WORKER TRAINING
FOR SELECT CLEAN UP OF ASBESTOSCONTAMINATED DRYWALL WASTE
© 2011
EHS Partnerships Ltd.
INTRODUCTION
This training program was developed to:
Provide attendees with information about the hazards of
Asbestos Containing Materials
Familiarize attendees with applicable sections of the
British Columbia Occupational Health and Safety
Regulation.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of the course, participants will:
• Understand hazards of ACM’s
• Identify possible harmful exposure
• Understand Asbestos Exposure Control
Plan
• Be able to follow Moderate Risk
Abatement techniques
Legislation
OH&S LEGISLATION
OH&S Legislation
Worker’s Compensation Act
• Workplace health and safety is regulated in British
Columbia by WorkSafeBC under the Workers’
Compensation Act (effective April 15, 1998), as
amended
by
the
Workers’
Compensation
(Occupational Health and Safety) Amendment Act
(effective October 1, 1999).
• The Act defines the general duties and obligations of
the employer, employees and others at the work
site.
Legislation
BC Occupational Health and Safety
Regulation
ACMs are regulated specifically under Part 6
(sections 6.1 to 6.32) of British Columbia
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
(BC Reg.) 296/97, as amended from time to
time.
Maximum Allowable Asbestos Exposure
Levels
The TWA for all forms of asbestos for an 8-hour work
shift is:
0.1 f/cc (fibres per cubic centimeter)
For extended work shifts the TWA must be adjusted
consistent with the requirements of Part 5.50 of the
OH&S Regulations.
Provincial Environmental Legislation
In British Columbia, environmental hazards pertaining to
waste generally fall under the jurisdiction of The British
Columbia Ministry of Environment (MoE), pursuant to
The Environmental Management Act.
The Hazardous Waste Regulation (HWR), BC Reg.
63/88, as amended by BC Reg. 319/2004, provides
requirements for handling, storage, transportation,
treatment, recycling and disposal of hazardous goods.
Transportation Regulations
The transportation of hazardous wastes is
governed under the Transportation of
Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations.
Guidelines
WorkSafeBC has published “Safe Handling of
Asbestos, A Manual of Standard Practices”, 2006
and “G20.112 Hazardous materials – Asbestos”,
dated 2008.
The purpose of these documents are to provide
information on asbestos, asbestos hazards, safe
abatement of ACMs, requirements for worker
protection, safe work procedures and what
constitutes a compliant asbestos inspection.
Jurisdictional Controls
According to the Ten Steps to Compliance as outlined in
WorkSafeBC guideline 20.112, an ACM survey must be
completed prior to renovating and/or demolishing any
building or structure that was built prior to 1990.
ASBESTOS AWARENESS
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral
fibres.
Chrysotile: White
3 common
types
include:
Amosite: Brown
Crocidolite: Blue
Asbestos – Mined in Open Pit Mines
USES OF ASBESTOS
Useful Properties of Asbestos
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Resists burning even at high temperatures
Has great tensile strength
Acoustic dampener
Resists corrosion by chemicals
Resists biological growth
Insulates against the conduction of
electricity
• Is very flexible
Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM) –
Building Exteriors
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Cement paneling, soffits and roof panels
Roofing felts and mastics
Stucco
Brick and block mortar
Loose fill insulation in exterior wall
cavities
ACM’s - Walls
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•
•
•
Drywall joint compound
Plaster
Texture coating
Transite wall board
ACM’S - Flooring
• Floor tile
• Sheet vinyl flooring
• Floor leveling
compounds
ACM’s - Ceilings
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•
•
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T-bar ceiling tile
Cement ceiling tile
Acoustic finishes
Stippled finishes
Plaster or drywall joint compound
Services Areas & Mechanical Systems
•
Boiler room insulation – boilers, pipes, ducts, incinerators,
floors, walls, ceilings
•
Fan room insulation – insulation on pipes, chillers, floors,
ceilings, walls
•
Machine room insulation – insulations on pipes, ducts,
floors, ceilings, walls
•
Crawl space insulation - insulation on pipes and ducts
•
Wall cavity insulation
Miscellaneous Materials
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Incandescent light fixture backings
Wire insulation
Fume hoods
Laboratory counter-tops
Fire blankets
Brake pads
Fire-stopping
Theatre curtains
HEALTH AND EXPOSURE
RISKS
Health Risks
Asbestos disease is a result of deep lung inhalation of asbestos fibres.
The risk for workers is associated with inhaling airborne fibres.
If the asbestos is not disturbed and does not become airborne, the
exposure potential is minimal.
Materials that have low friability, are in good condition, in an inaccessible
location, and protected from damage are low hazard.
Where damage or disturbance cannot be controlled, management of the
exposure risk is very difficult.
Hazardous Fibres
The hazard associated with the fibres is due to their size
and shape.
Long, fine fibres are most hazardous and can still be
inhaled into the deep lung.
A fibre is most hazardous if its length is greater than 5
microns and the width is less than 60% of its length.
In contrast, fibreglass fibres tend to be too large to reach
the deep lung and are not as significant an exposure
hazard.
Main Diseases
There are three main diseases
caused by inhalation of asbestos
fibres:
• Asbestosis
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma
View WorkSafeBC Video
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
Respirators
Asbestos fibres are hazardous when they are
inhaled.
Therefore, respirators are the most important
pieces of equipment for anyone handling
asbestos.
Other PPE
In addition to respiratory protection, other PPE
may be required, including:
• disposable coveralls (hooded with
elasticized cuffs at wrists and ankles)
• work gloves
• safety footwear (steel toed, seamless,
laceless rubber boots)
• hardhat
• hearing protection
• safety glasses
Asbestos Control Methods/Options
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Removal
Encapsulation
Enclosure
Survey &
Management
Plan
Exposure Control Program & Safe Work
Procedure for Cleaning Up AsbestosContaminated Drywall
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Development of the Exposure Control
Program and Safe Work Procedure
Through the preparation of this training program, EHS
Partnerships Ltd. of Burnaby, BC conducted a qualified
substance-specific risk assessment.
The substance-specific risk assessment was conducted
to evaluate worker exposure and environmental risks
associated with clean up of asbestos-contaminated
drywall waste in volumes less than or equal to one (1)
cubic meter.
Development of the Exposure Control
Program and Safe Work Procedure
Exposure Control Program and Safe Work Procedure
was developed
Copy of both documents are provided as an appendix to
your training manual.
Moderate Risk Safe Work Procedure
The remainder of this
course will focus on the
safe work procedures that
are
detailed
in
the
Exposure Control Program
and Safe Work Procedure
documents.
General Abatement Practices
No eating, drinking, or smoking
in the asbestos removal area.
Workers must fully
decontaminate before
performing any of these
activities, or using the
washroom.
PPE is to be worn at all times
inside the designated cleanup
area.
Personal Protective Equipment Required
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Half or full face respirator with HEPA/P-100 Cartridges
Tyvec coveralls
High visibility vest
Steel toe rubber boots
Leather or equivalent gloves
Hard hat
Hearing protection
Eye protection
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Required Tools & Equipment
 Two Wash Buckets
 Disposable Hand Towels
 Hand Soap
 6 Mil Polyethylene Sheeting
 First Aid Kit
 Minimum of 4 Asbestos Hazard
Signs
 Duct Tape
 Spray Canister Capable of
Misting
 Asbestos Warning Tape
 Shovel/Hand Spade
 Asbestos Waste Bags
 5 micron filter sock
Personal Decontamination Facility
A decontamination area
is to be used, limiting
entry and egress to and
from the work area
Wash pails within a
“clean area” (no more
than 2 workers per set of
2 wash pails) will be used
by all personnel and
equipment entering and
exiting the work area
Decontamination Procedures
• Damp wipe disposable coveralls to remove visible
debris, within the work area.
• Remove coveralls and place in a 6 mil labeled
polyethylene bag and dispose of as asbestos waste.
DO NOT REMOVE RESPIRATOR AT THIS TIME.
• Enter designated “personal decontamination area”.
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Decontamination Procedures
• Thoroughly clean the outside of the respirator with
water.
• Remove the respirator.
• Thoroughly wash hands and face.
• Wash and rinse the inside of the respirator.
• Exit the “personal decontamination area”.
Decontamination Procedures
• Respirator filters will be taped over while respirator is
not in use to prevent possible release of entrapped
asbestos fibres or shall be disposed of as asbestos
waste.
• Any equipment used inside the asbestos clean-up
area must be thoroughly cleaned (decontaminated)
by wet wiping prior to being removed from the
asbestos clean-up area.
Work Procedures
• Don appropriate PPE prior to entering work area and at all times
inside the work area.
• Clean up the horizontal surfaces surrounding the waste deposit
by shovel and/or by hand.
• Continuously mist water onto the waste pile.
• Clean up dust and waste (wetted if possible) by shovel or hand.
• Dry sweeping or compressed air must not be used to clean up
waste materials.
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Work Procedures
Following completion of removal, the work area will be
thoroughly inspected to ensure all asbestos-containing
material and dust/debris has been fully removed.
Immediately upon finishing the work, complete the
following tasks:
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Wet drop sheets;
Fold them to contain any remaining dust;
Bag or place them in a sealable container; and,
Dispose of them as asbestos waste.
Work Procedures
Before leaving the work area, complete the following
tasks:
• Clean protective equipment wet wiping before
taking them outside of the asbestos clean-up area;
and,
• Place protective clothing that was worn in the
asbestos clean-up area in a sealable container
and dispose of as asbestos waste.
Solid Waste
All waste will be continuously
double-bagged in asbestos waste
bags and stored on-site for
appropriate disposal.
Asbestos waste must be placed in
sealable containers which are
labeled as “asbestos-containing”
Clean external surfaces of the
sealed containers.
Remove containers from the work
area.
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Liquid Waste
Wash water from the personal
and waste decontamination
process must be passed through
a 5 micron filter sock prior to
discarding the water to sewer
drain.
Used filter socks must be kept
damp and should be disposed of
as asbestos waste immediately
after use.
Step 1: Set Up Work Area Barriers and Personal
Decontamination area
Step 2: Don PPE
Step 3a: Clean up Drywall: Wet Waste
Step 3b: Clean up Drywall: Bag Waste
Step 3c: Clean up drywall: Final Cleaning
Step 3d: Clean up Drywall: Create a Goose Neck Seal
on the Waste Bags
Steps 4 and 5: Clean and
decontaminate tools and PPE
Video
Step 6: Disposal of asbestoscontaining material
• Transport as hazardous waste
• Follow local, provincial and federal
regulations
• Take to temporary storage or
designated disposal facility
COMPLETING A FIELD-LEVEL
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR ACMS
Risk Assessment
Historically, plaster applications, including drywall joint
compounds, were manufactured to contain between 110% asbestos.
Unpainted plaster compounds are somewhat friable.
Painted plaster compounds are non-friable.
Risk Assessment
Based on the above-noted information, and on
information presented in WorkSafeBC publication “Safe
Handling of Asbestos, A Manual of Standard Practices”, a
moderate risk of exposure to harmful levels of asbestos
exists for persons cleaning up suspect asbestoscontaminated drywall waste.
FIELD-LEVEL RISK
ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
Site Conditions
Site Conditions (continued)
Upon closer visual examination, we can see that the drywall waste
has suspect asbestos-containing joint compound and textured plaster
applied to various pieces of the waste.
Exercise:
Divide into groups if appropriate.
1. Secure the work area.
2. Set up the two stage decontamination area.
3. Demonstrate donning of PPE and work area entry procedures.
4. Demonstrate waste (drywall) cleanup procedures.
5. Complete final cleaning.
6. Demonstrate waste bagging procedures.
7. Demonstrate waste bag decontamination procedures.
8. Demonstrate personnel decontamination and work area egress procedures.
9. Dismantle the work area.
Questions?