Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the.use.of.protective.clothing.such.as.coveralls.or.similar.full-body.cloth-
ing. (usually. Tyvek),. head. coverings,. gloves,. and. foot. covering.. Wherever.
the.possibility.of.eye.irritation.exists,.face.shields,.vented.goggles,.or.other.
appropriate.protective.equipment.must.be.provided.and.worn.
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8..
Construction:
.In.construction.(29.CFR.1626.1101),.there.are.special.regu-
lated-area. requirements. for. asbestos. removal,. renovation,. and. demolition.
operations..These.provisions.include.a.negative.pressure.area,.decontamina-
tion.procedures.for.workers,.and.a.“competent..person”.with.the.authority.to.
identify.and.control.asbestos.hazards..The.standard.includes.an.exemption.
from.the.negative.pressure.enclosure.requirements.for.certain.small-scale,.
short-duration. operations,. provided. special. work. practices,. prescribed. in.
the.standard,.are.followed,.including.the.following:
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9.
Hygiene facilities and practices:
. Clean. change. rooms. must. be. furnished.
by. employers. for. employees. who. work. in. areas. where. exposure. is. above.
the. TWA. and/or. excursion. limit.. Two. lockers. or. storage. facilities. must.
be. furnished. and. separated. to. prevent. contamination. of. the. employee's.
street.clothes.from.protective.work.clothing.and.equipment..Showers.must.
be. furnished. so. that. employees. may. shower. at. the. end. of. the. work. shift..
Employees.must.enter.and.exit.the.regulated.area.through.the.decontamina-
tion.area..The.equipment.room.must.be.supplied.with.impermeable,.labeled.
bags.and.containers.for.the.containment.and.disposal.of.contaminated.pro-
tective.clothing.and.equipment.
.
10..
Lunchroom facilities:
Employers.must.provide.a.positive.pressure,.iltered.
air. supply. and. a. readily. accessible. lunchroom. for. employees.. Employees.
must.wash.their.hands.and.face.prior.to.eating,.drinking,.or.smoking..The.
employer. must. ensure. that. employees. do. not. enter. lunchroom. facilities.
with.protective.work.clothing.or.equipment.unless.surface.ibers.have.been.
removed. from. the. clothing. or. equipment.. Employees. may. not. smoke. in.
work.areas.where.they.are.occupationally.exposed.to.asbestos.
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11..
Medical exams:
.In.general.industry,.exposed.employees.must.have.a.pre-
placement. physical. examination. before. being. assigned. to. an. occupation.
exposed.to.airborne.concentrations.of.asbestos.at.or.above.the.action.level.
or.the.excursion.level..The.physical.examination.must.include.chest.x-ray,.
medical. and. work. history,. and. pulmonary. function. tests.. Subsequent.
exams. must. be. given. annually. and. upon. termination. of. employment,.
although.chest.x-rays.are.required.annually.only.for.older.workers.whose.
irst.asbestos.exposure.occurred.more.than.10.years.ago..In.construction,.
examinations.must.be.made.available.annually.for.workers.exposed.above.
the.action.level,.or.excursion.limit,.for.30.or.more.days.per.year,.or.who.
are.required.to.wear.negative.pressure.respirators;.chest.x-rays.are.at.the.
discretion.of.the.physician.
All.workers.must.receive.asbestos.abatement.training.usually.equivalent.to.32 hours.
and.yearly.refresher.training.
Although.asbestos.is.currently.not.being.manufactured.or.installed.in.the.United.
States,.there.are.many.facilities.and.locations.where.it.still.exists..Damaged.or.friable.
