Asbestos containment is performed in order to reduce or eliminate the risks of asbestos exposure on human health. Asbestos is the name of a group of chemicals that have been used in certain products because of their strength, integrity and durability. Asbestos has been used in over three thousand products worldwide and was used extensively throughout the 1900s in the construction, shipyard, custodial, automotive, and other industries. In the mid 1970s, medical studies revealed that dangerous exposure to asbestos products has the potential to cause asbestos cancer and other serious health conditions.
Once these serious health threats were understood, the use of asbestos in products and buildings sharply declined. Many structures and products still contain asbestos that can be extremely hazardous to those exposed. Experts estimate that at least 1.3 million construction workers are still at risk of developing asbestos-related disease because of workplace exposure. Individuals who dwell in buildings which have dangerous asbestos-containing products are also in danger. Because of these exposure threats, asbestos containment is necessary in order to protect people from serious health problems.
OSHA Asbestos Containment in the Workplace
Asbestos containment in the workplace is required under federal law. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers meet a number of asbestos containment requirements in order to protect employees from the health hazards of working with or around asbestos. Asbestos containment regulations as defined by OSHA, a mandate that asbestos exposure levels not exceed 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter for an eight hour day or 1 fiber per cubic centimeter in a thirty minute period. Employers are also required to conduct routine exposure monitoring, in some cases on a daily basis.
In work environments where asbestos exposure is inevitable or probable, asbestos containment requires that employers create controlled areas designed to protect employees from asbestos hazards. These are sealed restricted areas where, upon entrance, workers may be required to wear protective clothing, use respirators, and shower before exit.
Limiting Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos containment in any structure involves professional assessment of asbestos materials in order to create an optimal plan for mitigating the threats of exposure. Asbestos becomes dangerous only when its integrity is damaged and tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air where they may be inhaled or ingested. For this reason, it is important that asbestos containment be handled only by trained professionals. These qualified asbestos containment professionals with analyze the dangers of asbestos materials and suggest the best way to handle the problem. Asbestos containment can be achieved through complete removal, encapsulation, or enclosure of the asbestos containing material. If asbestos materials are found to be intact and non-friable encapsulation, enclosure or even simple routine monitoring of the materials is a sufficient asbestos containment plan. If asbestos materials are found to be hazardous, complete removal or careful asbestos containment procedures will be necessary.
For more information on asbestos containment, or any other asbestos concern, please contact us to confer with a qualified and experienced asbestos attorney in your area.
