The revised regulations allow flexibility in designing projects for the removal of materials containing asbestos. This is especially true for Class II projects. Under these revised regulations, the University of Florida has been removing vinyl asbestos floor tile for four years using work practices based on the recommendations from the Resilient Flooring Institute. These work practices have dramatically lowered the cost of removing floor tile, while maintaining employee safety. University maintenance departments and building occupants have both demonstrated a preference for the modified removal technique over traditional removal techniques.
Employees use a putty knife with wet technique to work the tiles loose.
High efficiency particulate air filtered vacuums are used to clean the work site before and after tile removal. Because the tiles are essentially intact when they are removed, there is little measurable exposure to asbestos fibers. The tile mastic is leveled and left in place rather than removed with grinding or solvents. The OSHA requirements for training are not as lengthy for workers whose only asbestos work is tile removal. Under the negative exposure assessment for this work, respirators and protective clothing is not required.