Washington State University
SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

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Asbestos Safety

Asbestos materials are health hazards because:

• Inhaled asbestos fibers can be trapped in the lungs, irritate lung tissue, and cause scarring. This inhibits the lungs' ability to process oxygen.


• Inhaled asbestos fibers have been linked to cancerous cell growth in the lungs.

University employees are to follow the procedures outlined below to prevent and/or limit exposure to asbestos and potential injuries.

Only certified personnel may remove or disturb asbestos-containing materials.

Promptly report any accidental disturbances of asbestos materials to Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S); telephone 335-3041.

Only state-certified personnel may clean up asbestos materials. See below.

State-certified asbestos workers must maintain installed asbestos products in good repair.

Label all known asbestos-containing materials.

Post warnings in all regulated asbestos removal or control areas.

• Contact EH&S for further information concerning payment for asbestos warning signs and labels; telephone 335-3041.
  
  
• EH&S coordinates the posting of asbestos warning signs and labels with Facilities Operations. Contact EH&S for assistance.

EH&S maintains the written asbestos program.

Contact EH&S for assistance.

Asbestos may be present in the following materials:

• Pipe insulation, tank insulation, boiler insulation;
• Gaskets;
• Fireproofing;
• Popcorn ceilings, ceiling tiles;
• Floor tiles, linoleum, mastics;
• Roofing material, transite panels, and sheetrock.

Until a lab analysis proves otherwise, assume that all building materials installed prior to 1980 contain asbestos. These materials include:

• All thermal system insulation (e.g., pipe insulation, boiler insulation, tank insulation),
• Sprayed or troweled surfacing material, and
• Asphalt and vinyl flooring.

A state-accredited asbestos inspector must sample all suspect materials prior to any disturbance, including maintenance, remodeling, or demolition.

Contact Facilities Operations to arrange the sampling.

Only employees who have received current state-approved certification as asbestos workers, asbestos supervisors, or asbestos Class II workers may remove, cut, abrade, drill, sand, scrape or otherwise deliberately disturb any asbestos-containing materials.

These employees must have:

• Bi-annual respirator fit tests (see 3.24),
  


• Annual respirator training (see 3.24),
  


• Annual certification, and


• Annual medical surveillance exams. Contact Human Resource Services (HRS); telephone 335-4521.

HRS maintains copies of the exam records. HRS sends annual reminders to employees to schedule medical surveillance exams.

All employees who could accidentally disturb asbestos-containing materials in the course of their job duties must receive training on:

• Identifying possible asbestos-containing materials,


• Preventing asbestos exposure,


• Regulatory requirements,


• Work practices,


• Personal protective equipment, and


• Other topics as required.

Contact the EH&S asbestos program coordinator to arrange training.

All brake and clutch repairs on motorized vehicles must follow specific work practices related to asbestos safety, as per WAC 296-62-07745, Appendix F.

Contact EH&S for more information; telephone 335-3041.