Purpose / Scope
This document outlines the University of Utah approach to asbestos management in order to minimize and/or eliminate the possibility of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.
This protocol does not provide guidance for University operations in leased spaces.
Definitions
ACM: Asbestos containing material. Any material containing more than 1% asbestos.
Class I Asbestos Work: Means activities involving the removal of thermal system insulation (TSI) and surfacing ACM and PACM.
Class II asbestos work: Means activities involving the removal of ACM which is not thermal system insulation or surfacing material. This includes, but is not limited to, the removal of asbestos-containing wallboard, floor tile and sheeting, roofing and siding shingles, and construction mastics.
Class III asbestos work: Means repair and maintenance operations, where “ACM”, including TSI and surfacing ACM and PACM, is likely to be disturbed.
Class IV asbestos work: Means maintenance and custodial activities during which employees contact but do not disturb ACM or PACM and activities to clean up dust, waste and debris resulting from Class I, II, and III activities.
Competent Person: One who is capable of identifying existing asbestos hazards in the workplace and selecting the appropriate control strategy for asbestos exposure and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate those hazards.
Contracting Department: For the purposes of this procedure, any department that contracts to have work done in University owned buildings and facilities; e.g., Facilities Management, Hospital Facilities and Engineering, University Student Apartments, University Information Technology, Housing and Residential Education, etc.
Friable asbestos: Material containing at least one percent asbestos which, when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
Negative Exposure Assessment: A demonstration by means of analytical sampling and assessment that employee exposure during an operation is expected to be consistently below OSHA permissible exposure limits.
NESHAP: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. NESHAP-size projects are those which involve at least 260 linear feet of friable asbestos on pipes or 160 square feet of friable asbestos on other surfaces, or at least 35 cubic feet of friable asbestos on components not previously measured.
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA permissible exposure limits: a legal limit in the United States for exposure of an employee to a chemical substance or physical agent including asbestos.
PACM: Presumed asbestos containing material. Utah State regulations require the asbestos content of materials which will be disturbed to be determined prior to work taking place, regardless of the date of construction.
Regulated area: An area established by the employer to demarcate areas where Class I, II, and III asbestos work is conducted, and any adjoining areas where debris and waste from such asbestos work accumulate; and a work area within which airborne concentrations of asbestos exceed, or there is a reasonable possibility they may exceed, the permissible exposure limits.
Protocol
The contracting department shall ensure that the structure or facility to be demolished or renovated is inspected for ACM by an inspector certified under the provisions of R307-801-6. An asbestos survey report shall be generated according to the provisions of R307-801-10. The contracting department shall make the asbestos survey report available on site to all persons who have access to the site for the duration of the renovation or demolition activities, and to the executive secretary upon request.
Operations in which any asbestos material is drilled, cut, abraded, sanded, chipped, broken, crushed, or sawed are not allowed.
Identification of ACM and PACM must be made by a state accredited inspector. Suspect materials must be tested for asbestos content prior to disturbing for any reason. Samples must be collected by a State accredited inspector. Samples must be analyzed by a NVLAP (National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program) accredited laboratory.
All NESHAP-size abatement projects must be coordinated with the assistance of the University Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) department or a private industrial hygiene consulting firm.
Maintenance, telecommunications, and custodial activities where the limited disturbance of small quantities of ACM is incidental and unavoidable must be performed as outlined in the University Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Program.
All contractors (e.g., general, electrical, mechanical, etc.) must be informed of the University’s posture regarding asbestos, including identification of known ACM locations.
Responsibilities
Building Occupants: Follow procedures as outlined above. Report any loose or damaged ACM or PACM to Facilities Management or OEHS.
Contracting Departments: Prepare bidding documents to ensure compliance with applicable asbestos regulations including advanced notification in accordance with State of Utah Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
Contract with Department of Environmental Quality licensed abatement contractors who also meet the University’s insurance requirements. Variations in practice must be coordinated with OEHS.
Ensure that any bulk samples that are collected are done so by a Department of Air Quality accredited inspector. Provide all results to OEHS.
Provide appropriate communications to contractors, contract employees, and building occupants regarding the presence and removal of ACM and PACM.
Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety: Coordinate the Asbestos Program. Develop and maintain a database of approved abatement contractors.
Provide industrial hygiene consultation.
Provide regulatory interpretations to University supervisors and managers to ensure compliance and understanding.
Maintenance, Telecommunications, and Custodial Supervisors: Ensure employees receive training on possible location of asbestos containing materials, hazards, and procedures for reporting incidents. Document training which should be conducted with all new personnel and annually thereafter.
Report asbestos incidents to OEHS for follow-up.
Report any loose or damaged ACM or PACM to Facilities or OEHS.
Maintenance, Telecommunications, and Custodial Personnel: Perform duties as trained.
Report any loose or damaged ACM or PACM to Facilities or OEHS.
References
Environmental Protection Agency, 40 CFR Part 61, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
National Institute of Building Sciences, Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Work Practices Guidance Manual, 2nd Edition
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR Part 1910.1001 and 1910.1101
State of Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Utah Air Conservation Rules, R307-1-8
University of Utah, PPM 2-73, Environmental Health and Safety Policy
OEHS: Our life’s work is caring for your work life!”