NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide Employee Training Module Revision date: June 2011.
NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide
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Transcript of NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide
NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Employee Training Module
Revision date: June 2011
Introduction
NSSGA supports rigorous regulation to prevent over-exposure to harmful asbestos which has long been regulated as a carcinogen.
Very often analytical methods that were designed to measure commercial asbestos in built environments are inappropriately applied in natural environments resulting in the misidentification of rock fragments as asbestos.
Introduction
In addition, naturally occurring asbestos may be present in very small concentrations in some of the same rock types as those that are mined for aggregate production across the U.S.
The aggregates industry does not have asbestos-related disease in its workforce and has not been associated with asbestos in its products.
Introduction
In 2009 NSSGA published the Mineral Identification and Management Guide to assess whether protocol mineral fibers are present at aggregates operations.
The purpose of this module is to provide a training template to educate aggregates’ workforces about how to differentiate between naturally occurring asbestos and common rock fragments. The module also provides some background and training on implementation of the Guide.
Overview
Asbestos - definition and characteristics
Rock fragment v. asbestos fiber
Regulations Health effects of
asbestos Mineral ID &
Management Guide
Asbestos is naturally occurring
Asbestos defined
Asbestos – commercial term referring to a group of six regulated mineral forms that share a unique set of physical properties
Asbestos defined
Each of the six regulated minerals occurs in both asbestiform and non-asbestiform or prismatic variety. Same chemical composition, but different structure (morphology).
Same chemical composition – Ca2(MgFe)5Si8O22(OH)2
Different physical characteristics caused by geologic conditions – temperature and pressure –RARE
Crushing/processing ROCK will not produce ASBESTOS FIBERS
ASBESTOS ROCK
Actinolite asbestos is one of the six regulated asbestos minerals. Non-asbestiform Actinolite is not regulated.
Actinolite asbestos
Actinolite
Same chemical composition – H2O Different physical characteristics caused by
environmental conditions Crushing ice will not give you snowflakes
Two forms of the same substance
Asbestos characteristics
Long, thin, flexible fibers or bundles of fibers… Parallel fibers with splayed ends
“aspect ratio”= length : width
Other physical properties of asbestos… high tensile strength ability to be woven resistance to chemical and
thermal decomposition high electrical resistance
Asbestos characteristics
“Commercial asbestos” – mined, milled, and processed…
Pipe insulation containing chrysotile asbestos
Asbestos characteristics
Asbestos or Rock?
Asbestos: Long, thin flexible fibers….
Asbestos or Rock?
Asbestos or Rock?
It is critical to use a laboratory familiar with analyzing naturally occurring (v. commercial) asbestos samples.
Polarized Light Microscopy
Asbestos fibers Non-asbestos cleavage fragments
Asbestos Regulations
OSHA Asbestos Standard Promulgated 1986-1994 PEL of 0.1 fiber/cc for six regulated minerals
MSHA Asbestos Standard Old PEL was 2 fibers/cc New standard in 2008 New PEL of 0.1 fiber/cc for six regulated
minerals California has regulations defining “restricted
material” as that containing ≥ 0.25% asbestos.
Health Effects of Asbestos
Diseases caused by overexposure to asbestos Asbestosis Lung cancer Mesothelioma
Asbestos related diseases
are not present in the
aggregates industry.
Non-asbestiform cleavage fragments/ROCKS
No asbestos related disease is associated with exposure to cleavage/rock fragments.
Peer reviewed studies established that asbestosis and mesothelioma are not found in the aggregates industry. All relevant cell toxicology, epidemiological, and animal toxicology studies were evaluated.
Studies were published in Journal of Regulatory Toxicology & Pharmacology, VOL. 52, #1, OCT. 2008, SUPP. #1
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide – August 2009
The Guide is applicable for any mine site located in areas where igneous or metamorphic rock are mined for aggregate, including sand and gravel pits derived primarily from such igneous and metamorphic parent material.
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Purpose of the Guide is to determine… The absence or presence of “protocol mineral fibers” in
the deposit. Note: Protocol mineral fibers include the six regulated asbestos minerals, all durable asbestiform amphiboles, and all durable asbestiform zeolites such as erionite and mordenite.
The mineralogy of any asbestiform material The quantity and distribution of any asbestiform
minerals Based on the findings, what steps, if any, may be
appropriate to manage the site and maintain sound working conditions.
Step 1 - Periodic on-site geologic inspections Annually, or at such periods established by a geology
professional, inspect each of the mines for the possible presence of “protocol mineral fibers”
Results of the inspection should be documented consistently with other company records and procedures.
Train employees at site to ID and report suspect material.
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 1. Periodic geologic inspection
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 2 - Program for Testing Settled Dust
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 2 - Program for Testing Settled Dust Sampling plates or containers are to be located in
surge tunnels or locations such that the sample reflects a composite of the complete production of a site.
Samples are collected semi-annually or quarterly depending on the needs of the location.
The sample is analyzed by an approved laboratory for asbestiform minerals.
If asbestiform minerals are identified, further steps should be taken.
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic SurveyStep 3 – Qualitative Geologic Survey
A Qualitative Geologic Survey should be conducted at a mining site under any of the following conditions:
1. Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed as a result of on-site inspections by the geology staff;
2. Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed in the settled dust samples from a site as a result of ongoing Settled Dust Program;
3. Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed at a site during normal operations, as a result of drilling or other geologic or mining activity; or
4. A governmental agency determines that protocol mineral fibers may be present at a site.
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic SurveyOther reasons to do a qualitative geologic survey include:Other reasons to do a qualitative geologic survey include: Expansion of operations at an existing mining site Expansion of operations at an existing mining site
which is subject to the guidewhich is subject to the guide Development of a greenfield site subject to this guide Development of a greenfield site subject to this guide
as a mining siteas a mining site
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic Survey The purpose of this survey is to locate and define the The purpose of this survey is to locate and define the
source and distribution of the protocol mineral fibers by a source and distribution of the protocol mineral fibers by a detailed field assessment conducted by geology staff (or detailed field assessment conducted by geology staff (or consultant).consultant).
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 4 – Further steps If the Qualitative Geologic
Survey, in conjunction with a comprehensive mine plan, shows that protocol mineral fibers may occur at a site a plan for future action should be developed.
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 4 – Further stepsMay include… modification of the mine plan where protocol mineral fibers modification of the mine plan where protocol mineral fibers
occur;occur; visual identification plan;visual identification plan; increased settled dust sampling; increased settled dust sampling; product sampling. product sampling.
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 4 – Further stepsMay include… implementation of air sampling;implementation of air sampling;
NSSGA/MSHA Noise and Dust Workshop
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Step 4 – Further steps
May include… TrainingTraining
EmployeeEmployee CustomersCustomers NeighborsNeighbors
Medical MonitoringMedical Monitoring Medical monitoring can be an important part of your
employee health and safety program. Refer to NSSGA Occupational Health Program for more
information.
Mineral Identification and Management Guide
Added Considerations for Use of this Added Considerations for Use of this Training ModuleTraining Module
It is important to note that this training is intended for two primary purposes. One is to train interested parties on the NSSGA Mineral Identification & Management Guide including its origins and application. The other is as a template for an employee training module as part of the implementation of the Guide. In both uses, it is critical that this training module be adapted for the specific needs and issues relevant to the company/organization. This should include adding slides, deleting slides and modifying content as appropriate.
Discussion and Discussion and QuestionsQuestions