Asbestos Safety

Asbestos Kills

If you are exposed to enough asbestos, it will kill you

It’s an invisible killer - You need special equipment to even see asbestos fibers

Asbestos has been used to make thousands of products

Maintenance and construction workers are most at risk

How Do Asbestos Fibers Enter Your Body?

Asbestos fibers are released from damaged materials containing asbestos

These fibers enter your body when you breath, eat or drink

They may remain in your body for life

They cause deadly diseases

Diseases Caused By Asbestos

Lung cancer accounts for the most deaths related to asbestos exposure

Asbestosis is a deadly respiratory disease

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the chest or abdomen

It can also cause cancer of the rectum, colon, esophagus, stomach, intestines and pancreas

Three Things That Determine Likelihood Of Disease

The amount and duration of exposure

Whether or not you smoke

Age

Beware of Materials That Crumble Easily

Materials that crumble easily are called friable

Friable materials containing asbestos can release dangerous fibers into the air

Avoid contact with friable materials

Non-friable materials containing asbestos can become friable when damaged

They’re safe as long as not disturbed

3 Activities That Cause Asbestos To Become Airborne

1) Fallout continuously releases asbestos fibers from a damaged substance

2) Impact causes high concentrations of asbestos fibers to be released

3) Reentrainment moves asbestos fibers that have settled

If You Must Work Near Asbestos

Talk to your supervisor first

You have the right to see results of air monitoring tests

Your goal is to prevent asbestos from becoming airborne

Safe Housekeeping

When cleaning areas containing friable,asbestos-containing materials:– Use dampened mops– Do not use brooms– Do not use traditional vacuum cleaners

Stay away from damaged materials containing asbestos

Regulated Areas

Contain dangerous levels of airborne asbestos

Will be marked with signs

Require you to follow these precautions:– Wear respirators and protective clothing– Leave all protective clothing and equipment

in the workplace– Shower after leaving the regulated area

If You Must Disturb Asbestos

Turn off the ventilation system

Spray the material with water

Place a drop cloth below the work area

Double bag, label all materials exposed to asbestos for proper disposal

Summary

Asbestos kills

Beware of material that easily crumbles containing asbestos

If you must work near asbestos, your goal is to prevent asbestos from becoming airborne

Regulated areas contain dangerous levels of airborne asbestos