The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Asbestos Regulation (29 CFR 1910.1001), requires ALL employers to protect their workers from the hazards of asbestos. In order to properly protect employees, you have to know what materials may contain asbestos. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set forth regulations that require inspections, but these are geared mainly towards protecting our school age children from the dangers of asbestos. These same procedures that are required for schools should also be used as a best management practice (BMP) by owners and property managers of manufacturing facilities, office buildings, apartment buildings, shopping centers, hospitals, skilled care facilities and similar facilities. Implementing these BMPs will ensure occupants are safe and will reduce potential legal liabilities and insurance claims.
Protecting your workers and building occupants all begins with determining if there are any asbestos-containing building materials (ACMs) in your facilities. Conducting an asbestos inspection utilizing certified/licensed inspectors to determine if there are any ACMs in the facility is just the first step. If the inspection results show the presence of ACMs, an Asbestos Management Plan should be implemented to minimize the exposure to workers, building occupants and visitors. If you have not performed this important step for your older buildings, it is important to understand the processes of Inspection and Asbestos Management Plan development and implementation.
The asbestos building inspection and Asbestos Management Plan will also come in handy when planning repairs, renovations or demolition activities at your facility. Regulations require building owners to have asbestos inspections conducted before any renovation/demolition activities. If ACMs will be impacted or disturbed during the renovation/demolition activities they are required to be removed by certified/licensed asbestos abatement contractor. If the ACMs will not be impacted then the other Contractors should be informed of the existence and location of the ACMs so that precautions can be taken when working near them so they are not damaged or disturbed.
If you need any assistance with these important regulations and building management best practices, please reach out to talk to one of our certified industrial hygienists.
Written by: Gregory Matty