Asbestos Control Measures
Asbestos has reportedly become a well recognized health hazard. As such, this miniscule fibers, visible only with the aid of an asbestos microscope, is highly regulated in the United States because of the estimated 1.3 million employees, working in construction and general industry, are exposed to such material on the job. Those working in the removal of asbestos in the construction industry are the employees who are the heaviest exposed. Those assigned in the manufacture of asbestos products like textiles, friction products, insulation, and other building material are also at risk to the hazards of asbestos exposure.
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have set standards to be followed by manufacturers in order to protect the people working in such environment. Such rules are intertwined and are specific for the general industry, shipyard employment, and the construction industry.
The General Duty Clause, as stated in Section 5(a) of the OSH Act, specifies that employers must furnish to each their employees a working environment that is free from recognized hazards may cause them death or serious physical harm. This is again for the reason that those asbestos workers are more likely to develop either of two principal cancer types. Such may either be the cancer of the lung tissue itself or the cancer of the thin membrane that surrounds the lung and other internal organs, known as mesothelioma. It is also important to note that these types of cancer are not immediately diagnosed since they do not immediately develop after asbestos exposure and would only appear after several years.
As a safety precaution, there shall be the determination of employee exposure conducted. This shall be done by taking breathing zone air samples that are represent the 8-hour TWA and 30-minute short-term exposures of each employee.
Furthermore, OSHA standards also provide for medical surveillances and the monitoring of asbestos exposure. In conducting asbestos exposure monitoring, air samples are once again analyzed. This may be done with the aid of an asbestos microscope. An asbestos microscope allows for fiber counting of the asbestos material. As such, the asbestos microscope may assist in the estimation of fiber exposure, as well as the identification of what type of asbestos fibers is present.
Another asbestos analysis that may be conducted is the bulk sample analysis. With the use of an asbestos microscope that entails light microscopy, the bulk sample of asbestos may be described and analyzed through phase-polar illumination and central-stop dispersion microscopy.
Engineering controls, administrative actions, and personal protective equipment allows the control for asbestos exposure. Isolation of the asbestos source and ventilation systems are examples of engineering controls. Setting limits on asbestos exposure time and availability of shower rooms for workers are examples of administrative actions that would help avoid asbestos hazards. Proper respiratory protection and clothing are examples of personal protective equipment that must be provided for the employees working with asbestos.
Guidelines are also provided for those working in the automotive industry, especially those that use asbestos in manufacturing brakes and clutches.
