Asbestos Asbestos

Asbestos Control Program

Introduction


The goal of the Asbestos Control Program is to:
  1. manage the asbestos containing materials (ACM) in UNC buildings to ensure that exposures to personnel and the environment are minimized and are below the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL);
  2. that all removal and disposal of ACM complies with all OSHA, EPA, and State regulations, and State Construction Office requirements; and,
  3. maintain records of surveys, monitoring activities, class III asbestos work activities, and personnel exposure.
The requirements of these standards are summarized below:

OSHA


OSHA regulates occupational exposure to employees who are involved in removal of ACM or whose jobs require them potentially disturb or otherwise are exposed to ACM (29 CFR 1926.1101, Construction Standard; and 29CFR 1910.1001, General Industry Standard). The standard establishes exposure limits, and requires exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, recordkeeping, provisions for regulated areas, and communication of hazards. The permissible exposure limits (PEL) established by OSHA are:
  1. 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) for an 8 hour time-weighted average limit (TWA);
  2. 1.0 f/cc excursion limit (EL) as averaged over a sampling period of 30 minutes.
OSHA has classified asbestos work in the following categories:
  • Class I - activities involving the removal of thermal system insulation (TSI) and surfacing material asbestos containing material (ACM) and presumed asbestos containing material (PACM).
  • Class II - activities involving the removal of ACM, which is not TSI, or surfacing material. This includes the removal of asbestos containing wallboard, floor tile and sheeting, roofing and shingles, and construction mastics.
  • Class III - repair and maintenance operations, where "ACM", including thermal system insulation and surfacing material, can be disturbed.
  • Class IV -the OSHA standards also cover workers who may come in contact with ACM in buildings. This includes maintenance and custodial staff.

EPA


EPA regulates environmental issues such as visible emissions, waste disposal, building demolition, etc. (40 CFR Part 61, subpart M, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS)). The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA, Title II, Toxic Substance Control Act) concerns asbestos containing materials in schools.

NC Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR)


Asbestos Hazard Management Program (State Rules) (NC Administrative Code, Chapter 19C, section .0600 and 0607) administered by the Health Hazard Control Branch, DEHNR, regulates public exposure and accredits personnel engaged in asbestos control activities such as asbestos removal workers, supervisors, inspectors, management planners, removal project designers, and air monitors. The air concentration limit for asbestos fibers in public areas is 0.01 f/cc.

State Construction Office


The NC State Construction Office has written guideline criteria for asbestos abatement for State projects.
Training
Class IV Workers' Training. OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1101 requires two hour annual awareness training for all employees who perform Class IV asbestos work. UNC Health and Safety Office conducts awareness training (HSO course # 4510) every third Friday of each month. Facilities Services Training Coordinator schedules new Facilities Services personnel and annual refresher training for each of their employees. Other training sessions are also coordinated for telecommunication, housekeeping, and moving crew personnel. Training records are kept in Health and Safety Management Information System.
Awareness training includes the following topics:
  • Asbestos forms and uses
  • Heath effects from asbestos exposure
  • Locations on campus
  • Hazardous communication - training and signs / label requirements
  • How to recognize friable asbestos
  • Recognizing damage and deterioration of ACM
  • Precautions to prevent or minimize personnel exposure
  • Housekeeping requirements
  • Floor care
Class III Workers Training. Employees engaged in class III asbestos work receive one-time 16 hour training provided by the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Educational Resource Center.
The class covers the following material:
  • History, Types and Use of Asbestos
  • Health Hazards of Asbestos
  • Medical Surveillance
  • OSHA, EPA and State Regulations
  • Other Safety and Health Hazards
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Respiratory Protection / Fit Testing
  • Glove Bag Demonstration
  • Use of Glove Bags / Cleaning Respirators
  • Control Measures and Work Practices
  • Use of Mini-Enclosures and Cleaning Contaminated Areas
  • Removing Pipe Insulation as One Unit - General Review

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