration Activities: For the purposes of
this section, small-scale, short-duration activities are operations for
which a negative pressure enclosure is infeasible, impractical, or unsafe
due to the small size of the task. Examples of these are tasks such as,
but not limited to: removal of asbestos-containing insulation from short
sections of pipes; removal of small quantities of asbestos-containing insulation
on beams or above ceilings; replacement of an asbestos-containing gasket
on a valve; installation or removal of small sections of drywall; roofing;
other general building maintenance; and installation of electrical conduits
through or proximate to asbestos-containing materials.
Spirometer: An instrument which measures the volume of air being
expired from the lungs.
Structural Member: Any load-supporting member such as beams
and load supporting walls of a facility.
State: A State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas, the Trust Territory
of the Pacific Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
State-of-the-Art: State-of-the-art asbestos abatement and control
work procedures are those procedures currently in use which have been demonstrated
to be the most effective, reliable, and protective of workers' health.
As new procedures are developed which demonstrate greater effectiveness,
reliability, and worker protection and thereby come into use, they become
the state-of-the-art.
Strip: To take off RACM from any part of a facility or facility
components.
Structural Member: Any load supporting member of a facility,
such as beams and load supporting wall; or any nonload-supporting member,
such as ceilings and nonload-supporting walls.
Substrate: The materials or existing surface located under or
behind the asbestos-containing material.
Surfacing ACM: Surfacing material that is ACM.
Surfacing Material: Material in a school building that is sprayed-on,
troweled-on, or otherwise applied to surfaces, such as acoustical plaster
on ceilings and fireproofing materials on structural members, or other
materials on surfaces for acoustical, fireproofing, or other purposes.
Surfactant: a chemical wetting agent added to water to improve its
penetration abilities into asbestos-containing materials.
Thermal System Insulation: Material in a school building applied
to pipes, fittings, boilers, breeching, tanks, ducts, or other interior
structural components to prevent heat loss or gain, or water condensation,
or for other purposes.
Thermal System Insulation ACM: Means thermal system insulation
that is ACM.
TLV: Levels of contamin