NSSGA Mineral
Identification and
Management Guide
Employee Training Module
Revision date: June 2011
Introduction
 NSSGA supports rigorous regulation to prevent over-
exposure to harmful asbestos which has long been
regulated as a carcinogen.
 Very often analytical methods that were designed to
measure commercial asbestos in built environments
are inappropriately applied in natural environments
resulting in the misidentification of rock fragments as
asbestos.
Introduction
 In addition, naturally occurring asbestos may be
present in very small concentrations in some of the
same rock types as those that are mined for
aggregate production across the U.S.
 The aggregates industry does not have asbestos-
related disease in its workforce and has not been
associated with asbestos in its products.
Introduction
 In 2009 NSSGA published the Mineral Identification
and Management Guide to assess whether protocol
mineral fibers are present at aggregates operations.
 The purpose of this module is to provide a training
template to educate aggregates’ workforces about
how to differentiate between naturally occurring
asbestos and common rock fragments. The module
also provides some background and training on
implementation of the Guide.
Overview
 Asbestos - definition
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and characteristics
Rock fragment v.
asbestos fiber
Regulations
Health effects of
asbestos
Mineral ID &
Management Guide
Asbestos is naturally occurring
Asbestos defined
 Asbestos –
commercial term
referring to a group
of six regulated
mineral forms that
share a unique set of
physical properties
Asbestos defined
 Each of the six
regulated minerals
occurs in both
asbestiform and nonasbestiform or
prismatic variety.
Same chemical
composition, but
different structure
(morphology).
ASBESTOS
ROCK
Actinolite
asbestos
Actinolite
Actinolite asbestos is one of the six regulated asbestos
minerals. Non-asbestiform Actinolite is not regulated.
 Same chemical composition – Ca2(MgFe)5Si8O22(OH)2
 Different physical characteristics caused by geologic conditions –
temperature and pressure –RARE
 Crushing/processing ROCK will not produce ASBESTOS FIBERS
Two forms of the same substance
 Same chemical composition – H2O
 Different physical characteristics caused by
environmental conditions
 Crushing ice will not give you snowflakes
Asbestos characteristics
 Long, thin, flexible fibers or bundles of fibers…
 Parallel fibers with splayed ends
“aspect ratio”= length : width
Asbestos characteristics
 Other physical properties of
asbestos…
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high tensile strength
ability to be woven
resistance to chemical and
thermal decomposition
high electrical resistance
Asbestos characteristics
 “Commercial
asbestos” –
mined,
milled, and
processed…
Pipe insulation containing
chrysotile asbestos
Asbestos or Rock?
Asbestos: Long, thin flexible fibers….
Asbestos or Rock?
Asbestos or Rock?
Polarized Light Microscopy
Asbestos fibers
Non-asbestos cleavage fragments
It is critical to use a laboratory familiar with analyzing
naturally occurring (v. commercial) asbestos samples.
Asbestos Regulations
 OSHA Asbestos Standard
Promulgated 1986-1994
 PEL of 0.1 fiber/cc for six regulated minerals
 MSHA Asbestos Standard
 Old PEL was 2 fibers/cc
 New standard in 2008
 New PEL of 0.1 fiber/cc for six regulated
minerals
 California has regulations defining “restricted
material” as that containing ≥ 0.25% asbestos.

Health Effects of Asbestos
 Diseases caused by overexposure to asbestos
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Asbestosis
Lung cancer
Mesothelioma
 Asbestos related diseases
are not present in the
aggregates industry.
Non-asbestiform cleavage
fragments/ROCKS

No asbestos related disease is associated
with exposure to cleavage/rock fragments.

Peer reviewed studies established that asbestosis
and mesothelioma are not found in the
aggregates industry. All relevant cell toxicology,
epidemiological, and animal toxicology studies
were evaluated.

Studies were published in Journal of Regulatory
Toxicology & Pharmacology, VOL. 52, #1, OCT.
2008, SUPP. #1
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 NSSGA Mineral Identification and
Management Guide – August 2009

The Guide is applicable for any mine site located in
areas where igneous or metamorphic rock are mined for
aggregate, including sand and gravel pits derived
primarily from such igneous and metamorphic parent
material.
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
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Purpose of the Guide is to determine…
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The absence or presence of “protocol mineral fibers” in
the deposit.
Note: Protocol mineral fibers include the six regulated
asbestos minerals, all durable asbestiform amphiboles,
and all durable asbestiform zeolites such as erionite
and mordenite.
The mineralogy of any asbestiform material
The quantity and distribution of any asbestiform
minerals
Based on the findings, what steps, if any, may be
appropriate to manage the site and maintain sound
working conditions.
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 1 - Periodic on-site geologic inspections
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Annually, or at such periods established by a
geology professional, inspect each of the mines for
the possible presence of “protocol mineral fibers”
Results of the inspection should be documented
consistently with other company records and
procedures.
Train employees at site to ID and report suspect
material.
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 1. Periodic geologic inspection
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 2 - Program for Testing Settled Dust
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 2 - Program for Testing Settled Dust
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Sampling plates or containers are to be located in
surge tunnels or locations such that the sample
reflects a composite of the complete production of a
site.
Samples are collected semi-annually or quarterly
depending on the needs of the location.
The sample is analyzed by an approved laboratory
for asbestiform minerals.
If asbestiform minerals are identified, further steps
should be taken.
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic Survey
A Qualitative Geologic Survey should be conducted
at a mining site under any of the following conditions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed as a result of onsite inspections by the geology staff;
Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed in the settled dust
samples from a site as a result of ongoing Settled Dust
Program;
Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed at a site during
normal operations, as a result of drilling or other
geologic or mining activity; or
A governmental agency determines that protocol
mineral fibers may be present at a site.
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic Survey
Other reasons to do a qualitative geologic survey include:
 Expansion of operations at an existing mining site
which is subject to the guide
 Development of a greenfield site subject to this guide
as a mining site
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic Survey
 The purpose of this survey is to locate and define the
source and distribution of the protocol mineral fibers by a
detailed field assessment conducted by geology staff (or
consultant).
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 4 – Further steps
 If the Qualitative Geologic
Survey, in conjunction with a
comprehensive mine plan,
shows that protocol mineral
fibers may occur at a site a
plan for future action should
be developed.
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 4 – Further steps
May include…
 modification of the mine plan where protocol mineral fibers
occur;
 visual identification plan;
 increased settled dust sampling;
 product sampling.
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 4 – Further steps
May include…
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implementation of air sampling;
NSSGA/MSHA Noise and
Dust Workshop
Mineral Identification and
Management Guide
 Step 4 – Further steps
May include…
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Training
 Employee
 Customers
 Neighbors
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Medical Monitoring
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Medical monitoring can be an important part of your
employee health and safety program.
Refer to NSSGA Occupational Health Program for more
information.
Added Considerations for Use of this
Training Module
It is important to note that this training is intended for
two primary purposes. One is to train interested
parties on the NSSGA Mineral Identification &
Management Guide including its origins and
application. The other is as a template for an
employee training module as part of the
implementation of the Guide. In both uses, it is
critical that this training module be adapted for the
specific needs and issues relevant to the
company/organization. This should include adding
slides, deleting slides and modifying content as
appropriate.
Discussion and
Questions