Asbestos%20Safety

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Asbestos Safety
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Asbestos Kills

• If you are exposed to enough asbestos, it will
  kill you
• Its an invisible killer - You need special
  equipment to even see asbestos fibers
• Asbestos has been used to make thousands of
  products
• Maintenance and construction workers are most at
  risk

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How Do Asbestos Fibers Enter Your Body?

• Asbestos fibers are released from damaged
  materials containing asbestos
• These fibers enter your body when you breath, eat
  or drink
• They may remain in your body for life
• They cause deadly diseases

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Diseases Caused By Asbestos

• Lung cancer accounts for the most deaths related
  to asbestos exposure
• Asbestosis is a deadly respiratory disease
• Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the
  chest or abdomen
• It can also cause cancer of the rectum, colon,
  esophagus, stomach, intestines and pancreas

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Three Things That Determine Likelihood Of Disease

• The amount and duration of exposure
• Whether or not you smoke
• Age

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Beware of Materials That Crumble Easily

• Materials that crumble easily are called friable
• Friable materials containing asbestos can release
  dangerous fibers into the air
• Avoid contact with friable materials
• Non-friable materials containing asbestos can
  become friable when damaged
• Theyre safe as long as not disturbed

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3 Activities That Cause Asbestos To Become
Airborne

1. Fallout continuously releases asbestos fibers
   from a damaged substance
2. Impact causes high concentrations of asbestos
   fibers to be released
3. Reentrainment moves asbestos fibers that have
   settled

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If You Must Work Near Asbestos

• Talk to your supervisor first
• You have the right to see results of air
  monitoring tests
• Your goal is to prevent asbestos from becoming
  airborne

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Safe Housekeeping

• When cleaning areas containing friable,asbestos-c
  ontaining materials
• Use dampened mops
• Do not use brooms
• Do not use traditional vacuum cleaners
• Stay away from damaged materials containing
  asbestos

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Regulated Areas

• Contain dangerous levels of airborne asbestos
• Will be marked with signs
• Require you to follow these precautions
• Wear respirators and protective clothing
• Leave all protective clothing and equipment in
  the workplace
• Shower after leaving the regulated area

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If You Must Disturb Asbestos

• Turn off the ventilation system
• Spray the material with water
• Place a drop cloth below the work area
• Double bag, label all materials exposed to
  asbestos for proper disposal

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Asbestos at Your Job Site

• Know the items / surfaces that may contain
  asbestos at your school site

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Summary

• Asbestos kills
• Beware of material that easily crumbles
  containing asbestos
• If you must work near asbestos, your goal is to
  prevent asbestos from becoming airborne
• Regulated areas contain dangerous levels of
  airborne asbestos