When American Technologies, Inc. was established in 1989, the company operated strictly as an asbestos abatement company. Today, we are recognized as a leader in this service. In fact in 2007, Engineering News-Record, a leading construction magazine, ranked our company as one of the top 10 asbestos abatement contractors in the country. We service a wide variety of facilities including:
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Hotels
• Casinos
• Manufacturing plants
• Commercial buildings
• Government buildings
• Apartment complexes
Where it's found and why it needs to go
Asbestos may be found in structures that were built prior to the early 1980s. Certain types of asbestos do not burn, conduct heat or conduct electricity. Because of these unique characteristics, these particular types were used in making building materials such as:
• Acoustic ceilings
• Button board
• Drywall
• Duct work
• Fireproofing
• Lath and plaster
• Linoleum
• Mastic
• Plaster
• Stucco
• Tape and mud
• Texture coating
• Transite piping and siding
• Vinyl asbestos tile
• Vinyl sheet goods
Asbestos is often discovered when the material containing the substance is disturbed. This may happen during a renovation, remodeling job, demolition or after a natural disaster. Once the asbestos-containing material is disturbed, abatement is recommended to prevent any potential health threats to the building occupants. According to the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, exposure to asbestos could potentially increase the risk of developing cancer of the lung or other organs.
Our approach
We offer comprehensive asbestos abatement services ranging from the initial investigation to project completion. For each job, we assign a project manager and supervisor to oversee the following activities:
• Write and submit a project proposal and budget.
• Coordinate and facilitate an initial asbestos survey and investigation.
• Retrieve samples and test.
• Finalize the work plan.
• Remove asbestos-containing materials using industry approved techniques.
• Track and compile asbestos waste manifests.
• Prepare and submit a close-out package including a final report detailing project activities and necessary documentation.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
No formal education beyond a high school diploma is required for a person to become a hazardous materials removal worker. However, Federal, State, and local government standards require specific types of on-the-job training. The regulations vary by specialty and sometimes by State or locality. Employers are responsible for employee training.
Education and training. Hazardous materials removal workers usually need at least 40 hours of formal on-the-job training. For most specialties, this training must meet specific requirements set by the Federal Government or individual States.
Licensure. Workers who treat asbestos and lead, the most common contaminants, must complete a training program through their employer that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Employer-sponsored training is usually performed in-house, and the employer is responsible for covering all technical and safety subjects outlined by OSHA.
To become an emergency and disaster response worker and treatment, storage, and disposal worker, candidates must obtain a Federal license as mandated by OSHA. Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees complete a formal 40-hour training program, given either in house or in OSHA-approved training centers. The program covers health hazards, personal protective equipment and clothing, site safety, recognition and identification of hazards, and decontamination.
In some cases, workers may discover one hazardous material while abating another. If they are not licensed to work with the newly discovered material, they cannot continue to work with it. Many experienced workers opt to take courses in additional types of hazardous material removal to avoid this situation. Mold removal is not regulated by OSHA, but is regulated by each State.
For decommissioning and decontamination workers employed at nuclear facilities, training is most extensive. In addition to obtaining licensure through the standard 40-hour training course in hazardous waste removal, workers must take courses dealing with regulations governing nuclear materials and radiation safety as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These courses add up to approximately 3 months of training, although most are not taken consecutively. Many agencies, organizations, and companies throughout the country provide training programs that are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other regulatory bodies. Workers in all fields are required to take refresher courses every year to maintain their license.
Other qualifications. Workers must be able to perform basic mathematical conversions and calculations when mixing solutions that neutralize contaminants and should have good physical strength and manual dexterity. Because of the nature of the work and the time constraints sometimes involved, employers prefer people who are dependable, prompt, and detail-oriented. Because much of the work is done in buildings, a background in construction is helpful.
Education and training. Hazardous materials removal workers usually need at least 40 hours of formal on-the-job training. For most specialties, this training must meet specific requirements set by the Federal Government or individual States.
Licensure. Workers who treat asbestos and lead, the most common contaminants, must complete a training program through their employer that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Employer-sponsored training is usually performed in-house, and the employer is responsible for covering all technical and safety subjects outlined by OSHA.
To become an emergency and disaster response worker and treatment, storage, and disposal worker, candidates must obtain a Federal license as mandated by OSHA. Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees complete a formal 40-hour training program, given either in house or in OSHA-approved training centers. The program covers health hazards, personal protective equipment and clothing, site safety, recognition and identification of hazards, and decontamination.
In some cases, workers may discover one hazardous material while abating another. If they are not licensed to work with the newly discovered material, they cannot continue to work with it. Many experienced workers opt to take courses in additional types of hazardous material removal to avoid this situation. Mold removal is not regulated by OSHA, but is regulated by each State.
For decommissioning and decontamination workers employed at nuclear facilities, training is most extensive. In addition to obtaining licensure through the standard 40-hour training course in hazardous waste removal, workers must take courses dealing with regulations governing nuclear materials and radiation safety as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These courses add up to approximately 3 months of training, although most are not taken consecutively. Many agencies, organizations, and companies throughout the country provide training programs that are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other regulatory bodies. Workers in all fields are required to take refresher courses every year to maintain their license.
Other qualifications. Workers must be able to perform basic mathematical conversions and calculations when mixing solutions that neutralize contaminants and should have good physical strength and manual dexterity. Because of the nature of the work and the time constraints sometimes involved, employers prefer people who are dependable, prompt, and detail-oriented. Because much of the work is done in buildings, a background in construction is helpful.
Nature of the Work
Increased public awareness and Federal and State regulations are resulting in the removal of more hazardous materials from buildings, facilities, and the environment to prevent further contamination of natural resources and to promote public health and safety. Hazardous materials typically possess at least one of four characteristics—ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity. Hazardous materials removal workers identify, remove, package, transport, and dispose of various hazardous materials, including asbestos, radioactive and nuclear materials, arsenic, lead, and mercury. These workers are sometimes called abatement, remediation, or decontamination workers. Removal workers often respond to emergencies where harmful substances are present.
Hazardous materials removal workers use a variety of tools and equipment, depending on the work at hand. Equipment ranges from brooms to personal protective suits that completely isolate workers from the hazardous material. Because of the threat of contamination, workers often wear disposable or reusable coveralls, gloves, hardhats, shoe covers, safety glasses or goggles, chemical-resistant clothing, face shields, and devices to protect one’s hearing. Most workers are also required to wear respirators while working, to protect them from airborne particles or noxious gases. The respirators range from simple versions that cover only the mouth and nose to self-contained suits with their own air supply.
Asbestos and lead are two of the most common contaminants that hazardous materials removal workers encounter. Through the 1970s, asbestos was used to fireproof roofing and flooring, for heat insulation, and for a variety of other purposes. It was durable, fire retardant, resisted corrosion, and insulated well, making it ideal for such applications. Embedded in materials, asbestos is fairly harmless; airborne, however, it can cause several lung diseases, including lung cancer and asbestosis. Today, asbestos is rarely used in buildings, but there are still structures that contain the material that must be remediated. Similarly, lead was a common building component found in paint and plumbing fixtures and pipes until the late 1970s. Because lead is easily absorbed into the bloodstream, often from breathing lead dust or from eating chips of paint containing lead, it can cause serious health risks, especially in children. Due to these risks, it has become necessary to remove lead-based products from buildings and structures.
Asbestos abatement workers and lead abatement workers remove asbestos, lead, and other materials from buildings scheduled to be renovated or demolished. Using a variety of hand and power tools, such as vacuums and scrapers, these workers remove the asbestos and lead from surfaces. A typical residential lead abatement project involves the use of a chemical to strip the lead-based paint from the walls of the home. Lead abatement workers apply the compound with a putty knife and allow it to dry. Then they scrape the hazardous material into an impregnable container for transport and storage. They also use sandblasters and high-pressure water sprayers to remove lead from large structures. The vacuums utilized by asbestos abatement workers have special, highly efficient filters designed to trap the asbestos, which later is disposed of or stored. During the abatement, special monitors measure the amount of asbestos and lead in the air, to protect the workers; in addition, lead abatement workers wear a personal air monitor that indicates the amount of lead to which a worker has been exposed. Workers also use monitoring devices to identify the asbestos, lead, and other materials that need to be removed from the surfaces of walls and structures.
Transportation of hazardous materials is safer today than it was in the past, but accidents still occur. Emergency and disaster response workers clean up hazardous materials after train derailments and trucking accidents. These workers also are needed when an immediate cleanup is required, as would be the case after an attack by biological or chemical weapons.
Some hazardous materials removal workers specialize in radioactive substances. These substances range from low-level contaminated protective clothing, tools, filters, and medical equipment, to highly radioactive nuclear reactor fuels used to produce electricity. Decontamination technicians perform duties similar to those of janitors and cleaners, but the items and areas they clean are radioactive. They use brooms, mops, and other tools to clean exposed areas and remove exposed items for decontamination or disposal. Some of these jobs are now being done by robots controlled by people away from the contamination site. Increasingly, many of these remote devices are being used to automatically monitor and survey surfaces, such as floors and walls, for contamination.
With experience, decontamination technicians can advance to radiation-protection technician jobs and use radiation survey meters and other remote devices to locate and evaluate materials, operate high-pressure cleaning equipment for decontamination, and package radioactive materials for transportation or disposal.
Decommissioning and decontamination workers remove and treat radioactive materials generated by nuclear facilities and power plants. With a variety of handtools, they break down contaminated items such as “gloveboxes,” which are used to process radioactive materials. At decommissioning sites, the workers clean and decontaminate the facility, as well as remove any radioactive or contaminated materials.
Treatment, storage, and disposal workers transport and prepare materials for treatment or disposal. To ensure proper treatment of the materials, laws, typically regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), require these workers to be able to verify shipping manifests. At incinerator facilities, treatment, storage, and disposal workers transport materials from the customer or service center to the incinerator. At landfills, they follow a strict procedure for the processing and storage of hazardous materials. They organize and track the location of items in the landfill and may help change the state of a material from liquid to solid in preparation for its storage. These workers typically operate heavy machinery, such as forklifts, earthmoving machinery, and large trucks and rigs.
To help clean up the Nation’s hazardous waste sites, a Federal program, called Superfund, was created in 1980. Under the Superfund program, abandoned, accidentally spilled, or illegally dumped hazardous waste that poses a current or future threat to human health or the environment is cleaned up. In doing so, the EPA along with potentially responsible parties, communities, local, State, and Federal authorities, identify hazardous waste sites, test site conditions, formulate cleanup plans, and clean up the sites.
Mold remediation is a new aspect of some hazardous materials removal work. Some types of mold can cause allergic reactions, especially in people who are susceptible to them. Although mold is present in almost all structures and is not usually defined as a hazardous material, some mold—especially the types that cause allergic reactions—can infest a building to such a degree that extensive efforts must be taken to remove it safely. Molds are fungi that typically grow in warm, damp conditions both indoors and outdoors year round. They can be found in heating and air-conditioning ducts, within walls, and in showers, attics, and basements. Although mold remediation is often undertaken by other construction workers, large scale mold removal is usually handled by hazardous materials removal workers, who take special precautions to protect themselves and surrounding areas from being contaminated.
Hazardous materials removal workers also may be required to construct scaffolding or erect containment areas prior to abatement or decontamination. In most cases, government regulation dictates that hazardous materials removal workers be closely supervised on the worksite. The standard usually is 1 supervisor to every 10 workers. The work is highly structured, sometimes planned years in advance, and team oriented. There is a great deal of cooperation among supervisors and workers. Because of the hazard presented by the materials being removed, work areas are restricted to licensed hazardous materials removal workers, thus minimizing exposure to the public.
Work environment. Hazardous materials removal workers function in a highly structured environment to minimize the danger they face. Each phase of an operation is planned in advance, and workers are trained to deal with safety breaches and hazardous situations. Crews and supervisors take every precaution to ensure that the worksite is safe. Whether they work with asbestos, mold, lead abatement, or in radioactive decontamination, hazardous materials removal workers must stand, stoop, and kneel for long periods. Some must wear fully enclosed personal protective suits for several hours at a time; these suits may be hot and uncomfortable and may cause some individuals to experience claustrophobia.
Hazardous materials removal workers face different working conditions, depending on their area of expertise. Although many work a standard 40-hour week, overtime and shift work are common, especially for emergency and disaster response workers. Asbestos and lead abatement workers usually work in structures such as office buildings, schools, or historic buildings under renovation. Because they are under pressure to complete their work within certain deadlines, workers may experience fatigue. Completing projects frequently requires night and weekend work, because hazardous materials removal workers often work around the schedules of others. Treatment, storage, and disposal workers are employed primarily at facilities such as landfills, incinerators, boilers, and industrial furnaces. These facilities often are located in remote areas, due to the kinds of work being done. As a result, workers employed by treatment, storage, or disposal facilities may commute long distances to their jobs.
Decommissioning and decontamination workers, decontamination technicians, and radiation protection technicians work at nuclear facilities and electric power plants. Like treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, these sites often are far from urban areas. Workers, who often perform jobs in cramped conditions, may need to use sharp tools to dismantle contaminated objects. A hazardous materials removal worker must have great self-control and a level head to cope with the daily stress associated with handling hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials removal workers may be required to travel outside their normal working areas in order to respond to emergencies, the cleanup of which sometimes take several days or weeks to complete. During the cleanup, workers may be away from home for the entire time.
Hazardous materials removal workers use a variety of tools and equipment, depending on the work at hand. Equipment ranges from brooms to personal protective suits that completely isolate workers from the hazardous material. Because of the threat of contamination, workers often wear disposable or reusable coveralls, gloves, hardhats, shoe covers, safety glasses or goggles, chemical-resistant clothing, face shields, and devices to protect one’s hearing. Most workers are also required to wear respirators while working, to protect them from airborne particles or noxious gases. The respirators range from simple versions that cover only the mouth and nose to self-contained suits with their own air supply.
Asbestos and lead are two of the most common contaminants that hazardous materials removal workers encounter. Through the 1970s, asbestos was used to fireproof roofing and flooring, for heat insulation, and for a variety of other purposes. It was durable, fire retardant, resisted corrosion, and insulated well, making it ideal for such applications. Embedded in materials, asbestos is fairly harmless; airborne, however, it can cause several lung diseases, including lung cancer and asbestosis. Today, asbestos is rarely used in buildings, but there are still structures that contain the material that must be remediated. Similarly, lead was a common building component found in paint and plumbing fixtures and pipes until the late 1970s. Because lead is easily absorbed into the bloodstream, often from breathing lead dust or from eating chips of paint containing lead, it can cause serious health risks, especially in children. Due to these risks, it has become necessary to remove lead-based products from buildings and structures.
Asbestos abatement workers and lead abatement workers remove asbestos, lead, and other materials from buildings scheduled to be renovated or demolished. Using a variety of hand and power tools, such as vacuums and scrapers, these workers remove the asbestos and lead from surfaces. A typical residential lead abatement project involves the use of a chemical to strip the lead-based paint from the walls of the home. Lead abatement workers apply the compound with a putty knife and allow it to dry. Then they scrape the hazardous material into an impregnable container for transport and storage. They also use sandblasters and high-pressure water sprayers to remove lead from large structures. The vacuums utilized by asbestos abatement workers have special, highly efficient filters designed to trap the asbestos, which later is disposed of or stored. During the abatement, special monitors measure the amount of asbestos and lead in the air, to protect the workers; in addition, lead abatement workers wear a personal air monitor that indicates the amount of lead to which a worker has been exposed. Workers also use monitoring devices to identify the asbestos, lead, and other materials that need to be removed from the surfaces of walls and structures.
Transportation of hazardous materials is safer today than it was in the past, but accidents still occur. Emergency and disaster response workers clean up hazardous materials after train derailments and trucking accidents. These workers also are needed when an immediate cleanup is required, as would be the case after an attack by biological or chemical weapons.
Some hazardous materials removal workers specialize in radioactive substances. These substances range from low-level contaminated protective clothing, tools, filters, and medical equipment, to highly radioactive nuclear reactor fuels used to produce electricity. Decontamination technicians perform duties similar to those of janitors and cleaners, but the items and areas they clean are radioactive. They use brooms, mops, and other tools to clean exposed areas and remove exposed items for decontamination or disposal. Some of these jobs are now being done by robots controlled by people away from the contamination site. Increasingly, many of these remote devices are being used to automatically monitor and survey surfaces, such as floors and walls, for contamination.
With experience, decontamination technicians can advance to radiation-protection technician jobs and use radiation survey meters and other remote devices to locate and evaluate materials, operate high-pressure cleaning equipment for decontamination, and package radioactive materials for transportation or disposal.
Decommissioning and decontamination workers remove and treat radioactive materials generated by nuclear facilities and power plants. With a variety of handtools, they break down contaminated items such as “gloveboxes,” which are used to process radioactive materials. At decommissioning sites, the workers clean and decontaminate the facility, as well as remove any radioactive or contaminated materials.
Treatment, storage, and disposal workers transport and prepare materials for treatment or disposal. To ensure proper treatment of the materials, laws, typically regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), require these workers to be able to verify shipping manifests. At incinerator facilities, treatment, storage, and disposal workers transport materials from the customer or service center to the incinerator. At landfills, they follow a strict procedure for the processing and storage of hazardous materials. They organize and track the location of items in the landfill and may help change the state of a material from liquid to solid in preparation for its storage. These workers typically operate heavy machinery, such as forklifts, earthmoving machinery, and large trucks and rigs.
To help clean up the Nation’s hazardous waste sites, a Federal program, called Superfund, was created in 1980. Under the Superfund program, abandoned, accidentally spilled, or illegally dumped hazardous waste that poses a current or future threat to human health or the environment is cleaned up. In doing so, the EPA along with potentially responsible parties, communities, local, State, and Federal authorities, identify hazardous waste sites, test site conditions, formulate cleanup plans, and clean up the sites.
Mold remediation is a new aspect of some hazardous materials removal work. Some types of mold can cause allergic reactions, especially in people who are susceptible to them. Although mold is present in almost all structures and is not usually defined as a hazardous material, some mold—especially the types that cause allergic reactions—can infest a building to such a degree that extensive efforts must be taken to remove it safely. Molds are fungi that typically grow in warm, damp conditions both indoors and outdoors year round. They can be found in heating and air-conditioning ducts, within walls, and in showers, attics, and basements. Although mold remediation is often undertaken by other construction workers, large scale mold removal is usually handled by hazardous materials removal workers, who take special precautions to protect themselves and surrounding areas from being contaminated.
Hazardous materials removal workers also may be required to construct scaffolding or erect containment areas prior to abatement or decontamination. In most cases, government regulation dictates that hazardous materials removal workers be closely supervised on the worksite. The standard usually is 1 supervisor to every 10 workers. The work is highly structured, sometimes planned years in advance, and team oriented. There is a great deal of cooperation among supervisors and workers. Because of the hazard presented by the materials being removed, work areas are restricted to licensed hazardous materials removal workers, thus minimizing exposure to the public.
Work environment. Hazardous materials removal workers function in a highly structured environment to minimize the danger they face. Each phase of an operation is planned in advance, and workers are trained to deal with safety breaches and hazardous situations. Crews and supervisors take every precaution to ensure that the worksite is safe. Whether they work with asbestos, mold, lead abatement, or in radioactive decontamination, hazardous materials removal workers must stand, stoop, and kneel for long periods. Some must wear fully enclosed personal protective suits for several hours at a time; these suits may be hot and uncomfortable and may cause some individuals to experience claustrophobia.
Hazardous materials removal workers face different working conditions, depending on their area of expertise. Although many work a standard 40-hour week, overtime and shift work are common, especially for emergency and disaster response workers. Asbestos and lead abatement workers usually work in structures such as office buildings, schools, or historic buildings under renovation. Because they are under pressure to complete their work within certain deadlines, workers may experience fatigue. Completing projects frequently requires night and weekend work, because hazardous materials removal workers often work around the schedules of others. Treatment, storage, and disposal workers are employed primarily at facilities such as landfills, incinerators, boilers, and industrial furnaces. These facilities often are located in remote areas, due to the kinds of work being done. As a result, workers employed by treatment, storage, or disposal facilities may commute long distances to their jobs.
Decommissioning and decontamination workers, decontamination technicians, and radiation protection technicians work at nuclear facilities and electric power plants. Like treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, these sites often are far from urban areas. Workers, who often perform jobs in cramped conditions, may need to use sharp tools to dismantle contaminated objects. A hazardous materials removal worker must have great self-control and a level head to cope with the daily stress associated with handling hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials removal workers may be required to travel outside their normal working areas in order to respond to emergencies, the cleanup of which sometimes take several days or weeks to complete. During the cleanup, workers may be away from home for the entire time.
Some facts
Breathing in asbestos fibers has been linked to cancer and other diseases. When asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged it releases tiny fibers into the air that are too small to be filtered by a dust mask. There is no safe level of exposure, so contact with any amount of asbestos can be harmful.
The best way to handle asbestos-containing material is to hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor (external PDF file) to perform the work. Most home repair or remodeling contractors do not have an asbestos abatement license or certified workers who are trained and equipped to work safely with asbestos.
Protect yourself and your family from the dangers of improper asbestos removal. Call the Southwest Clean Air Agency at 360-574-3058 to get more information and advice before you remodel, hire a contractor or attempt to handle asbestos yourself.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral that can be broken down into very fine fibers that are heat-resistant and extremely durable. Because of these properties, asbestos was widely used in construction materials.
Depending on its condition, asbestos in your home may be hazardous to your health. As long as asbestos is not disturbed, damaged or worn, or the material is sealed, it is not considered a health hazard.
If you're thinking of buying a house that needs remodeling, or planning to remodel your current home, hire a qualified AHERA inspector to survey the house for asbestos before you buy or remodel. Improper handling of asbestos-containing materials can be expensive.
Does your house have asbestos-containing materials?
Note: The following list does not include every product or material that may contain asbestos. It is intended as a general guide to show which types of materials may contain asbestos.
* Cement pipes
* Cement wallboard
* Cement siding
* Asphalt floor tile
* Vinyl floor tile
* Vinyl sheet flooring
* Flooring backing
* Construction mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
* Acoustical plaster
* Decorative plaster
* Textured paints/coatings
* Ceiling tiles and lay-in panels
* Spray-applied insulation
* Blown-in insulation
* Fireproofing materials
* Taping compounds (thermal)
* Packing materials (for wall/floor penetrations)
* High temperature gaskets
* Laboratory hoods/table tops
* Laboratory gloves
* Fire blankets
* Fire curtains
* Elevator Equipment Panels
* Elevator brake shoes
* HVAC duct insulation
* Boiler insulation
* Breaching insulation
* Ductwork flexible fabric connections
* Cooling towers
* Pipe insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
* Heating and electrical ducts
* Electrical panel partitions
* Electrical cloth
* Electric wiring insulation
* Chalkboards
* Roofing shingles
* Roofing felt
* Base flashing
* Thermal paper products
* Fire doors
* Caulking/putties
* Adhesives
* Wallboard
* Joint compounds
* Vinyl wall coverings
* Spackling compounds
Be safe! Treat all suspect materials as if they contain asbestos until you know for sure.
You cannot identify asbestos by looking at it. The only safe way to find out if material contains asbestos is to have a laboratory analyze a sample of the suspect material.
The best way to handle asbestos-containing material is to hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor (external PDF file) to perform the work. Most home repair or remodeling contractors do not have an asbestos abatement license or certified workers who are trained and equipped to work safely with asbestos.
Protect yourself and your family from the dangers of improper asbestos removal. Call the Southwest Clean Air Agency at 360-574-3058 to get more information and advice before you remodel, hire a contractor or attempt to handle asbestos yourself.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral that can be broken down into very fine fibers that are heat-resistant and extremely durable. Because of these properties, asbestos was widely used in construction materials.
Depending on its condition, asbestos in your home may be hazardous to your health. As long as asbestos is not disturbed, damaged or worn, or the material is sealed, it is not considered a health hazard.
If you're thinking of buying a house that needs remodeling, or planning to remodel your current home, hire a qualified AHERA inspector to survey the house for asbestos before you buy or remodel. Improper handling of asbestos-containing materials can be expensive.
Does your house have asbestos-containing materials?
Note: The following list does not include every product or material that may contain asbestos. It is intended as a general guide to show which types of materials may contain asbestos.
* Cement pipes
* Cement wallboard
* Cement siding
* Asphalt floor tile
* Vinyl floor tile
* Vinyl sheet flooring
* Flooring backing
* Construction mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
* Acoustical plaster
* Decorative plaster
* Textured paints/coatings
* Ceiling tiles and lay-in panels
* Spray-applied insulation
* Blown-in insulation
* Fireproofing materials
* Taping compounds (thermal)
* Packing materials (for wall/floor penetrations)
* High temperature gaskets
* Laboratory hoods/table tops
* Laboratory gloves
* Fire blankets
* Fire curtains
* Elevator Equipment Panels
* Elevator brake shoes
* HVAC duct insulation
* Boiler insulation
* Breaching insulation
* Ductwork flexible fabric connections
* Cooling towers
* Pipe insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
* Heating and electrical ducts
* Electrical panel partitions
* Electrical cloth
* Electric wiring insulation
* Chalkboards
* Roofing shingles
* Roofing felt
* Base flashing
* Thermal paper products
* Fire doors
* Caulking/putties
* Adhesives
* Wallboard
* Joint compounds
* Vinyl wall coverings
* Spackling compounds
Be safe! Treat all suspect materials as if they contain asbestos until you know for sure.
You cannot identify asbestos by looking at it. The only safe way to find out if material contains asbestos is to have a laboratory analyze a sample of the suspect material.
Removal of Asbestos
Sears, Roebuck and Co. will pay a civil penalty of $55,000 to the State of Massachusetts for a violation of its Clean Air Act and Consumer Portection Act following the improper removal of asbestos from a customer’s home. The story in the Wicked Local Pembroke reports Sears contractors improperly removed asbestos when replacing a boiler in October 2004.
The news agency reports that the complaint filed in Suffolk Superior Court notes that Sears assured its customer that it could remove an existing boiler, which contained asbestos insulation, and replace it with a new one, safely and cost-effectively. The complaint says Sears assured the customer the workers would be properly licensed and trained.
However, the workers who arrived to complete the work - a plumber and second subcontractor - were not licensed or trained to handle asbestos. The complaint notes that the workers removed the existing boiler wearing no protective gear, did not seal the area, and dropped the boiler, breaking it open and releasing asbestos into the air when the insulation crumbled. The workers cleaned up the spilled asbestos insulation material with their bare hands, and disposed of it in regular black trashbags, the Wicked Local reports.
Asbestos dust was released into the air in the customers’ basement and first-floor area, exposing them to carcinogens. Asbestos is linked to the development of asbestos related diseases including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), contractors need to determine whether asbestos is present pior to conducting any renovation or demolition activity. Companies doing work on a project that possibly contains asbestos are required to hire a Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) certified asbestos abatement contractor.
If asbestos is present, there are MassDEP requirements for anyone handling asbestos, including special supplies and equipment, specific work practices including setting up a containment area, air filtration equipment, packaging and labeling of waste. If the area is contaminated by improper handling of asbestos, MassDEP says, cleanup procedures specific to the job are required.
Contractors should check with their state office of Environmental Protection or Occupational Safety before beginning any project that may involve asbestos, as regulations may vary from state to state.
According to the Massachusetts complaint, Sears subcontractors never notified their Department of Environmental Protection or filed an Asbestos Notification Form when removing the boiler.
The Wicked Local reports part of the settlement will require Sears to develop and implement a customized asbestos training program for salespeople and managers, and to provide enhanced supervision on all jobs where asbestos may be present.
The news agency reports that the complaint filed in Suffolk Superior Court notes that Sears assured its customer that it could remove an existing boiler, which contained asbestos insulation, and replace it with a new one, safely and cost-effectively. The complaint says Sears assured the customer the workers would be properly licensed and trained.
However, the workers who arrived to complete the work - a plumber and second subcontractor - were not licensed or trained to handle asbestos. The complaint notes that the workers removed the existing boiler wearing no protective gear, did not seal the area, and dropped the boiler, breaking it open and releasing asbestos into the air when the insulation crumbled. The workers cleaned up the spilled asbestos insulation material with their bare hands, and disposed of it in regular black trashbags, the Wicked Local reports.
Asbestos dust was released into the air in the customers’ basement and first-floor area, exposing them to carcinogens. Asbestos is linked to the development of asbestos related diseases including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), contractors need to determine whether asbestos is present pior to conducting any renovation or demolition activity. Companies doing work on a project that possibly contains asbestos are required to hire a Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) certified asbestos abatement contractor.
If asbestos is present, there are MassDEP requirements for anyone handling asbestos, including special supplies and equipment, specific work practices including setting up a containment area, air filtration equipment, packaging and labeling of waste. If the area is contaminated by improper handling of asbestos, MassDEP says, cleanup procedures specific to the job are required.
Contractors should check with their state office of Environmental Protection or Occupational Safety before beginning any project that may involve asbestos, as regulations may vary from state to state.
According to the Massachusetts complaint, Sears subcontractors never notified their Department of Environmental Protection or filed an Asbestos Notification Form when removing the boiler.
The Wicked Local reports part of the settlement will require Sears to develop and implement a customized asbestos training program for salespeople and managers, and to provide enhanced supervision on all jobs where asbestos may be present.
Fibrous Silicate
Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, and in thermal insulation, fire proofing and other building materials. Many products in use today contain asbestos.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when asbestos- containing materials are damaged or disturbed. When these fibers get into the air they may be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems.
This page provides access to information about asbestos. On this Web site, you may access general information about asbestos and its health effects. You may also read about what to do if you suspect asbestos in products, in your home or in your school (en español- asbesto en las escuelas).
If you wish to obtain more information on asbestos, EPA maintains a listing of asbestos resources available to the public. If you would like to locate an asbestos contact, EPA maintains a listing of federal and state asbestos contacts.
The National Directory of AHERA Accredited Courses (NDAAC) contains information about training providers and approved courses nationwide and is meant to serve as a comprehensive reference and resource document. It should be useful for those training providers who offer accredited asbestos courses and to all consumers of these training services. It is also intended for use by federal and state agencies involved in the training and accreditation of asbestos control professionals under the federal law, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
EPA maintains a listing of the laws and regulations applicable to asbestos. A 1989 regulation to ban most asbestos-containing products was later overturned in court.
Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when asbestos- containing materials are damaged or disturbed. When these fibers get into the air they may be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems.
This page provides access to information about asbestos. On this Web site, you may access general information about asbestos and its health effects. You may also read about what to do if you suspect asbestos in products, in your home or in your school (en español- asbesto en las escuelas).
If you wish to obtain more information on asbestos, EPA maintains a listing of asbestos resources available to the public. If you would like to locate an asbestos contact, EPA maintains a listing of federal and state asbestos contacts.
The National Directory of AHERA Accredited Courses (NDAAC) contains information about training providers and approved courses nationwide and is meant to serve as a comprehensive reference and resource document. It should be useful for those training providers who offer accredited asbestos courses and to all consumers of these training services. It is also intended for use by federal and state agencies involved in the training and accreditation of asbestos control professionals under the federal law, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
EPA maintains a listing of the laws and regulations applicable to asbestos. A 1989 regulation to ban most asbestos-containing products was later overturned in court.
Abatement Practices
SHC furnishes all labor, materials, employee training, pollution, general liability, errors and omissions insurance coverage, expertise, and equipment necessary to carry out specified asbestos abatement projects. SHC will also secure all required permits including any necessary state, regional and local licenses. Although the owner is responsible for providing required notification to the EPA and any regional, state or local authority having jurisdiction on projects for asbestos removal, SHC will provide assistance to the owner as required.
Qualification Submittals
For each project SHC submits the following materials in order to establish our competency and capability to perform the specified work:
§ Work and educational qualifications and other background information that attests to the ability of SHC and its staff to competently complete the asbestos abatement tasks in question.
§ Proof that all air samples will be analyzed in a qualified laboratory: i.e., a laboratory that participates in the NIOSH Proficiency Analytical Testing Program (PAT) and has been found proficient, or a laboratory that is accredited by the AIHA for asbestos.
§ Proof that all workers have been trained in an EPA-approved asbestos training course and that all site supervisors have attended an EPA-approved abatement supervisory training course appropriate for the specific job.
§ Proof that all workers have had medical examinations as required by OSHA.
§ The name of the landfill that will be used for asbestos disposal and assurance that all regulations/laws pertaining to such disposal will be met in the form of a disposal manifest signed by the owner, transporter and landfill operator.
§ Evidence of legitimate asbestos-specific general liability insurance coverage, workman's compensation insurance and vehicle insurance.
§ When required by the client, an industrial hygienist will be provided to oversee the implementation of all aspects of safety and health procedures.
Qualification Submittals
For each project SHC submits the following materials in order to establish our competency and capability to perform the specified work:
§ Work and educational qualifications and other background information that attests to the ability of SHC and its staff to competently complete the asbestos abatement tasks in question.
§ Proof that all air samples will be analyzed in a qualified laboratory: i.e., a laboratory that participates in the NIOSH Proficiency Analytical Testing Program (PAT) and has been found proficient, or a laboratory that is accredited by the AIHA for asbestos.
§ Proof that all workers have been trained in an EPA-approved asbestos training course and that all site supervisors have attended an EPA-approved abatement supervisory training course appropriate for the specific job.
§ Proof that all workers have had medical examinations as required by OSHA.
§ The name of the landfill that will be used for asbestos disposal and assurance that all regulations/laws pertaining to such disposal will be met in the form of a disposal manifest signed by the owner, transporter and landfill operator.
§ Evidence of legitimate asbestos-specific general liability insurance coverage, workman's compensation insurance and vehicle insurance.
§ When required by the client, an industrial hygienist will be provided to oversee the implementation of all aspects of safety and health procedures.
Overview
While initially quiet, the connections between asbestos exposures and respiratory health consequences have been whispered about since the 1950’s. Unfortunately, its use continued to be widespread until the late 1970’s when it was officially banned by the U.S. federal government.
Contrary to popular belief, not all asbestos is truly hazardous. When asbestos-containing materials (materials containing 1% or more asbestos) are structurally intact, they are generally not hazardous as their fibers aren’t available for inhalation. However, when the fibers are damaged, they are rendered friable. The official working definition for friable materials is those which are able to be crushed or destroyed by human hand pressure. If any asbestos-containing material is in this condition it is potentially hazardous and necessitating abatement.
Asbestos abatement is a growing industry in which safe removal of asbestos is overseen by regulated firms. Each asbestos abatement firm must obtain a state license to practice abatement within a given state. Regulations and guidelines are stringent with regards to the safe ways to handle and dispose of friable asbestos material.
Under no circumstances should any unlicensed person conduct abatement activities unless under consultation with an abatement firm or state guidelines concerning the proper procedures. Unlicensed abatement can lead to potentially harmful inhalation of friable asbestos fibers, which can have serious health consequences. For more information contact a licensed asbestos abatement firm and be sure to read up on local guidelines for asbestos removal in your area.
Contrary to popular belief, not all asbestos is truly hazardous. When asbestos-containing materials (materials containing 1% or more asbestos) are structurally intact, they are generally not hazardous as their fibers aren’t available for inhalation. However, when the fibers are damaged, they are rendered friable. The official working definition for friable materials is those which are able to be crushed or destroyed by human hand pressure. If any asbestos-containing material is in this condition it is potentially hazardous and necessitating abatement.
Asbestos abatement is a growing industry in which safe removal of asbestos is overseen by regulated firms. Each asbestos abatement firm must obtain a state license to practice abatement within a given state. Regulations and guidelines are stringent with regards to the safe ways to handle and dispose of friable asbestos material.
Under no circumstances should any unlicensed person conduct abatement activities unless under consultation with an abatement firm or state guidelines concerning the proper procedures. Unlicensed abatement can lead to potentially harmful inhalation of friable asbestos fibers, which can have serious health consequences. For more information contact a licensed asbestos abatement firm and be sure to read up on local guidelines for asbestos removal in your area.
Environmental Health & Safety
Asbestos Abatement
This section of Environmental Health & Safety is responsible for the testing and abatement or removal of asbestos containing materials on OSU property. Considering the size and number of these buildings,
this is a large task for the 10-member crew.
All abatement and removal is conducted according to rules and regulations set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Labor. These regulations require yearly refresher training courses and worker re-certification.
Not every pipe and ceiling tile contains asbestos material, but whether it does or not cannot be determined by the naked eye. Samples of the suspect material (collected by licensed workers) are analyzed under a microscope (using polarized light microscopy) in the EHS laboratory (its license is limited to asbestos projects on University property). Every sample is positive until proven otherwise.
Asbestos is removed only when required for renovation, remodeling or maintenance. This usually involves moving ceiling tile, repairing plumbing or anything else that contains asbestos. It is the responsibility of campus maintenance personnel or contractors to arrange for inspection and/or removal of asbestos by EHS.
Emergency removal is conducted when asbestos has been accidentally disturbed--usually because of water leaks involving contaminated ceiling tile. The affected area is immediately evacuated and secured, all air handlers serving that area are shut down, and the "spill" is reported to the Oklahoma Department of Labor. Every effort is made to return the affected area to its normal occupancy as soon as possible.
Abatement is done inside enclosures to prevent the fibers from spreading. Air handling units serving the affected area are turned off until the work is completed to keep the fibers from spreading to other areas. Workers wear respirators and disposable coveralls to protect themselves while working. To prevent any attached fibers from getting into the surrounding air, the coveralls are disposed of when the worker exits the enclosure.
When a job has been completed, samples of the surrounding air are analyzed under a phase-contrast microscope. Based upon the results, the area is either cleared or re-cleaned and re-sampled. If the area is declared "clear," it is opened to normal occupancy and all warning signs are removed.
Asbestos--What Is It?
Asbestos is a generic term for a group of minerals known for their strength, flame and heat resistance, and seemingly indestructible qualities.
Once considered a “miracle mineral,” asbestos was used for many years in building construction. It can be found in many forms and places. Asbestos was used in boiler and pipe insulation, plasters, floor tile, electrical insulation, and as a fireproofing material on structural members in buildings. It has also been sprayed on ceilings and walls as acoustic insulation.
Because of its indestructible qualities, asbestos is harmful to the human body. The body cannot digest, break down, or change asbestos; it can only attempt to encapsulate it with scar tissue.
Several types of asbestos were banned by the EPA in the mid-70’s due to concern over the health effects (especially cancer) associated with exposure to such materials. It is important to remember that asbestos generally has been found to be hazardous to humans when it is inhaled into the lungs.
Asbestos occurs naturally as a fiber; individual fibers are so small they are invisible to the naked eye. Most asbestos is not hazardous in its original, undisturbed state; only when it is disturbed does it release asbestos fibers.
Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not occur soon after exposure. Those who are sick today because of asbestos may have been exposed 20 to 40 years ago. Controlling exposures now will prevent disease and suffering decades later.
This section of Environmental Health & Safety is responsible for the testing and abatement or removal of asbestos containing materials on OSU property. Considering the size and number of these buildings,
this is a large task for the 10-member crew.
All abatement and removal is conducted according to rules and regulations set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Labor. These regulations require yearly refresher training courses and worker re-certification.
Not every pipe and ceiling tile contains asbestos material, but whether it does or not cannot be determined by the naked eye. Samples of the suspect material (collected by licensed workers) are analyzed under a microscope (using polarized light microscopy) in the EHS laboratory (its license is limited to asbestos projects on University property). Every sample is positive until proven otherwise.
Asbestos is removed only when required for renovation, remodeling or maintenance. This usually involves moving ceiling tile, repairing plumbing or anything else that contains asbestos. It is the responsibility of campus maintenance personnel or contractors to arrange for inspection and/or removal of asbestos by EHS.
Emergency removal is conducted when asbestos has been accidentally disturbed--usually because of water leaks involving contaminated ceiling tile. The affected area is immediately evacuated and secured, all air handlers serving that area are shut down, and the "spill" is reported to the Oklahoma Department of Labor. Every effort is made to return the affected area to its normal occupancy as soon as possible.
Abatement is done inside enclosures to prevent the fibers from spreading. Air handling units serving the affected area are turned off until the work is completed to keep the fibers from spreading to other areas. Workers wear respirators and disposable coveralls to protect themselves while working. To prevent any attached fibers from getting into the surrounding air, the coveralls are disposed of when the worker exits the enclosure.
When a job has been completed, samples of the surrounding air are analyzed under a phase-contrast microscope. Based upon the results, the area is either cleared or re-cleaned and re-sampled. If the area is declared "clear," it is opened to normal occupancy and all warning signs are removed.
Asbestos--What Is It?
Asbestos is a generic term for a group of minerals known for their strength, flame and heat resistance, and seemingly indestructible qualities.
Once considered a “miracle mineral,” asbestos was used for many years in building construction. It can be found in many forms and places. Asbestos was used in boiler and pipe insulation, plasters, floor tile, electrical insulation, and as a fireproofing material on structural members in buildings. It has also been sprayed on ceilings and walls as acoustic insulation.
Because of its indestructible qualities, asbestos is harmful to the human body. The body cannot digest, break down, or change asbestos; it can only attempt to encapsulate it with scar tissue.
Several types of asbestos were banned by the EPA in the mid-70’s due to concern over the health effects (especially cancer) associated with exposure to such materials. It is important to remember that asbestos generally has been found to be hazardous to humans when it is inhaled into the lungs.
Asbestos occurs naturally as a fiber; individual fibers are so small they are invisible to the naked eye. Most asbestos is not hazardous in its original, undisturbed state; only when it is disturbed does it release asbestos fibers.
Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not occur soon after exposure. Those who are sick today because of asbestos may have been exposed 20 to 40 years ago. Controlling exposures now will prevent disease and suffering decades later.
Asbestos Theory
Asbestos Abatement
As a licensed and responsible professional you must be aware of and identify the presence or absence of these materials when dealing with building retrofits. Failure to advise your client(s) or contractors working on a project of the presence of hazardous materials in and/or on a property may present you with potential future liabilities. It is your obligation to protect the interests of your client(s), the health and safety of workers, and the natural environment.
National Environmental Contracting will arrange an independent consultant for hazardous materials and other potential environmental concerns on residential, commercial and industrial properties. Each assessment includes sampling of all suspected hazardous materials, confirmatory laboratory analysis and complete reporting of all findings. We can also complete specifications and tender packages for any required remedial activities and perform project management services.
All environmental consultants and environmental engineers are licensed, have errors and omissions insurance and pollution, asbestos and environmental coverage.
What to Do if You Have It
North America has become asbestos conscious. With so many buildings and facilities containing asbestos, the prudent building manager must implement an Asbestos Management and Maintenance Program.
Beginning in the 1920's and continuing into the mid 1970's asbestos insulation and building material were widely used in the construction industry due to its low cost, strength and ability to withstand high temperatures. In Canada, there are thousands of miles of asbestos pipe covered materials. However, it is not always economically feasible or desirable to carry out removal procedures.
The Asbestos Management and Maintenance Program
STEP ONE: Assessment and Survey
The first step of the Asbestos Management Program is to do an asbestos survey to assess the location, identify the type of asbestos, the condition of the asbestos and identify a maintenance record. This asbestos inventory or assessment is usually carried out by an independent consulting firm. This assessment or survey will include:
1. Identification and location of the Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)
2. Assessing the condition of asbestos and its accessibility.
3. Preparing a long term plan to outline the corrective action(s) to be taken and the immediate and long-term costs associated with the corrective action(s).
STEP TWO: Notification
Once the assessment or survey is completed, this will allow the building manager to implement the second step of the program, which includes notifying tenants, custodial and maintenance staff, building maintenance and service contractors. This notification includes identifying the location of the asbestos containing materials.
STEP THREE: Worker Training
A Health and Safety Training Program should be established including an inspection policy and employee training program. Employees who are most likely to come into contact or work with asbestos should be included. Good communication is vital. All sub trades and maintenance contractors should be notified.
STEP FOUR: Corrective Measures - Correction and Remedial Action
Where the survey or assessment has identified Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) which are severely damaged or deteriorated, the building manager then decides which of the following three methods of corrective or remedial measures are going to be used.
1. Removal By Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 Operational Procedures As a rule, removal will initially be the most expensive method. However, depending on the circumstances, in the long run, asbestos removal can be an economically preferred option. Removal of asbestos is the only permanent solution.
In most cases, where Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) are removed, an appropriate substitute material must be reinstalled. Fibreglass pipe covering is a widely used product and the costs associated with supplying and installing this new material are relatively low.
In Type 3 Operational Procedures, an eight chamber Decontamination Structure is installed. A Dirty Area Room, Garbage Storage Area and Clean Area & Room with airlocks are temporarily installed. These Decon's have filtered showering facilities. The water is filtered through a .05 micron filter collected into 45-55 gallon drums for testing prior to any discharge.
Under Type 3, the area is kept constantly under negative pressure. HEPA Filtered Negative Air Pressure Units are installed strategically and vented outside. All electrical equipment, HEPA Vacuums, temporary lighting and Negative HEPA Air Units are hooked up to temporary Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) panels. The area will have electrical lockouts where required.
2. Encapsulation Encapsulation is a successful option in dealing with asbestos and involves covering the asbestos with a sealant.
Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM), all piping, elbows, boilers and all mechanical insulation covered with ACM and asbestos are HEPA vacuumed and covered with a canvas fire-rated adhesive sealant (encapsulation). Depending on the application, there are a number of types of sealant.
The sealant's function is to enclose and prevent the asbestos fibres from breaking away from the material. In the case of asbestos pipe insulation, elbows or trees, a canvas with a fire retardant lockdown adhesive lagging is applied to cover and provide a hard-shell coating.
Encapsulation requires periodic inspections, quarterly or annually, to monitor the condition of the Asbestos Containing Materials.
2. Enclosure The Enclosure method permanently closes the asbestos. The enclosure must be completely airtight and this method is best used only where access to electrical, plumbing or ventilation services are not required.
STEP FIVE: Hiring an Asbestos Control Contractor
The Asbestos Control Contractor should be experienced in all of the three methods mentioned above: Removal, Encapsulation and Enclosure and Insulation procedures.
References must be checked thoroughly to determine the quality of services:
* was the client satisfied with the contractor's performance?
* was the contractor's staff knowledgeable and fully trained?
* did they complete the job on time?
* what is the availability and schedule performance?
PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL AND CORPORATE ASSETS
For Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) that require immediate attention, a qualified Asbestos Control Contractor can be retained on the following terms:
1. GUARANTEED PRICE CONTRACT - to complete the initial removal or encapsulation work required by the consultant's recommendations, for a fixed lump sum price.
2. SERVICE CONTRACT - on standing offer and on a time and material basis. The contractor must be available to service your asbestos, just as your mechanical contractor services you air conditioning. Every building manager should have an Asbestos Service Contractor in case of an emergency.
One requirement of the regulation governing asbestos on construction sites is the classification of the work. This classification can be thought of in terms of work representing a high (Type 3) or medium (Type 2) or low hazard (Type 1). In evaluating the hazard, there are two necessary considerations:
* the airborne concentrations of asbestos that will be generated by the work
* the duration of the exposure
Factors that effect the level of airborne asbestos include the following:
* the nature of the asbestos materials
* how the work is performed - Quality and Health and Safety Training
* the availability of controls to limit exposure
Conclusion
The key factors are in a successful Asbestos Management and Maintenance Program are management, communication and control. You and your company must implement an asbestos management control program and define the company's asbestos policy in a long term plan.
The long term plan allows you to be in control of the asbestos and be ready to respond quickly and decisively and to avoid costly emergency crisis situation.
As a licensed and responsible professional you must be aware of and identify the presence or absence of these materials when dealing with building retrofits. Failure to advise your client(s) or contractors working on a project of the presence of hazardous materials in and/or on a property may present you with potential future liabilities. It is your obligation to protect the interests of your client(s), the health and safety of workers, and the natural environment.
National Environmental Contracting will arrange an independent consultant for hazardous materials and other potential environmental concerns on residential, commercial and industrial properties. Each assessment includes sampling of all suspected hazardous materials, confirmatory laboratory analysis and complete reporting of all findings. We can also complete specifications and tender packages for any required remedial activities and perform project management services.
All environmental consultants and environmental engineers are licensed, have errors and omissions insurance and pollution, asbestos and environmental coverage.
What to Do if You Have It
North America has become asbestos conscious. With so many buildings and facilities containing asbestos, the prudent building manager must implement an Asbestos Management and Maintenance Program.
Beginning in the 1920's and continuing into the mid 1970's asbestos insulation and building material were widely used in the construction industry due to its low cost, strength and ability to withstand high temperatures. In Canada, there are thousands of miles of asbestos pipe covered materials. However, it is not always economically feasible or desirable to carry out removal procedures.
The Asbestos Management and Maintenance Program
STEP ONE: Assessment and Survey
The first step of the Asbestos Management Program is to do an asbestos survey to assess the location, identify the type of asbestos, the condition of the asbestos and identify a maintenance record. This asbestos inventory or assessment is usually carried out by an independent consulting firm. This assessment or survey will include:
1. Identification and location of the Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)
2. Assessing the condition of asbestos and its accessibility.
3. Preparing a long term plan to outline the corrective action(s) to be taken and the immediate and long-term costs associated with the corrective action(s).
STEP TWO: Notification
Once the assessment or survey is completed, this will allow the building manager to implement the second step of the program, which includes notifying tenants, custodial and maintenance staff, building maintenance and service contractors. This notification includes identifying the location of the asbestos containing materials.
STEP THREE: Worker Training
A Health and Safety Training Program should be established including an inspection policy and employee training program. Employees who are most likely to come into contact or work with asbestos should be included. Good communication is vital. All sub trades and maintenance contractors should be notified.
STEP FOUR: Corrective Measures - Correction and Remedial Action
Where the survey or assessment has identified Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) which are severely damaged or deteriorated, the building manager then decides which of the following three methods of corrective or remedial measures are going to be used.
1. Removal By Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 Operational Procedures As a rule, removal will initially be the most expensive method. However, depending on the circumstances, in the long run, asbestos removal can be an economically preferred option. Removal of asbestos is the only permanent solution.
In most cases, where Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) are removed, an appropriate substitute material must be reinstalled. Fibreglass pipe covering is a widely used product and the costs associated with supplying and installing this new material are relatively low.
In Type 3 Operational Procedures, an eight chamber Decontamination Structure is installed. A Dirty Area Room, Garbage Storage Area and Clean Area & Room with airlocks are temporarily installed. These Decon's have filtered showering facilities. The water is filtered through a .05 micron filter collected into 45-55 gallon drums for testing prior to any discharge.
Under Type 3, the area is kept constantly under negative pressure. HEPA Filtered Negative Air Pressure Units are installed strategically and vented outside. All electrical equipment, HEPA Vacuums, temporary lighting and Negative HEPA Air Units are hooked up to temporary Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) panels. The area will have electrical lockouts where required.
2. Encapsulation Encapsulation is a successful option in dealing with asbestos and involves covering the asbestos with a sealant.
Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM), all piping, elbows, boilers and all mechanical insulation covered with ACM and asbestos are HEPA vacuumed and covered with a canvas fire-rated adhesive sealant (encapsulation). Depending on the application, there are a number of types of sealant.
The sealant's function is to enclose and prevent the asbestos fibres from breaking away from the material. In the case of asbestos pipe insulation, elbows or trees, a canvas with a fire retardant lockdown adhesive lagging is applied to cover and provide a hard-shell coating.
Encapsulation requires periodic inspections, quarterly or annually, to monitor the condition of the Asbestos Containing Materials.
2. Enclosure The Enclosure method permanently closes the asbestos. The enclosure must be completely airtight and this method is best used only where access to electrical, plumbing or ventilation services are not required.
STEP FIVE: Hiring an Asbestos Control Contractor
The Asbestos Control Contractor should be experienced in all of the three methods mentioned above: Removal, Encapsulation and Enclosure and Insulation procedures.
References must be checked thoroughly to determine the quality of services:
* was the client satisfied with the contractor's performance?
* was the contractor's staff knowledgeable and fully trained?
* did they complete the job on time?
* what is the availability and schedule performance?
PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL AND CORPORATE ASSETS
For Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) that require immediate attention, a qualified Asbestos Control Contractor can be retained on the following terms:
1. GUARANTEED PRICE CONTRACT - to complete the initial removal or encapsulation work required by the consultant's recommendations, for a fixed lump sum price.
2. SERVICE CONTRACT - on standing offer and on a time and material basis. The contractor must be available to service your asbestos, just as your mechanical contractor services you air conditioning. Every building manager should have an Asbestos Service Contractor in case of an emergency.
One requirement of the regulation governing asbestos on construction sites is the classification of the work. This classification can be thought of in terms of work representing a high (Type 3) or medium (Type 2) or low hazard (Type 1). In evaluating the hazard, there are two necessary considerations:
* the airborne concentrations of asbestos that will be generated by the work
* the duration of the exposure
Factors that effect the level of airborne asbestos include the following:
* the nature of the asbestos materials
* how the work is performed - Quality and Health and Safety Training
* the availability of controls to limit exposure
Conclusion
The key factors are in a successful Asbestos Management and Maintenance Program are management, communication and control. You and your company must implement an asbestos management control program and define the company's asbestos policy in a long term plan.
The long term plan allows you to be in control of the asbestos and be ready to respond quickly and decisively and to avoid costly emergency crisis situation.
Asbestos Abatement Effects
Asbestos Abatement
Once hailed as a "miracle" mineral, asbestos has been used since the early 1900s for fireproofing, insulation and sound control. Time, however, has proven asbestos to be a significant health hazard, being linked to a serious lung disease and two types of cancer.
Health Effects of Asbestos
The most dangerous asbestos fibers are too small to be visible. After they are inhaled, they can remain and accumulate in the lungs. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings), and asbestosis (irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal). Symptoms of these diseases do not show up until many years after exposure began. Most people with asbestos-related diseases were exposed to elevated concentrations on the job; some developed disease from exposure to clothing and equipment brought home from job sites.
Corvera Abatement Technologies has the expertise, the experience and the equipment to protect yourself, your staff, and the environment from the hazards of this dangerous material. Using state-of-the-art equipment, advanced systems, and fully trained and certified workers, we can help you meet your legal, health, and safety requirements.
Removal
We have the facilities for removal and proper disposal of pipe, duct, boiler, and other insulations, sprayed-on fire retardant and sound insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, panel boards, and other asbestos-containing products. All work is performed in full accordance with federal, state and local regulations.
Containment
In many cases, containment may provide an equally satisfactory and less costly solution to the dangers of asbestos exposure. Procedures may include encapsulation, coating, and/or removal of deteriorating sections only. Procedures and materials meet federal and local standards.
Management
Where no immediate danger is posed, an ongoing operations & maintenance (O&M) asbestos management program may provide necessary levels of safety assurance. The O&M program may include such elements as building surveys, hazard assessment, regular inspection, testing and analysis of materials, air sampling, and contingency removal or containment plans.
Once hailed as a "miracle" mineral, asbestos has been used since the early 1900s for fireproofing, insulation and sound control. Time, however, has proven asbestos to be a significant health hazard, being linked to a serious lung disease and two types of cancer.
Health Effects of Asbestos
The most dangerous asbestos fibers are too small to be visible. After they are inhaled, they can remain and accumulate in the lungs. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings), and asbestosis (irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal). Symptoms of these diseases do not show up until many years after exposure began. Most people with asbestos-related diseases were exposed to elevated concentrations on the job; some developed disease from exposure to clothing and equipment brought home from job sites.
Corvera Abatement Technologies has the expertise, the experience and the equipment to protect yourself, your staff, and the environment from the hazards of this dangerous material. Using state-of-the-art equipment, advanced systems, and fully trained and certified workers, we can help you meet your legal, health, and safety requirements.
Removal
We have the facilities for removal and proper disposal of pipe, duct, boiler, and other insulations, sprayed-on fire retardant and sound insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, panel boards, and other asbestos-containing products. All work is performed in full accordance with federal, state and local regulations.
Containment
In many cases, containment may provide an equally satisfactory and less costly solution to the dangers of asbestos exposure. Procedures may include encapsulation, coating, and/or removal of deteriorating sections only. Procedures and materials meet federal and local standards.
Management
Where no immediate danger is posed, an ongoing operations & maintenance (O&M) asbestos management program may provide necessary levels of safety assurance. The O&M program may include such elements as building surveys, hazard assessment, regular inspection, testing and analysis of materials, air sampling, and contingency removal or containment plans.
Asbestos Abatement
Asbestos was once a commonly used building material because it is not affected by heat or chemicals and does not conduct electricity. Now, however, it is considered a serious indoor air pollutant with links to such serious respiratory diseases as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Asbestos was used in many products that were installed in Illinois' schools and commercial buildings for decades.
In the mid-1980s, newly enacted state and federal legislation required that schools be inspected for asbestos and that plans for its management be developed. The Department's Division of Environmental Health reviews asbestos management plans for elementary and secondary school facilities and inspects abatement projects to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. More recently enacted legislation regulates persons who perform asbestos-related activities in commercial and public buildings and requires that such activities be carried out safely. People who manage or abate asbestos in elementary and secondary schools must be trained and licensed. Now, more than 10,000 people are licensed each year.
The Division of Environmental Health has established separate licensing criteria for various asbestos management disciplines. All licenses expire on May 15 each year, except Workers, which expire on February 1 each year.
Asbestos Workers & Contractors
*
Workers who manage or abate asbestos in schools, commercial, or public buildings must be trained and licensed.
* Contractors are responsible for conducting asbestos abatement projects. All contractors who conduct asbestos abatement projects must have insurance and are required to be licensed.
Asbestos Professionals (Supervisors, Project Managers, Air Sampling Professionals, Project Designers, Inspectors, Management Planners)
* Supervisors are the Contractor's designees on asbestos abatement projects and are responsible for ensuring that work is conducted in accordance with state and federal regulations.
* Project Managers are the building owner's or school district's representative on school projects and are responsible for ensuring that the workers and supervisors are complying with the contract specification and state and federal regulations. Projects Managers are not required to oversee asbestos abatement projects in commercial and public buildings, but if a building owner chooses to have an individual oversee the project, then the Department requires that the person be licensed.
* Air Sampling Professionals are responsible for taking air samples to determine the airborne concentration of asbestos inside and outside the work area. The Air Sampling Professional conducts aggressive clearance air monitoring at the end of asbestos abatement projects to ensure that the concentration of asbestos in the air is acceptable for reoccupation of the area.
* Project Designers are required to develop project designs for school buildings. The project designers are required to draw up specifications and contracts that contractors must follow to complete an asbestos abatement project that meets state and federal regulations. If a project design is developed for asbestos abatement in commercial and public buildings, then it must be completed by a licensed Project Designer.
* Inspectors are required to identify asbestos-containing materials by sampling suspected asbestos-containing materials discovered during an inspection.
* Management Planners are required to develop management plans based upon information from an Inspector. Each school in Illinois must develop and maintain an asbestos management plan describing the management of the school's asbestos-containing building materials. Commercial and public buildings in Illinois are not required to develop management plans.
In the mid-1980s, newly enacted state and federal legislation required that schools be inspected for asbestos and that plans for its management be developed. The Department's Division of Environmental Health reviews asbestos management plans for elementary and secondary school facilities and inspects abatement projects to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. More recently enacted legislation regulates persons who perform asbestos-related activities in commercial and public buildings and requires that such activities be carried out safely. People who manage or abate asbestos in elementary and secondary schools must be trained and licensed. Now, more than 10,000 people are licensed each year.
The Division of Environmental Health has established separate licensing criteria for various asbestos management disciplines. All licenses expire on May 15 each year, except Workers, which expire on February 1 each year.
Asbestos Workers & Contractors
*
Workers who manage or abate asbestos in schools, commercial, or public buildings must be trained and licensed.
* Contractors are responsible for conducting asbestos abatement projects. All contractors who conduct asbestos abatement projects must have insurance and are required to be licensed.
Asbestos Professionals (Supervisors, Project Managers, Air Sampling Professionals, Project Designers, Inspectors, Management Planners)
* Supervisors are the Contractor's designees on asbestos abatement projects and are responsible for ensuring that work is conducted in accordance with state and federal regulations.
* Project Managers are the building owner's or school district's representative on school projects and are responsible for ensuring that the workers and supervisors are complying with the contract specification and state and federal regulations. Projects Managers are not required to oversee asbestos abatement projects in commercial and public buildings, but if a building owner chooses to have an individual oversee the project, then the Department requires that the person be licensed.
* Air Sampling Professionals are responsible for taking air samples to determine the airborne concentration of asbestos inside and outside the work area. The Air Sampling Professional conducts aggressive clearance air monitoring at the end of asbestos abatement projects to ensure that the concentration of asbestos in the air is acceptable for reoccupation of the area.
* Project Designers are required to develop project designs for school buildings. The project designers are required to draw up specifications and contracts that contractors must follow to complete an asbestos abatement project that meets state and federal regulations. If a project design is developed for asbestos abatement in commercial and public buildings, then it must be completed by a licensed Project Designer.
* Inspectors are required to identify asbestos-containing materials by sampling suspected asbestos-containing materials discovered during an inspection.
* Management Planners are required to develop management plans based upon information from an Inspector. Each school in Illinois must develop and maintain an asbestos management plan describing the management of the school's asbestos-containing building materials. Commercial and public buildings in Illinois are not required to develop management plans.
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