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, warning signs, recordkeeping, and medical exams. Subsequent monitoring must be conducted at reasonable intervals, in no case longer than six months for employees exposed above the action level. Daily monitoring need not be done where employees are using supplied-air respirators operated in the positive pressure mode.