Geoffrey A. Clark, M.Sc., CIH, ROH

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Asbestos Still a Killer in B.C.
Geoffrey A. Clark, M.Sc., CIH, ROH Senior
Occupational Hygienist, WorkSafeBC Geoffrey.Clark_at_
worksafebc.com
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Fatal Injuries and Diseases (1999 2008)
Motor Vehicle Accidents 321
Other Injuries 645
Asbestos Diseases 446
Other Diseases 167
Total 1,579
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Number of Asbestos Claims by Year (1990 to 2008)
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Procedure to Repair Asbestos Pipe

1. Excavate around the A/C pipe a sufficient
   distance to ensure adequate tool clearance in the
   area to be cut. Care must be taken to avoid any
   pipe abrasions.
2. Put on protective equipment (disposable
   coveralls, twin cartridge 1/2 face respirator
   equipped with "HEPA" filters, rubber boots, hard
   hat, leather or rubber gloves) and have
   sufficient clean water available before entering
   the trench.
3. Clean the pipe in the area to be cut and attach
   the snap cutter.
4. Apply water to the cut area until cutting is
   complete.
5. Operate the cutting tool (manual or hydraulic
   snap-cutter) in accordance with the
   manufacturer's instructions making sure that
   water is applied in sufficient quantities to
   continuously wet the cut surface and prevent A/C
   dust creation.

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Procedure to Repair Asbestos Pipe

1. Detach the cutter, move to the next cut location
   on the pipe.
2. Upon completion of the final cut, thoroughly wash
   all equipment with clean water to remove A/C
   debris. Allow the water to drain into the bottom
   of the trench before removing the equipment.
3. Install other pipe and fittings as required,
   taking care to avoid any abrasion to the A/C
   pipe.
4. When all pipe work is completed, remove
   disposable coveralls and gloves. Leave them in
   the trench with any A/C debris. Thoroughly wash
   hands, boots, and all small tools (i.e. wrenches,
   hammers, shovels) with clean water to remove A/C
   debris and let the water drain in the trench.
5. Exit the excavation so that your clothing and
   tools will not be contaminated with A/C debris.
6. Back fill the trench.

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Applicable Regulations

• 20.112 Hazardous materials asbestos
• 20.2 Notice of project asbestos
• 6.3 Exposure control plan
• 6.4 Inventory
• 6.5 Identification (signage)
• 6.7 Control of friable asbestos
• 6.9 Prohibitions (crocidolite)
• 6.27 Waste removal

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20.112 Hazardous materials

• Before work begins on the demolition or salvage
  of machinery, equipment,
• buildings or structures, the employer or owner
  must
• inspect the site to identify any asbestos, lead,
  or other heavy metal or toxic, flammable or
  explosive materials that may be handled,
  disturbed or removed,
• have the inspection results available at the
  worksite, including any drawings, plans or
  specifications, as appropriate, to show the
  locations of any hazardous substances,
• ensure that any hazardous materials found are
  safely contained or removed, and
• if hazardous materials are discovered during
  demolition work that were not identified in the
  inspection required by paragraph (a), ensure that
  all work ceases until such materials are
  contained or removed.

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20.2 Notice of Project

• The owner or, if the owner engages another person
  to be the prime contractor, then that person must
  ensure that the Board receives, in writing or by
  fax, a notice of project (NOP) at least 24 hours
  before starting a construction project if
• (c) the construction activity involves
• the removal, encapsulation or enclosure of
  friable asbestos building materials, or
• the demolition, dismantling or repair of any
  building or structure, or parts thereof, in which
  insulating materials containing asbestos have
  been used, or in which asbestos products have
  been manufactured, or
• an abatement project or other activity involving
  significant disturbance of lead-containing
  coatings on buildings or structures, or
• similar activities which may expose workers to a
  significant risk of occupational disease.

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Part 6 Asbestos

• 6.3 Exposure control plan
• If a worker is or may be exposed to potentially
  harmful levels of asbestos, the employer must
  develop and implement an exposure control plan
  meeting the requirements of section 5.54.
• 6.4 Inventory
• The employer must ensure that an inventory of
  all asbestos-containing materials present in the
  workplace is prepared and kept current.
• 6.5 Identification
• The employer must ensure that all
  asbestos-containing materials present in the
  workplace are identified by signs, labels or when
  these are not practicable, other effective means.

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Part 6 Asbestos

• 6.7 Control of friable asbestos
• The employer must ensure that a friable
  asbestos-containing material in the workplace is
  controlled by removal, enclosure or encapsulation
  so as to prevent the release of airborne asbestos
  fibre.
• The employer must not allow any work that would
  disturb friable asbestos-containing material
  unless necessary precautions have been taken to
  protect workers.
• 6.9 Prohibitions
• Except for waste intended for disposal, the
  employer must ensure crocidolite asbestos or
  material containing crocidolite asbestos is not
  brought into or used in a workplace.

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Part 6 Asbestos
6.27 Waste removal The employer must remove all
asbestos dust and debris from the work area with
a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA-filtered
exhaust, or by other means acceptable to the
Board, while the work is in progress, at the end
of each work shift, and at the completion of work
involving asbestos.
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Requirements?

• All asbestos cement pipe must be included in your
  asbestos management program.
• You must have an inventory marking locations
  where asbestos remains buried.
• You must have an exposure control program (ECP)
  for asbestos that covers workers who might be
  subsequently exposed to asbestos waste in the
  trenches.
• You must have a respirator program for workers
  who might be exposed to asbestos in the trenches.
• You must submit a Notice of Project for asbestos,
  prior to pipe repair work or subsequent work in
  trenches containing asbestos waste. G20.2(1)(c)
  Notice of project for asbestos - Ongoing work
• No crocidolite asbestos must be used in the
  workplace.

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More Questions and Discussion?