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occupational exposure to asbestos may cause diseases of The storage,preparation,dispensing,or consumption of food prolonged induction-latency,the need for medical surveillance or beverages, the storage or application of cosmetics, the may extend well beyond termination of employment. storage or smoking of tobacco or other smoking materials,or • Sentinel health events the storage or use of products for chewing should be prohibit- Delayed-onset SHE's include:Scarring of the lungs(asbesto- ed in work areas. sis) and its lining (pleural fibrosis) and cancer of the lungs Workers who handle asbestos should wash their faces,hands, (bronchogenic lung cancer)and its lining(mesothelioma). and forearms thoroughly with soap and water before eating, MONITORING AND MEASUREMENT smoking, or using toilet facilities. PROCEDURES COMMON OPERATIONS AND CONTROLS • TWA exposure evaluation Common operations in which exposure to asbestos may occur Measurements to determine worker exposure to asbestos and control methods which may be effective in each case are should be taken so that the TWA exposure is based on a single listed in Table 2. entire workshift sample or an appropriate number of consecu- Table 2.—Operations and methods of -tive samples collected during the entire workshift. Under cer- control for asbestos tain conditions, it may be appropriate to collect several Operations Controls short-term interval samples(up to 30 minutes each)to deter- mine the average exposure level.Air samples should be taken During asbestos removal Process enclosure,wet pro- in the worker's breathing zone(air that most nearly represents cess (when possible), per- that inhaled by the worker). sonal protective equipment • Method During the production of as- Process enclosure,local ex- Sampling and analysis for airborne asbestos may be performed bestos or the manufacture of haust ventilation, wet pro- by collecting asbestos fibers with membrane filters and analyz- products containing as- cess (when possible), ing by phase contrast microscopy.A detailed sampling and ana- bestos personal protective equip- lytical method for asbestos may be found in the NIOSH Manual ment of Analytical Methods (method number 7400). pro- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT During the demolition of Water spray, personal pro- buildings tective equipment Chemical protective clothing(CPC)should be selected after utilizing available performance data, consulting with the EMERGENCY FIRST AID PROCEDURES manufacturer,and then evaluating the clothing under actual use In the event of an emergency, remove the victim from further conditions. exposure, send for medical assistance,and initiate emergen- t Workers should be provided with and required to use CPC, cy procedures. gloves,and other appropriate protective clothing necessary to . Eye exposure prevent skin contact with asbestos. Where there is any possibility of a worker's eyes being exposed SANITATION to asbestos, an eye wash fountain should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use. Clothing which is contaminated with asbestos should be re- If asbestos gets into the eyes,flush them immediately with large moved at the end of the work period and placed in nonreusa- amounts of water for 15 minutes, lifting the lower and upper ble, impermeable containers for storage, transport, and lids occasionally. Get medical attention as soon as possible. disposal until it can be discarded or until provision is made for Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this sub- the removal of asbestos from the clothing. These containers stance_ should be marked"Asbestos-Contaminated Clothing"in easy- • Skin exposure to-read letters. If the clothing is to be laundered or cleaned, the person performing the operation should be informed of as- If asbestos gets on the skin,wash it immediately with soap and bestos's hazardous properties. Reusable clothing and equip- water. ment should be checked for residual contamination before reuse • Rescue or storage. If a worker has been incapacitated, move the affected worker from the hazardous exposure. Put into effect the established A change room with showers,washing facilities,and lockers emergency rescue procedures.Do not become a casualty.that permit separation of street and work clothes should be Un- derstand the facility's emergency rescue procedures and know provided. the locations of rescue equipment before the need arises. Workers should be required to shower following a workshift and prior to putting on street clothes.Clean work clothes should SPILLS AND LEAKS be provided daily. Workers not wearing protective equipment and clothing should Skin that becomes contaminated with asbestos should be be restricted from areas of spills or leaks until cleanup has been promptly washed with soap and water. completed. 1988 Asbestos 3