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How to Work Safely with Asbestos

This 2 minute safety training video covers: Three most common materials that contain asbestos, what to do if you find damaged asbestos materials, how to temporarily patch asbestos damaged area, proper PPE to wear when working with asbestos, composition and nature of asbestos, types of materials that may contain asbestos and where they are encountered and how to spot potential releases of asbestos fibers. This clip was taken from a full-length training video. Click here to watch the 14 minute full length version.

The Full-Length Version is Available on DVD!

OSHA’s regulation 29 CFR 1910.1101... "Occupational Exposure to Asbestos" requires that all employees who could come into contact with materials that might contain asbestos be given appropriate training on working safely in these situations. Employees are divided into four classes. Classes I - III are employees whose work involves "installing" or "disturbing" materials that might contain asbestos. However, the largest group of employees covered by this regulation fall into the Class IV group, which involves employees that get involved in... "maintenance and custodial activities to clean up waste and debris containing these type of materials."

Since many materials commonly used in buildings for many years (including ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, and wall and pipe insulation) contain asbestos, this means that the regulation applies to virtually every custodial, janitorial and maintenance worker in the country.

Atlantic Training’s Asbestos Training Video and Awareness program has been created specifically to educate employees about the dangers of working with materials that may contain asbestos.

Topics covered include:

Video Transcript

Usually asbestos fibers are mixed with other materials to form a matrix that binds them together. Some common matrix materials are vinyl, rubber, tar, paint, epoxy, cement, and even plant fiber. When bonded together with the asbestos fibers, the matrix become an Asbestos Containing Material or ACM. Suspected material are called Presumed Asbestos-Containing Material or PACM. Damaged ACM is more likely to release fibers than intact ACM. This potential for fiber release depends largely on material friability. Friable ACM can be crumbled, pulvurized, or reduced to powder easily by crushing between fingers when dry. Non friable ACM is harder to breakdown because the fibers are tightly bonded. Even ACM that is non friable when intact such as roofing, floor tiles can release hazardous fiber concentration when sewed, sanded or broken up.