Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber.  It was used in numerous building materials and vehicle products for its strength and ability to resist heat and corrosion before its dangerous health effects were discovered.  Depending on number and severity of asbestos exposures, the long-term health effects can include a variety of respiratory diseases, increased risk of lung cancer, general weakening of the immune system, and ultimately death.  Individual asbestos fibers cannot be seen by the naked eye which puts workers who may encounter these products at increased risks.  This training will provide some guidance to help you identify potential asbestos hazards as well as what you should do when you discover or strongly suspect them.

The first thing to know is that just because a product may contain asbestos, it does not mean that you are automatically at risk.  Asbestos is only highly hazardous if you break, cut into, or grind on materials made with it and the fibers become frayed and airborne.

Many construction materials produced prior to 1980 contained asbestos including, but not limited to:

·         Caulking and joint compound

·         Ceiling and floor tiles

·         Heat resistant fabrics

·         Insulation used to cover furnaces and hot water/steam pipes

·         Roofing shingles

·         Siding shingles

·         Textured paints and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings

·         Walls and floors used with wood burning stoves. 

What this means is that if you find yourself assigned with an installation or remodel in a home or business built before 1980, you need to make sure the home owner or business contact was asked about any inspections conducted to identify and abate asbestos BEFORE that job begins.

If you are conducting a typical service call in a pre-1980 house or business, and you witness excessive damage, wear and tear, or corrosion to surrounding pipes, insulation, flooring, etc., in your work area, you should stop work immediately to investigate the situation further. You need to ask the homeowner or business contact about any known asbestos materials at the location and then bring your concerns and any additional information you gathered from the customer to your manager to determine the best course of action