Asbestos is a widely used, mineral-based material that is resistant to heat and corrosive chemicals.
An estimated 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Heaviest exposures occur in the construction industry, particularly during the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition. Both standards set a maximum exposure limit and include provisions for engineering controls and respirators, protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene facilities and practices, warning signs, labeling, recordkeeping, and medical exams. Nonasbestiform tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite were excluded from coverage under the asbestos standard in May 1992. Subsequent monitoring must be conducted at reasonable intervals, in no case longer than six months for employees exposed above the action level.