ASBESTOS

Asbestos is considered to be a confirmed human carcinogen, meaning that it has the ability to cause cancer in humans. Older buildings may contain asbestos. It was used in light ballasts, insulation and in some floor tiles. If your facility contains asbestos, you must comply with the regulations for asbestos.

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· EXPOSURE LIMITS

· REQUIREMENTS

Ø Precautions

Ø Training

Ø Ventilation

EXPOSURE LIMITS

The employer must ensure that a worker’s exposure to a substance does not exceed the exposure limits listed in Table 3 of Schedule A.

Type of fibre	8-hour exposure limits (fibres longer than 5 micrometres per ml of air)	15-minute exposure limit (fibres longer than 5 micrometres per ml of air)
Chrysotile, fibrous anthrophyllite, and actinolite	2	10
Crocidolite fibre	0.2	5
Amosite and tremolite fibre	0.5	2.5

(General Safety Regulations 1990, Schedule A Table 3)

REQUIREMENTS

The requirements of the Asbestos Safety Regulations apply when any material containing asbestos is repaired or maintained.

Precautions

The employer must ensure that the following precautions are taken when asbestos-containing materials are repaired or maintained:

• Provide each worker who may be exposed to asbestos with respiratory equipment designed for use in asbestos processes and that has been approved by the Canadian Standards Association.
• Provide each worker who may be exposed to asbestos with dustproof coveralls, gauntlets, eye protection and headgear.
• Ensure that, at all times during the asbestos process, ventilation and air filtering equipment is in operation and removing asbestos dust from the air.
• Enclose the work area to prevent the escape of asbestos dust.
• Post warning notices in prominent places indicating that an asbestos process is in progress.
• Ensure that, prior to disturbing any asbestos surface, the asbestos is soaked with water through its entire thickness. Where a safety officer is of the opinion that it is not practicable to comply with this requirement, ensure that any asbestos surface is kept wet as it is being disturbed.
• Clean the work area surrounding an asbestos process thoroughly each day by vacuum equipment or a wet cleaning method approved by a safety officer.
• Ensure that all asbestos materials, debris and dust are placed in sealed, airtight containers and clearly labelled ASBESTOS. (Asbestos Safety Regulations, 5)

Training

The employer must provide the following training to any worker who is likely to come in contact with asbestos:

• Demonstration and instruction in the use of all protective equipment.
• The safe handling and proper disposal of waste asbestos.
• Health education including information relating to pneumoconiosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and the effects of smoking.

• Any other information a safety officer considers necessary. (Asbestos Safety Regulations, 6)

Ventilation

Where an employer uses ventilation and air filtering equipment, the employer must inspect and clean the equipment weekly. (Asbestos Safety Regulations, 7)

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