Asbestos
Is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral which is mined like diamonds and comes in two forms:– Serpentine - snake like– Amphibole - needle like
Mineral content includes:– Silica– Water– Iron– Magnesium (may include)
Asbestos Types
Chrysotile - 95%type used in the United States
Amosite - Used to harden Crocidolite - Frequently found as a
contaminant of Amosite
Uses
Historical – 480 BC - Candle wicks– Egyptians wove asbestos into cremation shrouds– Romans used in textiles like cremation shrouds,
lamps, napkins and table cloths– Wide spread uses in the late 1800 and 1900
Present Day– Acoustical spray-on asbestos– TSI -Thermal system insulation– brakes/clutches– vinyl floor tile
Diseases
Asbestosis - Scarring of the lungs due to cell damage from inhalation of asbestos fibers.
Mesothelioma - Cancer of the lining around the lungs called the mesothelium. Fatal
Lung Cancer - Cancer of the bronchioles. Synergistic effect with cigarette smoking.
Standards
COMDTINST 6260.16A
29 CFR 1910.1001 (General Industry)
29 CFR 1926.1101 (Construction)
40 CFR 61.156 (NESHAPS)
Vocabulary
ACM: Asbestos-containing material. Material which contains one or more percent asbestos.
Friable/Nonfriable: Friable-ACM which can be crumbled under hand pressure. Nonfriable-ACM which can not be crumbled or become airborne easily such as floor tile or transite.
TSI: Thermal system insulation
PACM: Presumed asbestos-containing material. TSI or surfacing materials installed prior to 1980.
Competent person/Qualified person: Someone who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or work conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous especially in regards to asbestos and who is authorized to select the appropriate control strategy and can take prompt corrective actions to eliminate them.
Vocabulary of Standards
PEL: OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit-limit which is based on an 8-hour time weighted average and can not be exceeded. (This is law.)
TWA: Averaged airborne concentration of a substance over a given period of time such as eight hours.
Excursion Limit: A 30 minute limit which must not be exceeded more than twice per day.
TLV: a time weighted average concentration for a normal 8-hour work day and a 40-hour work week, to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse effects. (recommendation from ACGIH).
Asbestos Management Plan
Designation of a Coordinator Identification Inventory Labeling Management in Place
Identification
Sampling - Sampling should be done as outlined in the handout provided and provided to MLCPAC (kse) to process for analysis.
Analysis - Analysis is done by an accredited lab.
Sampling
Who can Sample - Legally the person sampling must be A CIH or certified by attending an AHERA course
Training Requirements to Sample - Classes referred to as AHERA certified by the EPA
Uses of Samples Results - Samples taken by personnel who are not certified to take samples can only be used for establishing the cost of the project. The can not be used by the contractor.
Prohibited Activities
Coast Guard personnel are prohibited from repairing or removing asbestos-containing materials.
Except at the CG Yard, Base Ketchikan and underway casualty repair activities.
Contract Concerns
MLCPAC (kse) Review spec packages Inform contractors
Standards to be followed Possible presents of asbestos
Recommend independent consulting firm to oversee the abatement.
Definitions for Maintenance Operations
Wet Methods: Wetting the material to be removed prior to disturbing it. Prefer the use of amended water over plain water.
Amended Water: Water which has had a chemical added to make it penetrate and adhere to the material be removed more readily.
HEPA: high efficiency particulate air. A filter or filtration system designed to trap and retain 99.97 % of all particles 0.3 micrometers or greater.
Maintenance Procedures Involving ACM
Buffing and waxing floor tiles Must have a heavy wax coating No abrasive buffers
Gasket material replacement Must be done using wet methods
Brake replacement Must use HEPA vacuum drum to catch
fibers from asbestos brakes or Interim wet methods
Prohibited Procedures
Sanding, drilling, grinding, sawing with high speed abrasive discs, anything that causes asbestos fibers to be released from the material.
Dry sweeping, shoveling or other forms of dry clean-up and use of compressed air to remove asbestos debris.
Actual Abatement Activities
Beyond the scope of this training.
Standards are: Complicated Lengthy Confusing Require extensive training
Summary
Asbestos is used throughout the Coast Guard in many ways, e.g. insulation, gaskets, brakes, etc.
Exposure to asbestos can cause diseases that can be fatal.
Asbestos must be identified, inventoried, labeled, removed or managed in place.
Coast Guard personnel are prohibited from working with asbestos (with notable exceptions).
If personnel must work with asbestos, they must have extensive training.