Course Outline
The following topics will be covered:
Types & properties of asbestos
Uses of asbestos
Health effects of asbestos
General asbestos rule requirements
What is Asbestos?
Serpentine Rock (Chrysotile) - California State Rock
Close-up of Asbestos Fibers
Common Types of Asbestos
Chrysotile – most common
“White Asbestos”
Amosite
“Brown Asbestos”
Crocidolite – least used
“Blue Asbestos”
Chrysotile asbestos mine in Canada
Other types of asbestos Tremolite
(Libby vermiculite
mine-actually
winchite-richterite)
Actinolite
Anthophyllite
Vermiculite
Vermiculite ore
“Popped” Vermiculite
Vermiculite insulation in attics
Libby Vermiculite Mine
Photo of operating Libby mine
Zonolite insulation
Libby Mine site today
Uses of Asbestos
Asbestos = “inextinguishable”
 Egyptians; Greeks & Romans
 Middle Ages
 Industrial Revolution
 Twentieth century –
*World War II + next 30 years
Properties of Asbestos
Naturally occurring fibrous minerals
 Good tensile strength
 Flexibility
 Heat resistance
Asbestos ore
 Electrical resistance
 Good insulation
 Chemical resistance
Some Asbestos-Containing Materials*
(This list does not include every product/material that may contain asbestos. It
is intended as a general guide to show which types of materials may contain
asbestos.)
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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
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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
* Source: EPA
Some Asbestos-Containing Materials
(Continued)
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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
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Chalkboards
Roofing Shingles
Roofing Felt
Base Flashing
Thermal Paper Products
Fire Doors
Caulking/Putties
Adhesives
Wallboard
Joint Compounds
Vinyl Wall Coverings
Spackling Compounds
Asbestos is an Inhalation Hazard
Airborne asbestos fibers inhaled deep into the lung can
cause damage.
 Respirable fibers are
inhaled and deposited in
the lungs
 Body’s defense
mechanisms cannot break
down the fibers
 Fibers cause damage to
respiratory system
Damage occurs in the alveoli
Asbestos-related diseases
Asbestos can cause disabling respiratory disease and various
types of cancers if the fibers are inhaled.
- Asbestosis
- Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Other cancers
Smoking and Asbestos
Risk Multiplier
Lung Cancer Risks
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
No Exposure
70 per 100,000
lung cancer deaths
in general population
Asbestos
5x higher risk
than general
population
Smoking
10x higher
risk
Asbestos +
Smoking
50x to 90x
higher risk
Asbestosis Example
Photos ©RAVANESI@2000
Joe Darabant, 1949.
Joe, 1989.
Covered with
chrysotile asbestos
fibers. Worked for
30+ years at the
Johns-Manville Plant
in New Jersey, cutting
asbestos shingles
and making asbestos
block and pipecovering materials.
Forced to retire
in 1974 at age 50
from poor health;
he died from
asbestosis in
1990 at age 66.
Current worker exposure to asbestos
 An estimated 1.3 million workers are
exposed in U.S. today.
 In the construction industry, removal
renovation and demolition have
heaviest exposures.
 In general industry, exposure can
occur in:

manufacture of asbestos products

automotive brake and clutch
repair
housekeeping and custodial work
Some Washington State Statistics
3716 L & I asbestosis claims
filed in the last 20 years (1988 –
2007)
558 deaths in Washington from
mesothelioma in 1999-2005
(CDC data)
Mesothelioma deaths – 1979-2001
DOSH Citations in 2006-2008
- 362 inspections resulting in 935 violations
- 73% of these violations were cited serious
- $780,350 in penalties assessed.
Where could you be exposed to asbestos?
Asbestos had a variety of uses in building construction
completed before 1981. You could be exposed to asbestos
during inspection of the following activities in these older
buildings:
Asbestos removal projects
Building insulation maintenance or repair
Heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair
Insulated piping maintenance repair
Floor tile or flooring replacement or repair
Roofing or siding replacement or repair
Non-metal piping replacement or repair (cement-asbestos piping)
Brake shoe or pad replacement or repair
Wallboard(sheetrock) or wall plaster replacement or repair
“Popcorn ceiling” replacement or repair
Janitorial or maintenance work done in pre-1981 buildings
Building demolition
Brief history of U.S. asbestos regulation
British physicians noted that asbestos workers developed lung
disease in early 1900’s.
Lung disease noted in American asbestos workers in 1930’s. Some
companies actively suppressed this information.
Dr. Irving Selikoff at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York began studying
asbestos workers in 1960’s.
His published research led OSHA to adopt specific standard on
asbestos in early 1970’s.
OSHA lowered the PEL for asbestos several times through 1970’s,
1980’s and 1990’s.
Dr. Selikoff also warned against hazards to workers who were
spraying on asbestos insulation in the World Trade Center.
Thermal System Insulation (TSI)
Asbestos insulation on outdoor pipe
Air cell
pipes
Damaged insulation on
control valve
Thermal system insulation close-up
Asbestos air cell insulation (pipe insulation)
Visible asbestos fibers
“Mag” Pipe Insulation
Asbestos Duct Tape
More Thermal System Insulation
Asbestos insulated boiler
Asbestos insulated furnace
Asbestos gaskets, rope and packing
– may be round, flat or impregnated
with waterproof sealant
Asbestos rope
Damaged asbestos gasket
Asbestos fabric in HVAC system
Asbestos Ceiling Tile
Tile close-up
Usually in 1’ by 1’ or 2’ by 4’ sizes
Asbestos shingle siding
Asbestos Roofing Material
Nicolite asbestos roofing felt over skip
sheeting
Nicolite roofing debris
Popcorn overspray in electrical
junction box
Knob and Tube asbestos wiring
Asbestos wiring (knob and tube)
Vinyl asbestos and
asphalt asbestos flooring
Asbestos Sheet Vinyl
Uncontrolled sheet vinyl removal
Surfacing Material
Sprayed-on surfacing material
Acoustical material
Spray-on insulation containing asbestos
Asbestos fireproofing in ceiling and above dropped ceiling
Popcorn-orange peel-knock down
Surfacing Material
Dry popcorn ceiling removal
Popcorn Ceiling Material
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Uncontrolled popcorn
ceiling removal job
damaged and friable
popcorn ceiling material
Fire-damaged popcorn ceiling material
Ceiling showing damage
Popcorn ceiling material
dropped onto furniture
Chimney flue packing (mud)
containing asbestos
Asbestos Mill Board
Glue/Mastic buttons or
dots-ceiling
tile, chalk boards, cove base mastic
Cement-asbestos pipe (Transite)
Buried cement asbestos pipe
in Tri-cities area
Asbestos Window Putty
Asbestos Brake Pads & Discs
Asbestos in joint compound and plaster
Asbestos in electrical panel
Rock Wool Insulation – for comparison
How do asbestos fibers get in the air?
Asbestos is most hazardous when it is FRIABLE.
Physical disturbance of asbestos-containing
materials (ACM) suspends fibers in the air.
 Friable: can be easily
crumbled or crushed by
hand, releasing fibers into
the air
 Very small fibers stay in the
air for long periods
 Damaged or deteriorated
ACM increases friability
How do asbestos fibers get in the air?
Some typical activities and situations that can
result in asbestos exposure:
 Mechanical action on ACM
(cutting, sawing, grinding,
sanding, drilling, buffing, etc.)
 Disturbing/breaking ceiling tiles
 Removing/replacing insulation
 Disturbing sprayed-on asbestos
 Asbestos abatement projects
Debris from disturbance of
“popcorn” ceiling
 Un-surveyed construction projects
on older buildings
DOSH Asbestos Regulations
 RCW 49.26
Asbestos Safety Act
 WAC 296-62-077 Part I-1
Occupational Health-Asbestos
 WAC 296-65
Asbestos Certification & Training
 WAC 296-155-160
Construction regulations which refer
to WAC 296-62-077
EPA Asbestos Environmental Regulations
 AHERA (Asbestos Hazard
Emergency Response Act )
 NESHAP National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants)
Regulatory Agencies enforcing NESHAP
– Department of Ecology
– Local Air Pollution Authorities
– Washington State Department of Health & county health
departments
Building/Facility Owners Responsibilities
 Determine presence, location, and
quantity of any ACM/PACM
 Inform affected contractors, employees
and tenants
 Have “Good Faith” Inspection done
before any construction/maintenance
work or project bidding
 Allow only certified individuals to perform
work
 Submit Notice of Asbestos Abatement
Project to L&I at least ten days before
work begins
“ACM” and “PACM”
Asbestos Containing Material
Any material containing more than 1% asbestos by
weight.
Presumed Asbestos Containing Material
 Surfacing materials
Installed prior to
1981
 Thermal System Insulation
 Flooring
Must be handled as ACM unless
proved otherwise
"Good Faith" Inspection (Survey)
Required for all construction and maintenance:
 must be done by an
EPA-accredited AHERA
building inspector
 documented written report
 not required if assumed
and treated as ACM

Minimum fines of $250 per
day if not done

Both building owner and
contractor can be cited!
Employee exposure evaluation and monitoring
Permissible Exposure Limits
(PEL)
 0.1 fibers per cubic
centimeter of air (0.1 f/cc)
8-hour time weighted average
(TWA8)
 1.0 f/cc 30-minute short-term
exposure limit (STEL)
Certified Asbestos Worker (CAW)
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32 hours of initial training
Pass 100 question test
8 hour annual refresher training
Required for Class I asbestos work
Can do Class II asbestos work, but not
required
Certified Asbestos Supervisor (CAS)
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40 hours of initial training
Pass 100 question test
1,600 hours of experience required
8 hour annual refresher training
Required for Class I, II and III asbestos work
Subject to denial, suspension and revocation
of certification
Certified Asbestos Abatement Contractor
 Must have one or more Certified Asbestos
Supervisor
 Must be a Washington licensed contractor
 Renewed annually
 Subject to denial, suspension and revocation
of certification
Four Classes of Asbestos Work
 Class I - removal of thermal system
insulation and surfacing ACM/PACM
 Class II - removal of ACM which is not
thermal system insulation and surfacing
material
 Class III - Repair & maintenance operations
where ACM is disturbed
 Class IV - Maintenance & custodial activities
during which ACM is contacted, but not
disturbed
Class 1 Asbestos Abatement
• Requires Negative Pressure Enclosure (NPE)
(Glove bags for pipe runs)
• Requires 3 stage decontamination
• Requires separate waste load out
• Requires Certified Asbestos Supervisor
• Requires Certified Asbestos Workers
• Requires L & I Notification if > 48 sq. ft.
• Supplied air respiratory protection
• Requires air monitoring
• Initial monitoring
• Daily monitoring
• Clearance monitoring
Communication of Hazards
 Warning Signs
 for regulated areas
 visible before entering
 Warning Labels
 attached to all products and
their containers
AVOID BREATHING
AIRBORNE ASBESTOS
FIBERS
Exposure Control Program
Asbestos exposure must be controlled by one or more of the
following engineering and work practices:

Local exhaust ventilation
with HEPA filter system

HEPA-filtered vacuums

Enclosure, isolation

Wet methods

Intact handling

Clean-up, prompt disposal

Housekeeping
HEPA filter = high efficiency particulate air filter
Exposure Control Program Worker protection

Personal protective
Equipment (PPE)


Hygiene facilities

Decontamination shower
respirator, gloves, head
protection, foot protection,
coveralls
washing, decontamination,
change room
Class II Asbestos Work
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Requires critical barriers not NPE
Requires intact, non-mechanical removal
Requires wet methods
Requires Certified Asbestos Supervisor
Does not require Certified Asbestos Workers
• 8 hours of specific training
• Does not requires L & I Notification
• Air purifying respirators allowed (HEPA)
• Requires air monitoring
• Initial monitoring
• Daily monitoring
• Clearance monitoring
Specific requirements for other work
Automotive brake and clutch work
Roofing, flooring, siding and gaskets
Class III Asbestos Work
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Requires wet methods
Requires local exhaust ventilation if feasible
Must isolate the operation
Requires a Certified Asbestos Supervisor
Does not require Certified Asbestos Workers
– 16 hour of worker training required
– Annual refresher training required
 L & I notification not required
 Air monitoring required
Class IV Asbestos Work
 Contact but not disturb ACM / PACM
 Asbestos awareness training required
– 2 hours initial
– Annual refresher required
 No air monitoring required
 No Certified Asbestos Supervisor required
Custodial/Light maintenance work
Housekeeping and building maintenance activities may expose
workers to asbestos fibers if ACM/PACM is disturbed.
Activities:
 sweeping
 vacuuming
 cleaning
 changing lights
Damaged asbestos pipe insulation
Some materials of concern:
 vinyl asbestos tile
 exposed piping
 exposed fireproofing
 popcorn ceiling
Asbestos debris on floor
Custodial/Light maintenance work
Dry dust or sweep
surfaces, ceilings,
walls, or floors
Disturb ACM when
replacing light bulbs, etc.
DO NOT:
Pin or hang pictures,
plants, or objects on
walls or from ceilings
covered with asbestos
materials
Sand asbestos floor tiles
or backing material
Custodial/Light maintenance work
DO:
Dust with a damp cloth
Use only a HEPA-filtered
vacuum to clean up
asbestos debris
Wet mop floors
Medical Surveillance Program
 Medical evaluations for all workers who are:



exposed to asbestos concentrations at or
above PEL
performing certified asbestos work
30 or more days per year
 Annual examinations at no cost
to worker
 Records maintained duration of
employment + 30 years
General Contractors
 “Asbestos Abatement Projects” may be
subcontracted to a certified abatement
contractor.
 Regulation requirements for general
contractors
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Get good faith inspection from owner
Pass asbestos information to subs
Notify owner of new materials discovered
Ensure proper certification of subs and workers
Asbestos Certification - Contractors
Contractors must be certified when they conduct “Asbestos
Abatement Projects” (asbestos removal or encapsulation) in
the following conditions:
 A potential of fiber release
 More than 3 square feet, or
 More than 3 linear feet
Construction/Maintenance Activities
Engineering controls, work practices
 Local exhaust ventilation with
HEPA filter system
 Prohibited practices
 HEPA-filtered vacuums

sawing without HEPA filtering
 Enclosure, isolation

compressed air
 Wet methods

dry sweeping/cleanup
 Intact handling
 Clean-up, prompt disposal
 Housekeeping
Construction/Maintenance Activities
Worker Protection
 Personal protective Equipment
(PPE)
– respirator, gloves,
head protection, foot
protection, coveralls
– training on proper use
 Hygiene facilities
– washing, decontamination,
change room
What is a “Competent person”?
 Supervisors
 “Asbestos Abatement Projects”
 Other Class I, II, and III work > 3 feet
 Class I: surfacing materials and thermal system
insulation
 Class II: other asbestos materials
 Class III: repair and maintenance
 Person trained in operations and maintenance
for < 3 feet (EPA criteria)
Uncertified Asbestos Work
 Allowed Activities
 Class II or III work with intact materials
 Class IV work (contact but not disturb)
 Unclassified work
 Examples:
 Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT)
 Asphaltic roofing
 Installing asbestos containing materials
Uncertified Asbestos Work (cont)
 Supervisor Training
 CAS for Class II or III (> 3 feet)
 Worker training for small jobs
 Worker Training
 Class II--8 hour material specific training
 Class III--16 hour O&M training
 Class IV--2 hour asbestos awareness
Uncertified Asbestos Work (cont)
 PPE and hygiene facilities
 Work Practices
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Wet methods
Intact removal
HEPA filtered vacuums
Prompt cleanup and disposal
Specific requirements for roofing, flooring, siding
and gaskets (WAC 296-62-07712)
Uncertified Asbestos Work (cont)
 Prohibitions
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
Sawing, chipping, grinding, etc.
Compressed air
Dry sweeping or shoveling
Employee rotation
Summary
 Property owner or owners agent must do an
asbestos “Good Faith” inspection (AHERA)
 No requirement to remove intact ACM
 Anyone who may encounter ACM needs a
minimum of Asbestos Awareness training
 Damaged, deteriorated or disturbed ACM
must be abated
 Asbestos abatement normally requires an
asbestos abatement contractor
 Warning labels may be required
Further Information
 DOSH – asbestos webpage
OSHA – asbestos webpage
 Environmental Protection Agency –
asbestos webpage
 Department of Ecology – asbestos waste
webpage
Questions?
Dave Johnson
360-902-5514
joda235@lni.wa.gov