Asbestos containing building materials disturbance

Asbestos may be released to indoor or outdoor air as a result of the disturbance of asbestos-containing building materials such as insulation, fire-proofing material, dry wall, and ceiling and floor tile. Amphibole asbestos has been found in some sources of vermiculite that has been used as home and building insulation. Workers or homeowners involved in demolition work or asbestos... 

Asbestos may, however, attack carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and school custodians who inadvertently disturb it. These people have to exercise due caution and use protective equipment whenever they think they may be dealing with asbestos. As for the rest of us, I don t think asbestos is much of an issue. Would I like to work in an asbestos mine No way. Would I want to be drilling through asbestos panels Uh, uh. Would I hesitate to send my children to a school constructed with asbestos-containing materials Nope. But I would like to know that an expert who has up-to-date knowledge of asbestos inspects the building periodically. And if that expert should recommend action, I would certainly not insist that it begin the next day. 

Individuals residing or working in buildings with insulation or other building materials that may potentially contain asbestiform minerals (for example, vermiculite from the Libby, Montana, mine) are encouraged to ensure that the insulation material is solidly contained and not able to be disturbed and become airborne. If the material is to be removed, special procedures must be followed that minimize the generation of dust and specify appropriate locations for disposal. Individuals can obtain information about asbestos removal and disposal procedures from the 10 regional offices of the EPA. 

Q. You would like clarification on a provision in the asbestos standard for construction, .1101 (k)(2)(ii)(D), which states that building and facility owners shall notify tenants who will occupy building areas containing asbestos-containing material (ACM) and presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM). You asked whether, under that provision, tenants are required to be notified only when there is a disturbance of ACM or PACM in their spaces You also asked if there was any requirement under the general industry standard for asbestos ( 1910.1001) for building owners to notify tenants of the presence of ACM. 

This Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) applies to work with asbestos which does not normally require an HSE licence. It applies to work on or which disturbs building materials containing asbestos asbestos sampling laboratory analysis and to the limited, permitted remaining work with asbestos during manufacturing. 

Work on or which disturbs building materials containing asbestos to which this ACoP applies, includes ... 

The Regulations and ACoP apply to all work with asbestos. They apply in particular to work on or which disturbs building materials containing asbestos, asbestos sampling and laboratory analysis with the exception of clearing asbestos-contaminated land which is not specifically covered by this ACoP. An additional ACoP, entitled The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises is aimed at those who have repair and maintenance responsibilities for non-domestic premises. 

The site of the fire will present a number of significant and unusual hazards. The normal substances in the workplace may have undergone a chemical reaction and be more hazardous than before the fire. In addition to the normal products of combustion, including soot, contaminated water used for fire fighting may contain carcinogenic material. Other hazards may be presented by the building materials which will themselves have been affected by the fire. The elements of the building may have been seriously weakened or asbestos may have been disturbed. 

Buildings constructed between 1930 and 1950 may contain insulation made with asbestos. Wall and ceiling insulation that contains asbestos is generally found inside the wall or ceiling ( sandwiched behind plaster walls). The asbestos is used as material for thermal insulation, acoustical insulation, and fire protection. Renovation and home improvements may expose and disturb the materials. 

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