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1i occupational exposure to asbestos may cause diseases of prolonged induction -latency, the need for medical surveillance may extend well beyond termination of employment. • Sentinel health events Delayed -onset SHE's include: Scarring of the lungs (asbesto- sis) and its lining (pleural fibrosis) and cancer of the lungs (bronchogenic lung cancer) and its lining (mesothelioma). �10101 =1 oil I v im • TWA exposure evaluation Measurements to determine worker exposure to asbestos should be taken so that the TWA exposure is based on a single entire workshift sample or an appropriate number of consecu- tive samples collected during the entire workshift. Under cer- tain conditions, it may be appropriate to collect several short-term interval samples (up to 30 minutes each) to deter- mine the average exposure level. Air samples should be taken in the worker's breathing zone (air that most nearly represents that inhaled by the worker). Methoil Sampling and analysis for airborne asbestos may be performed by collecting asbestos fibers with membrane filters and analyz- ing by phase contrast micraoscopy. A detailed sampling and ana- lytical method for asbestos may be found in the NIOSHManual of Analytical Methods (method number 7400). •00; 101 Fuel d kyj =1 401 Chemical protective clothing (CPC) should be selected after utilizing available performance data, consulting with the manufacturer, and then evaluating the clothing under actual use conditions. Workers should be provided with and required to use CPC, gloves, and Ater appropriate protective clothing necessary to prevent skin contact with asbestos. Clothing which is contaminated with asbestos should be re- moved at the end of the work period and placed in nonreusa- ble, impermeable containers for storage, transport, and disposal until it can be discarded or until provision is made for the removal of asbestos from the clothing. These containers should be marked "Asbestos -Contaminated Clothing„ in easy - to -read letters. If the clothing is to be laundered or cleaned, the person performing the operation should be informed of as- bestos's hazardous properties. Reusable clothing and equip- ment should be checked for residual contamination before reuse or storage. A change room with showers, washing facilities, and lockers that permit separation of street and work clothes should be provided. Workers should be required to shower following a workshift and prior to putting on street clothes. Clean work clothes should be provided daily. Skin that becomes contaminated with asbestos should be promptly washed with soap and water. The storage, preparation, dispensing, or consumption of food or beverages, the storage or application of cosmetics, the storage or smoking of tobacco or other smoking materials, or the storage or use of products for chewing should be prohibit- ed in work areas. Workers who handle asbestos should wash their faces, hands, and forearms thoroughly with soap and water before eating, smoking, or using toilet facilities. COMMON OPERATIONS AND CONTROLS Common operations in which exposure to asbestos may occur and control methods which may be effective in each case are listed in Table 2. Thble 2,Operations and methods of control for asbestos Operations Controls During asbestos removal Process enclosure, wet pro- cess (when possible), per- sonal protective equipment During the production of as- Process enclosure, local ex bestos or the manufacture of haust ventilation, wet pro - products containing as- cess (when possible), bestos personal protective equip- ment During the demolition of Water spray, personal pro - buildings tective equipment s 4 a In the event of an emergency, remove the victim from further exposure, send for medical assistance, and initiate emergen- cy procedures. • Eye exposure Where there is any possibility of a worker's eyes being exposed to asbestos, an eye wash fountain should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use. If asbestos gets into the eyes, flush them immediately with large amounts of water for 15 minutes, lifting the lower and upper lids occasionally. Get medical attention as soon as possible. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this sub- stance. • Skin exposure If asbestos gets on the skin, wash it immediately with soap and water. • Rescue If a worker has been incapacitated, move the affected worker from the hazardous exposure. Put into effect the established emergency rescue procedures. Do not become a casualty. Un- derstand the facility's emergency rescue procedures and know the locations of rescue equipment before the need arises. Workers not wearing protective equipment and clothing should be restricted from areas of spills or leaks until cleanup has been completed.