Asbestos Management Plan

INTRODUCTION

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) were used widely as construction and insulating materials in buildings from the 1940s through the late 1970s. In many older buildings asbestos is still present in the form of pipe, duct, and boiler insulation and in other materials such as floor tiles. ACM's are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). In terms of environmental protection, while asbestos is a serious health and safety concern, currently available data and risks assessments indicate that properly managed, undamaged ACM in buildings do not present a significant health risk to building occupants; therefore, the focus is to provide comprehensive and effective management rather than total removal.

Effective management of ACM may include the following approaches, depending on the nature of the material, its condition, and potential for exposure. ACM that is in a safe condition and does not present a danger to building occupants may be left in place and periodically inspected to ensure it remains in a safe condition. For ACM that presents a potential exposure concern one or more of the following actions may be appropriate: removal and secure disposal by certified subcontract personnel; enclosure or encapsulation; restricted access and isolation.

HEALTH EFFECTS

Most health information on asbestos exposure has been derived from studies of workers who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their occupation. Asbestos fiber concentrations for these workers were many times higher than those encountered by the general public. Because asbestos fibers are naturally occurring and extremely aerodynamic, virtually everyone is exposed to asbestos. To be a significant health concern, asbestos fibers must be inhaled at high concentrations over an extended period of time. Asbestos fibers then accumulate in the lungs. As exposure increases, the risk of disease also increases. Therefore, measures to minimize exposure and consequently minimize accumulation of fibers will reduce the risk of adverse health effects.

As asbestos fibers accumulate in the lungs, several types of diseases may occur. Asbestosis is a scarring of the lung tissue. This scarring impairs the elasticity of the lung and hampers its ability to exchange gases. This leads to inadequate oxygen intake to the blood. Asbestosis restricts breathing leading to decreased lung volume and increased resistance in the airways. It is a slowly progressive disease with a latency period of 15 to 30 years.

The next type of disease attributed to asbestos exposure is Mesothelioma. It is a cancer of the pleural lining. It is considered to be exclusively related to asbestos exposure. By the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal. Similar to other asbestos related diseases, mesothelioma has a longer latency period of 30 to 40 years.

Lung Cancer is a malignant tumor of the bronchi covering. The tumor grows through surrounding tissue, invading and often obstructing air passages. The time between exposure to asbestos and the occurrence of lung cancer is 20 to 30 years. It should be noted that there is a synergistic effect between smoking and asbestos exposure, which creates an extreme susceptibility to lung cancer.

ASBESTOS GUIDELINES FOR MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL

These guidelines have been prepared to assist maintenance and custodial personnel in implementing safe procedures in buildings containing asbestos. If you follow the guidelines presented here, you will avoid asbestos exposure and protect your health and the health of other people using the building.

DO be sure that you know what materials may contain asbestos and how to avoid exposure. Contact your supervisor to arrange to attend Asbestos Awareness Training, if you have not already attended.

DO assume that a suspect material contains asbestos, unless there is documented sampling or other information that says that it is not.

DO notify your supervisor, if you encounter any material that you suspect may contain asbestos.

DO report any hazardous conditions (damaged or deteriorated ACM) to your supervisor IMMEDIATELY.

DO NOT disturb, damage or otherwise handle ACM at any time.

DO NOT sweep ACM debris or contaminated items.

DO NOT pick up or throw away any ACM waste or trash.

CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE TRAINING

All maintenance and custodial staff who perform duties that do not involve the removal or disturbance of Asbestos Containing Material shall receive training on an annual basis. The training will include:

Asbestos characteristics and typical uses of ACM;
Health effects of asbestos exposure and the combined effects of smoking and asbestos exposure;
Purpose of the Asbestos Management Program;
Recognition of damaged ACM and the response that should be made if damaged ACM or suspect ACM is found.

STRIPPING ASBESTOS-CONTAINING FLOOR COVERINGS

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that custodial/maintenance staff consider the following basic guidelines when stripping wax or finish coat from asbestos-containing floor coverings:

1. AVOID STRIPPING FLOORS. Stripping of floors should be done as infrequently as possible -- perhaps once or twice or less per year depending on circumstances. The frequency should be carefully considered as floor maintenance schedules or contracts are written or renewed.

2. PROPERLY TRAIN STAFF. Custodial or maintenance staff who strip floors should be trained to operate properly and safely the machines, pads, and floor care chemicals used at the facility.

3. FOLLOW APPROPRIATE WORK PRACTICES. Custodial or maintenance staff who strip floors should follow appropriate work practices, such as those recommended here, under informed supervision. Directions from floor tile and floor wax product manufacturers on proper maintenance procedures should be consulted.

4. STRIP FLOORS WHILE WET. The floor should be kept adequately wet during the stripping operation. Do NOT perform dry stripping. Prior to machine operation, an emulsion of chemical stripper in water is commonly applied to the floor with a mop to soften the wax or finish coat. After stripping and before application of the new wax, the floor should be thoroughly cleaned, while wet.

5. RUN MACHINE AT SLOW SPEED. If the machine used to remove the wax or finish coat has variable speeds, it should be run at slow speed (about 175-190 rpm) during the stripping operation.

6. SELECT THE LEAST ABRASIVE PAD POSSIBLE. EPA recommends that the machine be equipped with the least abrasive pad possible to strip wax or finish coat from asbestos-containing floors.

7. DO NOT OVERSTRIP FLOORS. Stop stripping when the old surface coat is removed. Overstripping can damage the floor and may cause the release of asbestos fibers. Do NOT operate a floor machine with an abrasive pad on unwaxed or unfinished floors,

EPA recommends that you leave asbestos-containing floor covering in place, provided the material is in good condition. However, proper maintenance procedures, such as those outlined above, should always be followed. These guidelines were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in consultation with asbestos control professionals and several flooring material and floor care product manufacturers to reduce any possible exposure to asbestos fibers.