Asbestos Awareness

WORKBO OK

© Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

Welcome to Grace Hill’s

Asbestos Awareness Workbook

This course is all about asbestos safety in your workplace. You’ll learn where
to find possible asbestos-containing materials in your community, the health
risks of overexposure, and how your employer is required to protect you.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines specific
training requirements for employees depending upon their individual
exposure levels.
This workbook will enhance your learning experience and provide you with
an easy-to-reference job aid to use when you return to work. Please take a
moment to download this workbook and complete the activities as you go
through the course. Then, print the job aids as reminders of the important
strategies you learned so you can practice applying them on the job.

Course Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for educational and informational purposes only, and is not
intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal advice. You should consult an attorney regarding particular
sets of facts or circumstances, including your own company’s policies and procedures or specific instances of conduct
in the workplace.

___________________________________ ___________________________________
Name Date

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

 MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO ASBESTOS
Fill-in-the-Blank, True/False and Reflection
Questions to demonstrate your knowledge.

What is Asbestos?

Most people believe asbestos risk is a thing of the past. Yet, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 107,000 schools and 733,000 public
and commercial buildings have asbestos-containing materials. This means that more
than 1.3 _______________ employees face significant asbestos exposure on the job.

When experts refer to asbestos, they typically call the material “ _______________
_______________ .”

Asbestos fibers are virtually indestructible and are _______________ to chemicals

and heat. These fibers do not evaporate into air or dissolve into water. To further
complicate matters, asbestos fibers are tiny and can stay suspended in the air for
days.

OSHA has outlined classes of employees based on asbestos exposure risk. Most
associates in the multifamily industry would be considered _______________
_______________ or _______________ _______________ employees.

Asbestos History

Asbestos-containing materials, or ACMs, were used to fireproof, insulate,

soundproof, and decorate.

If installed before _______________ , you can assume these types of materials do

contain asbestos.

In the early 1970s, the Federal government began suspending the use of some
asbestos products. By _______________ , the _______________ banned all “new uses”
of asbestos. This means that companies were prohibited from developing new
products containing asbestos materials.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

The EPA also regulates the release of asbestos from factories, building
demolition, and renovation.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

 MODULE 2: HEALTH RISKS OF ASBESTOS
EXPOSURE
Fill-in-the-Blank, True/False and Reflection
Questions to demonstrate your knowledge.

Health Effects

Undisturbed asbestos _______________ _______________ pose a health risk.

It is only when asbestos is disturbed—through sawing, scraping, or sanding—that

it becomes hazardous.

Asbestos enters the body through ingestion or inhalation.

True False

Asbestos-related conditions usually impact the _______________ and an individual’s

ability to breathe.

Health Conditions

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that invades the lungs and

LUNG CANCER
obstructs breathing.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer impacting the lining of
_______________
the chest and abdomen.
Asbestosis is a serious, progressive, long-term respiratory
ASBESTOSIS
disease caused by lung tissue scarring.

If you or anyone you know has been exposed to asbestos, you should note that
smoking and asbestos exposure—even past exposure—is very hazardous.

Smokers who have been or will be exposed to asbestos have a greatly increased risk
of developing _______________ _______________ .

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

Where is Asbestos?

As we’ve learned, asbestos was used frequently in construction and

engineering.

But, because new uses of asbestos are banned, where can we find asbestos
hazards today?

Inside an apartment home, asbestos can be found in places where _______________

and _______________ are important.

Soundproofing or decorative materials sprayed onto walls or

WALL (OUTSIDE)
ceilings could contain asbestos.
WALL (INSIDE) Wall or ceiling insulation could contain asbestos.

FIREPLACE Sprayed-on fireproofing and insulation can contain asbestos.

Ceiling tiles and wall or ceiling textures could contain asbestos
CEILING
fibers.
Numerous types of flooring could contain asbestos materials,
FLOOR especially those that use an adhesive backing. These could
include flooring tiles, vinyl, asphalt, or rubber floors.
Roofing _______________ or _______________ in older homes
ROOF
could contain asbestos fibers.

Any furnaces or wood burning stoves could have asbestos

FURNACE
materials, especially in the _______________ _______________ .

Steam pipes, boilers, or furnace ducts could be

PIPES
_______________ with asbestos blankets or asbestos paper tape.

Recognizing Hazards

You should promptly inform your _______________ if you see areas potentially
containing asbestos that are:

• Cracked, crumbling, peeling, or blistered.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.
 • Delaminated or showing adhesive failure.
• Gouged, crushed, punctured, marred, or abraded.
• Water stained.

The most hazardous type of asbestos is what experts refer to as

“_______________ _______________ .”

Friable asbestos _______________ when touched. When this happens, asbestos

fibers become airborne quickly and easily.

You cannot visually determine if materials contain asbestos with the

naked eye.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

 MODULE 3: ASBESTOS WORK PROCEDURES
Fill-in-the-Blank, True/False and Reflection
Questions to demonstrate your knowledge.

Asbestos Safety & Repair

As you work within an apartment home, you may be asked to perform tasks that
could expose you to asbestos. This is particularly true if you work in a community
built before _______________ .

Any time you work in an area with asbestos-containing materials, your safety is
imperative. Activities performed near asbestos or areas potentially containing
asbestos should be performed cautiously.

_______________ drill, hammer, cut, saw, break, move, damage, or disturb

asbestos-containing materials.

Flooring containing asbestos requires a special note here. Even while preparing an
apartment home for a new resident, asbestos exposure can be a concern.

Maintenance Technicians and Housekeepers should take care to never

_______________ or _______________ _______________ asbestos-containing floor tiles.
Damaged flooring should not be buffed at all.

Asbestos Removal

Removal can be expensive and time-consuming. It is also a tremendous safety

concern because removal poses the _______________ _______________ of asbestos
fiber release.

Many community managers see removal as the last option, unless required by
state or local _______________ .

The removal of asbestos is a complex process, one that should only be attempted by
personnel with special training.

Improper removal can increase the health risks associated with asbestos.
Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.
Wet Removal

Wet removal, _______________ vacuuming, and proper disposal techniques must be

used during any removal process.

Wet removal methods cover a range of work practices.

Though only _______________ _______________ should attempt removal, it can be

helpful for Maintenance Technicians to have a basic understanding of how wet
removal works.

In most cases, “ _______________ _______________ ” is used during wet removal.

This means that chemicals have been added to reduce the surface tension of
the water, increasing its ability to penetrate the asbestos. The EPA recommends
using a _______________ : _______________ mixture of polyoxyethylene ester and
polyoxyethylene ether, in a 0.16 percent solution. For example, this would involve
_______________ ounce of the solution in _______________ gallons of water.

HEPA vacuums are not necessary for asbestos removal. Any standard
vacuum used for housekeeping will do. True False

Cleanup

Cleaning up after asbestos removal or repair is not as easy as simply vacuuming

around the room.

First, the _______________ must be wet and remain wet until collected and contained.

Cleanup Procedures

• Lightly mist the air with _______________ from high to low.

• Use a HEPA vacuum on all window sills, wall protrusions, signs, air vents,
suspended light fixtures, immovable fixtures, and any other exposed surfaces.
• Using a wet cloth, wipe down all wall surfaces that were previously HEPA
vacuumed.
• HEPA vacuum every inch of the carpeting _______________ _______________ .
• All flooring should be cleaned using a wet mop.
Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.
Disposal

Wet cloths, rags, mops, waste, bags, or containers used in asbestos cleanup must be
disposed of as soon as possible in labeled, sealed, and impermeable containers.

The EPA and the Department of Transportation have regulations regarding the
disposal of asbestos-containing materials. State and local laws may also apply.

Asbestos Release Episodes

A major release is defined as one involving more than _______________ square feet
or three linear feet of ACMs. A _______________ release is defined as involving less
than three square feet or three linear feet of ACMs.

Now, see if you can build a checklist for managing a minor release.

1. Isolate the _______________ .

2. Place warning signs near the area.
3. _______________ access to the area.
4. Shut down and _______________ the HVAC system before _______________ .
5. Check with a supervisor before beginning cleanup.

In the case of a major release, cleanup _______________ an individual trained in

asbestos abatement.

Thorough cleanup procedures must be employed to control the ACM. After cleanup
is complete, a careful inspection is required. The process is complete after an
_______________ - _______________ sample shows that airborne asbestos levels are
safe for residents.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

 MODULE 4: EMPLOYEE PROTECTION FROM
ASBESTOS
Fill-in-the-Blank, True/False and Reflection
Questions to demonstrate your knowledge.

Monitoring & Surveillance

The OSHA monitoring and surveillance rules we’ll learn in this section apply to
all Class III and Class IV employees.

The long-term permissible exposure level, or _______________ , for asbestos

exposure is _______________ fibers per cubic centimeter of air, averaged over an
8-hour work shift. This limit must not be exceeded.

The short-term PEL is _______________ fibers per cubic centimeter over a

_______________ - _______________ sampling period. No employee should ever be
exposed to an airborne concentration in excess of the short-term PEL.

Air Monitoring

If you are renovating or repairing an older community where there is an asbestos

risk, your employer is required to conduct an initial monitoring.

If the PEL is _______________ in that initial monitoring, _______________ monitoring

should follow. Monitoring should be conducted at least every six months if
employees are exposed above the permissible limits.

Medical Surveillance

Though medical surveillance will rarely be required for multifamily associates, it can
be helpful to understand how medical surveillance works.

The exam includes:

• A comprehensive medical questionnaire

• Physical examination
• Full lung exam, including lung functioning tests
Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.
_______________ requires that:

• The physician only report to the employer findings relevant to _______________

_______________ .
• The physician will provide an opinion regarding the employee’s asbestos-
related health risks.
• The physician will send _______________ recommendations to the employer.
• Medical surveillance records, including the physician’s written opinions, must
be maintained for the duration of the employee’s time with the company plus
_______________ _______________ .

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls protect employees against asbestos exposure by

_______________ _______________ between the employee and the asbestos. The goal
is to limit exposure to or below the PEL.

If you work in an area where asbestos air sampling meets or exceeds the PEL, this is
what OSHA calls a “ _______________ _______________ .”

Warning signs should be posted near the entrances to all regulated areas.

Your goal is to represent your company well and be a messenger for

your product or service. True False

Employee Responsibility

The first step to protecting yourself and your fellow employees is simple:
_______________ _______________.

Never eat, drink, smoke, chew tobacco or gum, or apply makeup in a regulated area.
If you suspect an area or a material contains asbestos, do not disturb it.

_______________ _______________ _______________ , which will be provided by

your employer, could include:

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

 • A _______________
• Disposable coveralls with built-in boots, one pair for each entry into a
regulated work area
• Rubber boots that can be washed off or disposed of if contaminated
• Eye _______________
• _______________ _______________

The EPA has a very strict guidelines regarding the disposal of asbestos or
personal protective equipment that may be contaminated with asbestos.

First Aid Procedures

In addition to understanding how to prevent the spread of asbestos fibers, you need
to know what to do if you come in contact with asbestos.

In the event of eye exposure:

• Flush eyes immediately with water for _______________ _______________ , lifting

the lower and upper lids occasionally.
• Get medical attention _______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ .
• Contact lenses should be avoided when working with asbestos.

In the event of skin exposure:

• Wash exposed area _______________ with soap and water.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

 MODULE 5: RESPIRATORY PROTECTION FROM
ASBESTOS
Fill-in-the-Blank, True/False and Reflection
Questions to demonstrate your knowledge.

Respiratory Protection Standard

Asbestos dust and fibers can be _______________ _______________ to see with the
naked eye. Respirators keep workers from inhaling those fibers and causing damage
to their lungs.

OSHA requires that respirators be provided for:

• All _______________ _______________ jobs.

• All Class II jobs where ACM is not removed in a substantially _______________
state.
• All Class II and III jobs performed _______________ using wet methods, except
sloped roofs.
• All Class II and III jobs where there is _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________ .
• All Class III jobs where thermal system insulation or surfacing material ACM or
PACM is _______________ .
• All Class IV work in _______________ _______________ where employees
performing other work are required to wear respirators.
• All work where _______________ are exceeded.

Respirator Selection & Care

Air-Purifying Respirators

_______________ _______________ _______________ are a type of air-purifying

respirator. These facemasks are typically secured with elastic around the ears or
head.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

Air-purifying respirators, or APRs, have filters that remove contaminants and can be
either full-face or half-masks.

Supplied Air Respirators

_______________ _______________ are a type of supplied air respirator that provide

clean, fresh air from a stationary source, such as a compressor.

A self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, is a supplied air respirator that

provides clean air from a _______________ or other contained device. There are two
types: negative pressure, which produces negative pressure during inhalation; and
positive pressure, which produces positive pressure during inhalation.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

 MODULE 6: RESPIRATOR OPERATION
Fill-in-the-Blank, True/False and Reflection
Questions to demonstrate your knowledge.

Respirator Operation

A secure respirator is a safe one! A fit test will be conducted the first time you wear
a respirator and annually thereafter. OSHA’s fit-testing protocol, referred to as the
Controlled Negative Pressure _______________ protocol, requires three different test
exercises followed by two redonnings of the respirator.
The three test exercises are:

• _______________ Breathing
• Bending Over
• _______________ _______________

If your respirator is damaged, it is best to repair it yourself even if you

have no specific training to do so. True False

As part of your inspection, you should conduct a _______________

_______________ every time you use your respirator. Respirators provide optimal
protection when the face piece is fitted carefully.

A seal check is performed in two ways:

• _______________ - _______________ Test

• Negative-Pressure Test

If you are using an air-purifying respirator, be aware of the end-of-service-life

indicator. This indicator lets you know when it is time to _______________ the air-
purifying elements of your respirator.

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.

This is not a light you can ignore. The end-of-service-life indicator lets you know
when you are reaching the end of your respiratory protection. Replace your filter or
cartridge _______________ .

Asbestos Awareness © Grace Hill, LLC (2016). All rights reserved.