Source: http://lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/generaloccupationalhealth/HTML/62I-1_2.htm
Timestamp: 2014-04-20 03:17:48
Document Index: 354656172

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 296', '§ 296', 'art 763', '§ 296', 'art 1', 'art 2', '§ 296']

Asbestos, Tremolite, Anthrophyllite, and Actinolite-Chapter 296-62-Part I-1-2
SafetyRules & PoliciesFind a RuleAsbestos, Tremolite, Anthrophyllite, and Actinolite-Chapter 296-62-Part I-1-2
Chapter 296-62 WAC, Part I-1 (Continued)
WAC 296-62-07713 Methods of compliance for asbestos activities in general industry.
(b) The employer may also comply by using an equivalent method which follows written procedures, which the employer demonstrates can achieve equivalent exposure reductions as do the two “preferred methods.” Such demonstration must include monitoring data conducted under workplace conditions closely resembling the process, type of asbestos containing materials, control method, work practices and environmental conditions which the equivalent method will be used, or objective data, which document that under all reasonably foreseeable conditions of brake and clutch repair applications, the method results in exposure which are equivalent to the methods in WAC 296-62-07745, Appendix F.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050 and RCW 49.26.130. 00-06-075 (Order 99-40), � 296-62-07713, filed 03/01/00, effective 04/10/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, .050, RCW 49.26.040 and RCW 49.26.130. 99-17-026 (Order 98-35), � 296-62-07713, filed 08/10/99, effective 11/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-01-079, 296-62-07713, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 90-17-051 (Order 90-10), 296-62-07713, filed 8/13/90, effective 9/24/90; 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), 296-62-07713, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07713, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07713, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07715 Respiratory protection.
(1) General. For employees who use respirators as required by WAC 296-62-077 through 296-62-07747, the employer must provide respirators that comply with the requirements of this section. Respirators must be used during:
(b) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities, for which engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible;
(c) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limits;
(d) Emergencies;
(e) Work operations in all regulated areas, except for construction activities which follow requirements set forth in WAC 296-62-07715 (1)(g);
(f) Work operations whenever employee exposure exceeds the permissible exposure limits;
(g) The following construction activities:
(i) Class I asbestos work;
(ii) Class II work where the ACM is not removed in a substantially intact state;
(iii) Class II and Class III work which is not performed using wet methods, except for removal of ACM from sloped roofs when a negative-exposure assessment has been made and the ACM is removed in an intact state;
(iv) Class II and Class III asbestos work for which a negative-exposure assessment has not been conducted;
(v) Class III work when TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM is being disturbed;
(vi) Class IV work performed within regulated areas where employees who are performing other work are required to wear respirators.
(b) Employers must provide an employee with a tight-fitting, powered, air-purifying respirator (PAPR) instead of a negative-pressure respirator selected when an employee chooses to use a PAPR and the respirator provides the protection to the employee.
(c) The employer must inform any employee required to wear a respirator under this section that the employee may require the employer to provide a tight-fitting, powered, air-purifying respirator (PAPR) instead of a negative-pressure respirator.
(d) No employee must be assigned to tasks requiring the use of respirators if, based on their most recent medical examination, the examining physician determines that the employee will be unable to function normally using a respirator, or that the safety or health of the employee or other employees will be impaired by the use of a respirator. Such employees must be assigned to another job or given the opportunity to transfer to a different position, the duties of which they can perform. If such a transfer position is available, the position must be with the same employer, in the same geographical area, and with the same seniority, status, and rate of pay the employee had just prior to such transfer.
(a) Select and provide to employees appropriate respirators as specified in this section, and in WAC 296-842-13005, in the respirator rule.
Make sure filtering facepiece respirators aren't selected or used for protection against asbestsos fibers.
(b) Provide employees with an air-purifying, half-facepiece respirator, other than a filtering-facepiece respirator, that is equipped with a HEPA filter or an N-, R-, orP-100 series filter whenever the employee performs:
(i) Class II and III asbestos work for which no negative-exposure assessment is available;
(ii) Class III asbestos work involving disturbances of TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM.
(e) Equip any powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) or negative-pressure air-purifying respirator with HEPA filters or N-, R-, or P-100 series filters.
(4) Special respiratory protection requirements.
(a) Unless specifically identified in this subsection, respirator selection for asbestos removal, demolition, and renovation operations shall be in accordance with the selection specifications of this section and the general selection requirements in WAC 296-842-13005, found in the respirator rule. The employer must provide and require to be worn, at no cost to the employee, a full facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure demand mode equipped with either an auxiliary positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus or a HEPA filter egress cartridge, to employees engaged in the following asbestos operations:
(i) Inside negative pressure enclosures used for removal, demolition, and renovation of friable asbestos from walls, ceilings, vessels, ventilation ducts, elevator shafts, and other structural members, but does not include pipes or piping systems; or
(ii) Any dry removal of asbestos.
(b) For all Class I work excluded or not specified in (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection, when a negative-exposure assessment isn't available, and the exposure assessment indicates the exposure level will be at or below 1f/cc as an 8-hour time weighted average, employers must provide employees with one of the following respirators:
(i) A tight-fitting, powered, air-purifying respirator equipped with high-efficiency filters;
(ii) A full-facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure-demand mode equipped with either HEPA egress cartridges; or
(iii) An auxiliary positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus.
(c) Whenever the employees are in a regulated area performing Class I asbestos work for which a negative exposure assessment isn't available, and and exposure assessment indicates that the exposure level will be above 1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA, employers must provide a full-facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure-demand mode equipped with an auxiliary positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
Exception: In lieu of the supplied-air respirator required by subsection (4) of this section, an employer may provide and require to be worn, at no cost to the employee, a full facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in the continuous flow mode equipped with either an auxiliary positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus or a back-up HEPA filter egress cartridge where daily and historical personal monitoring data indicates the concentration of asbestos fibers is not reasonably expected to exceed 10 f/cc. The continuous flow respirator shall be operated at a minimum air flow rate of six cubic feet per minute at the facepiece using respirable air supplied as required by chapter 296-842 WAC, Respirators.
(5) Respirator fit testing.
(a) For each employee wearing negative pressure respirators, employers shall perform either quantitative or qualitative face fit tests at the time of initial fitting and at least annually thereafter. The qualitative fit tests may be used only for testing the fit of half-mask respirators where they are permitted to be worn.
(b) Any supplied-air respirator facepiece equipped with a back-up HEPA filter egress cartridge shall be quantitatively fit tested (see WAC 296-62-07160 through 296-62-07162 and 296-62-07201 through 296-62-07248).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 07-05-072 (Order 06-39) § 296-62-07715, filed 02/20/07, effective 04/01/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 99-10 (Order 98-10) � 296-62-07715, filed 05/04/99, effective 09/01/99.] Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-19-014, 296-62-07715, filed 9/5/97, effective 11/5/97; 97-01-079, 296-62-07715, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 91-03-044 (Order 90-18), 296-62-07715, filed 1/10/91, effective 2/12/91; 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), 296-62-07715, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07715, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07715, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07717 Protective work clothing and equipment.
(1) Provision and use. If an employee is exposed to asbestos above the permissible exposure limits, or where the possibility of eye irritation exists, or for which a required negative exposure assessment is not produced and for any employee performing Class I operations, the employer shall provide at no cost to the employee and require that the employee uses appropriate protective work clothing and equipment such as, but not limited to:
(a) The employer shall ensure that employees remove work clothing contaminated with asbestos only in change rooms provided in accordance with WAC 296-62-07719(1).
(b) The employer shall ensure that no employee takes contaminated work clothing out of the change room, except those employees authorized to do so for the purpose of laundering, maintenance, or disposal.
(c) Contaminated clothing. Contaminated clothing shall be transported in sealed impermeable bags, or other closed, impermeable containers, and be labeled in accordance with WAC 296-62-07721.
(d) Containers of contaminated protective devices or work clothing which are to be taken out of change rooms or the workplace for cleaning, maintenance, or disposal, shall bear labels in accordance with WAC 296-62-07721(6).
(a) The employer shall clean, launder, repair, or replace protective clothing and equipment required by this paragraph to maintain their effectiveness. The employer shall provide clean protective clothing and equipment at least weekly to each affected employee.
(b) The employer shall prohibit the removal of asbestos from protective clothing and equipment by blowing or shaking.
(c) Laundering of contaminated clothing shall be done so as to prevent the release of airborne fibers of asbestos in excess of the permissible exposure limits prescribed in WAC 296-62-07705.
(d) Any employer who gives contaminated clothing to another person for laundering shall inform such person of the requirement in (c) of this subsection to effectively prevent the release of airborne fibers of asbestos in excess of the permissible exposure limits.
(e) The employer shall inform any person who launders or cleans protective clothing or equipment contaminated with asbestos of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to asbestos.
(f) Contaminated clothing shall be transported in sealed impermeable bags, or other closed, impermeable containers, and labeled in accordance with WAC 296-62-07721.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038, (Order 99-36), � 296-62-07717, filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-19-014, 296-62-07717, filed 9/5/97, effective 11/5/97; 97-01-079, 296-62-07717, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), 296-62-07717, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), 296-62-07717, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07717, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07717, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07719 Hygiene facilities and practices.
(a) The employer shall provide clean change rooms for employees required to work in regulated areas or required by WAC 296-62-07717(1) to wear protective clothing.
Exception: In lieu of the change area requirement specified in this subsection, the employer may permit employees in Class III and Class IV asbestos work, to clean their protective clothing with a portable HEPA-equipped vacuum before such employees leave the area where maintenance was performed.
(b) The employer shall ensure that change rooms are in accordance with WAC 296-800-230, and are equipped with two separate lockers or storage facilities, so separated as to prevent contamination of the employee's street clothes from his/her protective work clothing and equipment.
(a) The employer shall ensure that employees who work in negative pressure enclosures required by WAC 296-62-07712, or who work in areas where their airborne exposure is above the permissible exposure limits prescribed in WAC 296-62-07705, shower at the end of the work shift.
(b) The employer shall provide shower facilities which comply with WAC 296-800-230.
(c) The employer shall ensure that employees who are required to shower pursuant to (a) of this subsection do not leave the workplace wearing any clothing or equipment worn during the work shift.
(3) Special requirements in addition to the other provisions of WAC 296-62-07719 for construction work defined in WAC 296-155-012 and for all shipyard work defined in WAC 296-304-010.
(a) Requirements for employees performing Class I asbestos jobs involving over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM.
(i) Decontamination areas: The employer shall establish a decontamination area that is adjacent and connected to the regulated area for the decontamination of such employees. The decontamination area shall consist of an equipment room, shower area, and clean room in series. The employer shall ensure that employees enter and exit the regulated area through the decontamination area.
(A) Equipment room. The equipment room shall be supplied with impermeable, labeled bags and containers for the containment and disposal of contaminated protective equipment.
(B) Shower area. Shower facilities shall be provided which comply with WAC 296-800-230, unless the employer can demonstrate that they are not feasible. The showers shall be adjacent both to the equipment room and the clean room, unless the employer can demonstrate that this location is not feasible. Where the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to locate the shower between the equipment room and the clean room, or where the work is performed outdoors, the employers shall ensure that employees:
(I) Remove asbestos contamination from their worksuits in the equipment room using a HEPA vacuum before proceeding to a shower that is not adjacent to the work area; or
(II) Remove their contaminated worksuits in the equipment room, then don clean worksuits, and proceed to a shower that is not adjacent to the work area.
(C) Clean change room. The clean room shall be equipped with a locker or appropriate storage container for each employee's use.
(ii) Decontamination area entry procedures. The employer shall ensure that employees:
(A) Enter the decontamination area through the clean room;
(B) Remove and deposit street clothing within a locker provided for their use; and
(C) Put on protective clothing and respiratory protection before leaving the clean room.
(D) Before entering the regulated area, the employer shall ensure that employees pass through the equipment room.
(iii) Decontamination area exit procedures. The employer shall ensure that:
(A) Before leaving the regulated area, employees shall remove all gross contamination and debris from their protective clothing;
(B) Employees shall remove their protective clothing in the equipment room and deposit the clothing in labeled impermeable bags or containers;
(C) Employees shall not remove their respirators in the equipment room;
(D) Employees shall shower prior to entering the clean room. When taking a shower, employees shall be fully wetted, including the face and hair, prior to removing the respirators;
(E) After showering, employees shall enter the clean room before changing into street clothes.
(b) Requirements for Class I work involving less than 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM, and for Class II and Class III asbestos work operations where exposures exceed a PEL or where there is no negative exposure assessment produced before the operation.
(i) The employer shall establish an equipment room or area that is adjacent to the regulated area for the decontamination of employees and their equipment which is contaminated with asbestos which shall consist of an area covered by a impermeable drop cloth on the floor or horizontal working surface.
(ii) The area must be of sufficient size as to accommodate cleaning of equipment and removing personal protective equipment without spreading contamination beyond the area (as determined by visible accumulations).
(iii) Work clothing must be cleaned with a HEPA vacuum before it is removed.
(iv) All equipment and surfaces of containers filled with ACM must be cleaned prior to removing them from the equipment room or area.
(v) The employer shall ensure that employees enter and exit the regulated area through the equipment room or area.
(c) Requirements for Class IV work. Employers shall ensure that employees performing Class IV work within a regulated area comply with hygiene practice required of employees performing work which has a higher classification within that regulated area. Otherwise employers of employees cleaning up debris and material which is TSI or surfacing ACM or identified as PACM shall provide decontamination facilities for such employees which are required by WAC 296-62-07719 (3)(b).
(d) Decontamination area for personnel shall not be used for the transportation of asbestos debris.
(e) Waste load-out procedure. The waste load-out area as required by WAC 296-62-07723 shall be used as an area for final preparation and external decontamination of waste containers, as a short term storage area for bagged waste, and as a port for transporting waste. The employer shall ensure waste containers be free of all gross contaminated material before removal from the negative-pressure enclosure. Gross contamination shall be wiped, scraped off, or washed off containers before they are placed into a two chamber air lock which is adjacent to the negative-pressure enclosure. In the first chamber, the exterior of the waste container shall be decontaminated or placed within a second waste container, and then it shall be moved into the second chamber of the air lock for temporary storage or transferred outside of the regulated area. The second waste container shall not be reused unless thoroughly decontaminated.
(4) Lunchrooms.
(a) The employer shall provide lunchroom facilities for employees who work in areas where their airborne exposure is above the time weighted average and/or excursion limit.
(b) The employer shall ensure that lunchroom facilities have a positive pressure, filtered air supply, and are readily accessible to employees.
(c) The employer shall ensure that employees who work in areas where their airborne exposure is above the time weighted average and/or excursion limit, wash their hands and faces prior to eating, drinking, or smoking.
(d) The employer shall ensure that employees do not enter lunchroom facilities with protective work clothing or equipment unless surface asbestos fibers have been removed from the clothing or equipment by vacuuming or other method that removes dust without causing the asbestos to become airborne.
(5) Smoking in work areas. The employer shall ensure that employees do not smoke in work areas where they are occupationally exposed to asbestos because of activities in that work area.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 03-18-090 (Order 03-15), § 296-62-07719, filed 09/02/03, effective 11/01/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-01-079, 296-62-07719, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 91-03-044 (Order 90-18), 296-62-07719, filed 1/10/91, effective 2/12/91; 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), 296-62-07719, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07719, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07719, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07721 Communication of hazards to employees.
(1) Communication of hazards to employees. General industry requirements.
(a) Introduction. This section applies to the communication of information concerning asbestos hazards in general industry. Asbestos exposure in industry occurs in a wide variety of industrial and commercial settings. Employees who manufacture asbestos-containing products may be exposed to asbestos fibers. Employees who repair and replace automotive brakes and clutches may be exposed to asbestos fibers. In addition, employees engaged in housekeeping activities in industrial facilities with asbestos product manufacturing operations, and in public and commercial buildings with installed asbestos-containing materials may be exposed to asbestos fibers. It should be noted that employees who perform housekeeping activities during and after construction activities are covered by asbestos construction work requirements in WAC 296-62-077. Housekeeping employees, regardless of industry designation, should know whether building components they maintain may expose them to asbestos. Building owners are often the only and/or best source of information concerning the presence of previously installed asbestos-containing building materials. Therefore they, along with employers of potentially exposed employees, are assigned specific information conveying and retention duties under this section.
(b) Installed asbestos-containing material. Employers and building owners are required to treat installed TSI and sprayed-on and troweled-on surfacing materials as ACM for the purposes of this standard. These materials are designated “presumed ACM or PACM,” and are defined in WAC 296-62-07703. Asphalt and vinyl flooring installed no later than 1980 also must be treated as asbestos-containing. The employer or building owner may demonstrate that PACM and flooring materials do not contain asbestos by complying with WAC 296-62-07712 (10)(a)(ix).
(c) Duties of employers and building and facility owners.
(i) Building and facility owners must determine the presence, location, and quantity of ACM and/or PACM at the worksite. Employers and building and facility owners must exercise due diligence in complying with these requirements to inform employers and employees about the presence and location of ACM and PACM.
(ii) Before authorizing or allowing any construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition project, an owner or owner's agent must perform, or cause to be performed, a good faith inspection to determine whether materials to be worked on or removed contain asbestos. The inspection must be documented by a written report maintained on file and made available upon request to the director.
(iii) The owner or owner's agent must provide, to all contractors submitting a bid to undertake any construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition project, the written statement either of the reasonable certainty of nondisturbance of asbestos or of assumption of the presence of asbestos. Contractors must be provided with the written report before they apply or bid to work.
(iv) Any owner or owner's agent who fails to comply with (c)(ii) and (iii) of this subsection must be subject to a mandatory fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars for each violation. Each day the violation continues must be considered a separate violation. In addition, any construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition which was started without meeting the requirements of this section must be halted immediately and cannot be resumed before meeting such requirements.
(v) Building and facility owners must inform employers of employees, and employers must inform employees who will perform housekeeping activities in areas which contain ACM and/or PACM of the presence and location of ACM and/or PACM in such areas which may be contacted during such activities.
(vi) Upon written or oral request, building or facility owners must make a copy of the written report required in this section available to the department of labor and industries and the collective bargaining representatives or employee representatives of any employee who may be exposed to any asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. A copy of the written report must be posted conspicuously at the location where employees report to work.
(vii) Building and facility owners must maintain records of all information required to be provided according to this section and/or otherwise known to the building owner concerning the presence, location and quantity of ACM and PACM in the building/facility. Such records must be kept for the duration of ownership and must be transferred to successive owners.
(2) Communication of hazards to employees. Requirements for construction and shipyard employment activities.
(a) Introduction. This section applies to the communication of information concerning asbestos hazards in construction and shipyard employment activities. Most asbestos-related construction and shipyard activities involve previously installed building materials. Building/vessel owners often are the only and/or best sources of information concerning them. Therefore, they, along with employers of potentially exposed employees, are assigned specific information conveying and retention duties under this section. Installed Asbestos Containing Building/Vessel Material: Employers and building/vessel owners must identify TSI and sprayed or troweled on surfacing materials as asbestos-containing unless the employer, by complying with WAC 296-62-07721(3) determines it is not asbestos containing. Asphalt or vinyl flooring/decking material installed in buildings or vessels no later than 1980 must also be considered as asbestos containing unless the employer/owner, according to WAC 296-62-07712 (10)(a)(ix) determines it is not asbestos containing. If the employer or building/vessel owner has actual knowledge or should have known, through the exercise of due diligence, that materials other than TSI and sprayed-on or troweled-on surfacing materials are asbestos containing, they must be treated as such. When communicating information to employees according to this standard, owners and employers must identify “PACM” as ACM. Additional requirements relating to communication of asbestos work on multi-employer worksites are set out in WAC 296-62-07706.
(b) Duties of building/vessel and facility owners.
(i) Before work subject to this section is begun, building/vessel and facility owners must identify the presence, location and quantity of ACM, and/or PACM at the work site. All thermal system insulation and sprayed on or troweled on surfacing materials in buildings/vessels or substrates constructed no later than 1980 must be identified as PACM. In addition, resilient flooring/decking material installed no later than 1980 must also be identified as asbestos containing.
(ii) Before authorizing or allowing any construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition project, a building/vessel and facility owner or owner's agent must perform, or cause to be performed, a good faith inspection to determine whether materials to be worked on or removed contain asbestos. The inspection must be documented by a written report maintained on file and made available upon request to the director.
(B) Such good faith inspection is not required if the building/vessel and facility owner or owner's agent assumes that the suspect material contains asbestos and handles the material in accordance with WAC 296-62-07701 through 296-62-07753 or if the owner or the owner's agent is reasonably certain that asbestos will not be disturbed by the project.
(iii) The building/vessel and facility owner or owner's agent must provide, to all contractors submitting a bid to undertake any construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition project, the written statement either of the reasonable certainty of nondisturbance of asbestos or of assumption of the presence of asbestos. Contractors must be provided the written report before they apply or bid on work.
(iv) Any building/vessel and facility owner or owners agent who fails to comply with WAC 296-62-07721 (2)(b)(ii) and (iii) must be subject to a mandatory fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars for each violation. Each day the violation continues must be considered a separate violation. In addition, any construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition which was started without meeting the requirements of this section must be halted immediately and cannot be resumed before meeting such requirements.
(v) Upon written or oral request, building/vessel and facility owner or owner's agent must make a copy of the written report required in this section available to the department of labor and industries and the collective bargaining representatives or employee representatives of any employee who may be exposed to any asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. A copy of the written report must be posted conspicuously at the location where employees report to work.
(vi) Building/vessel and facility owner or owner's agent must notify in writing the following persons of the presence, location and quantity of ACM or PACM, at work sites in their buildings/facilities/vessels.
(A) Prospective employers applying or bidding for work whose employees reasonably can be expected to work in or adjacent to areas containing such material;
(B) Employees of the owner who will work in or adjacent to areas containing such material;
(C) On multi-employer worksites, all employers of employees who will be performing work within or adjacent to areas containing such materials;
(D) Tenants who will occupy areas containing such materials.
(c) Duties of employers whose employees perform work subject to this standard in or adjacent to areas containing ACM and PACM. Building/vessel and facility owner or owner's agents whose employees perform such work must comply with these provisions to the extent applicable.
(i) Before work subject to this standard is begun, building/vessel and facility owner or owner's agents must determine the presence, location, and quantity of ACM and/or PACM at the work site according to WAC 296-62-07721 (2)(b).
(ii) Before work under this standard is performed employers of employees who will perform such work must inform the following persons of the location and quantity of ACM and/or PACM present at the work site and the precautions to be taken to insure that airborne asbestos is confined to the area.
(A) Owners of the building/vessel or facility;
(B) Employees who will perform such work and employers of employees who work and/or will be working in adjacent areas;
(iii) Upon written or oral request, a copy of the written report required in this section must be made available to the department of labor and industries and the collective bargaining representatives or employee representatives of any employee who may be exposed to any asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. A copy of the written report must be posted conspicuously at the location where employees report to work.
(iv) Within 10 days of the completion of such work, the employer whose employees have performed work subject to this standard, must inform the building/vessel or facility owner and employers of employees who will be working in the area of the current location and quantity of PACM and/or ACM remaining in the former regulated area and final monitoring results, if any.
(d) In addition to the above requirements, all employers who discover ACM and/or PACM on a work site must convey information concerning the presence, location and quantity of such newly discovered ACM and/or PACM to the owner and to other employers of employees working at the work site, within 24 hours of the discovery.
(e) No contractor may commence any construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition project without receiving a copy of the written response or statement required by WAC 296-62-07721 (2)(b). Any contractor who begins any project without the copy of the written report or statement will be subject to a mandatory fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars per day. Each day the violation continues will be considered a separate violation.
(3) Criteria to rebut the designation of installed material as PACM.
(a) At any time, an employer and/or building/vessel owner may demonstrate, for purposes of this standard, that PACM does not contain asbestos. Building/vessel owners and/or employers are not required to communicate information about the presence of building material for which such a demonstration according to the requirements of (b) of this subsection has been made. However, in all such cases, the information, data and analysis supporting the determination that PACM does not contain asbestos, must be retained according to WAC 296-62-07727.
(b) An employer or owner may demonstrate that PACM does not contain asbestos by the following:
(i) Having a completed inspection conducted according to the requirements of AHERA (40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E) which demonstrates that the material is not ACM;
(ii) Performing tests of the material containing PACM which demonstrate that no asbestos is present in the material. Such tests must include analysis of bulk samples collected in the manner described in 40 CFR 763.86, Asbestos-containing materials in schools. The tests, evaluation and sample collection must be conducted by an accredited inspector. Analysis of samples must be performed by persons or laboratories with proficiency demonstrated by current successful participation in a nationally recognized testing program such as the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) of the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) or the Round Robin for bulk samples administered by the American Industrial Hygiene Associate (AIHA), or an equivalent nationally recognized Round Robin testing program.
(4) At the entrance to mechanical rooms/areas in which employees reasonably can be expected to enter and which contain TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM, the building/vessel and facility owner or owner's agent must post signs which identify the material which is present, its location, and appropriate work practices which, if followed, will ensure that ACM and/or PACM will not be disturbed. The employer shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come in contact with these signs can comprehend them. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.
(5) Warning signs.
(a) Warning signs that demarcate the regulated area must be provided and displayed at each location where a regulated area is required. In addition, warning signs must be posted at all approaches to regulated areas and be posted at such a distance from such a location that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps before entering the area marked by the signs.
(b) The warning signs required by (a) of this subsection must bear the following information:
(c) The employer shall ensure that employees working in and contiguous to regulated areas comprehend the warning signs required to be posted by (a) of this subsection. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs, and graphics.
(6) Warning labels.
(a) Warning labels must be affixed to all products containing asbestos including raw materials, mixtures, scrap, waste, debris, and other products containing asbestos fibers, and to their containers including waste containers. Installed asbestos products must contain a visible label, except where such a label would clearly not be feasible.
(b) Labels must be printed in large, bold letters on a contrasting background.
(c) The labels must comply with the requirements of WAC 296-800-170, and must include the following information:
AVOID BREATHING AIRBORNE ASBESTOS FIBERS
(7) The provisions for labels required by subsection (6)(a) of this section or for material safety data sheets required by subsection (8) of this section do not apply where:
(a) Asbestos fibers have been modified by a bonding agent, coating, binder, or other material, provided that the manufacturer can demonstrate that during any reasonably foreseeable use, handling, storage, disposal, processing, or transportation, no airborne concentrations of fibers of asbestos in excess of the excursion limit will be released; or
(b) Asbestos is present in a product in concentrations less than 1.0 percent by weight.
(8) Material safety data sheets. Employers who are manufacturers or importers of asbestos, or asbestos products must comply with the requirements regarding development of material safety data sheets as specified in WAC 296-62-05413, except as provided by subsection (7) of this section.
(9) When a building/vessel owner/or employer identifies previously installed PACM and/or ACM, labels or signs must be affixed or posted so that employees will be notified of what materials contain PACM and/or ACM. The employer must attach such labels in areas where they will clearly be noticed by employees who are likely to be exposed, such as at the entrance to mechanical rooms/areas. Signs required by subsection (5)(a) of this section may be posted in lieu of labels so long as they contain information required for labeling. The employer must ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come in contact with these signs can comprehend them. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038, (Order 99-36), � 296-62-07721, filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, .050, RCW 49.26.040 and RCW 49.26.130. 99-17-026 (Order 98-35), � 296-62-07721, filed 08/10/99, effective 11/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-19-014, 296-62-07721, filed 9/5/97, effective 11/5/97; 97-01-079, 296-62-07721, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 93-01-005 (Order 92-20), 296-62-07721, filed 12/2/92, effective 1/15/93; 91-03-044 (Order 90-18), 296-62-07721, filed 1/10/91, effective 2/12/91; 89-21-018 (Order 89-10), 296-62-07721, filed 10/10/89, effective 11/24/89; 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), 296-62-07721, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 96-62-07721, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07721, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07722 Employee information and training.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 05-03-093 (Order 04-41), § 296-62-07722, filed 01/18/05, effective 03/01/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050 and RCW 49.26.130. 00-06-075 (Order 99-40), � 296-62-07722, filed 03/01/00, effective 04/10/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, .050, RCW 49.26.040 and RCW 49.26.130. 99-17-026 (Order 98-35), � 296-62-07722, filed 08/10/99, effective 11/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 99-10 (Order 98-10) � 296-62-07222, filed 05/04/99, effective 09/01/99.] Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-01-079, 296-62-07722, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97.]
WAC 296-62-07723 Housekeeping.
(1) All surfaces shall be maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of dusts and waste containing asbestos.
(2) All spills and sudden releases of material containing asbestos shall be cleaned up as soon as possible.
(3) Surfaces contaminated with asbestos may not be cleaned by the use of compressed air.
(4) Vacuuming. HEPA-filtered vacuuming equipment shall be used for vacuuming. The equipment shall be used and emptied in a manner which minimizes the reentry of asbestos into the workplace.
(5) Shoveling, dry sweeping, and dry clean-up of asbestos may be used only where vacuuming and/or wet cleaning are not feasible.
(6) Waste disposal. Waste, scrap, debris, bags, containers, equipment, and clothing contaminated with asbestos consigned for disposal, shall be collected and disposed of in sealed impermeable bags, or other closed, impermeable containers. To avoid breakage, bags shall be at least six mils in thickness and shall not be dragged or slid across rough or abrasive surfaces.
(7) Waste removal. Whenever a negative-pressure enclosure is required by WAC 296-62-07712, the employer wherever feasible, shall establish a waste-load-out area that is adjacent and connected to the negative-pressure enclosure, constructed of a two chamber air lock, for the decontamination and removal of asbestos debris.
(8) Deterioration. Asbestos and asbestos containing material which has become damaged or deteriorated shall be repaired, enclosed, encapsulated, or removed.
(9) Care of asbestos-containing flooring/decking material.
(a) Sanding of asbestos-containing floor/deck material is prohibited.
(b) Stripping of finishes shall be conducted using low abrasion pads at speeds lower than 300 rpm and wet methods.
(c) Burnishing or dry buffing may be performed only on asbestos-containing flooring/decking which has sufficient finish so that the pad cannot contact the asbestos-containing material.
(d) Dust and debris in an area containing TSI or surfacing ACM/PACM or visibly deteriorated ACM, shall not be dusted or swept dry, or vacuumed without using a HEPA filter.
(10) Waste and debris and accompanying dust in an area containing accessible thermal system insulation or surfacing material or visibly deteriorated ACM:
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-01-079, 296-62-07723, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07723, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07723, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07725 Medical surveillance.
(a) Employees covered. The employer shall institute a medical surveillance program for all employees who are or will be exposed to airborne concentrations of fibers of asbestos at or above the permissible exposure limits. Exception.
Employers in the construction or shipyard industries shall institute a medical surveillance program for all employees who for a combined total of 30 or more days per year are engaged in Class I, II, and III work, or are exposed at or above the permissible exposure limit for combined 30 days or more per year; or who are required by the standard to wear negative pressure respirators. For the purpose of this subsection, any day in which an employee engaged in Class II or III work or a combination thereof for one hour or less (taking into account the entire time spent on the removal operation, including cleanup), and, while doing so adheres to the work practices specified in this standard, shall not be counted.
(b) Examination by a physician.
(i) The employer shall ensure that all medical examinations and procedures are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician, and shall be provided without cost to the employee and at a reasonable time and place.
(ii) Persons other than licensed physicians, who administer the pulmonary function testing required by this section, shall complete a training course in spirometry sponsored by an appropriate academic or professional institution.
(2) Preplacement examinations.
(a) Except as provided by WAC 296-62-07725 (1)(a), before an employee is assigned to an occupation exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos, a preplacement medical examination shall be provided or made available by the employer. Examinations administered using the thirty or more days per year criteria of WAC 296-62-07725 (1)(a) shall be given within ten working days following the thirtieth day of exposure. Examinations must be given prior to assignment of employees to areas where negative-pressure respirators are worn.
(b) All examinations shall include, as a minimum, a medical and work history: A complete physical examination of all systems with special emphasis on the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems; completion of the respiratory disease standardized questionnaire in WAC 296-62-07741, Appendix D, Part 1; a chest roentgenogram (posterior-anterior 14x17 inches); pulmonary function tests to include forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1.0); and any additional tests deemed appropriate by the examining physician. Interpretation and classification of chest roentgenograms shall be conducted in accordance with WAC 296-62-07743, Appendix E.
(a) Periodic medical examinations shall be made available annually.
(b) The scope of the medical examination shall be in conformance with the protocol established in subsection (2)(b) of this section, except that the frequency of chest roentgenograms shall be conducted in accordance with Table 2 of this section, and the abbreviated standardized questionnaire contained in WAC 296-62-07741, Appendix D, Part 2, shall be administered to the employee.
TABLE 2--FREQUENCY OF CHEST ROENTGENOGRAMS
35+ to 45
(c) If the examining physician determines that any of the examinations should be provided more frequently than specified, the employer shall provide such examinations to affected employees at the frequencies specified by the physician.
(4) Termination of employment examinations.
(a) The employer shall provide, or make available, a termination of employment medical examination for any employee who has been exposed to airborne concentrations of fibers of asbestos at or above the permissible exposure limits.
(b) The medical examination shall be in accordance with the requirements of the periodic examinations stipulated in subsection (3) of this section, and shall be given within thirty calendar days before or after the date of termination of employment.
(5) Recent examinations. No medical examination is required of any employee, if adequate records show that the employee has been examined in accordance with subsection (2), (3), or (4) of this section within the past one-year period.
(6) Information provided to the physician. The employer shall provide the following information to the examining physician:
(a) A copy of this standard and Appendices D, E, and H of WAC 296-62-07741, 296-62-07743, and 296-62-07749 respectively.
(b) A description of the affected employee's duties as they relate to the employee's exposure.
(c) The employee's representative exposure level or anticipated exposure level.
(d) A description of any personal protective and respiratory equipment used or to be used.
(i) The physician's opinion as to whether the employee has any detected medical conditions that would place the employee at an increased risk of material health impairment from exposure to asbestos;
(ii) Any recommended limitations on the employee or upon the use of personal protective equipment such as clothing or respirators;
(iii) A statement that the employee has been informed by the physician of the results of the medical examination and of any medical conditions resulting from asbestos exposure that require further explanation or treatment; and
(iv) A statement that the employee has been informed by the physician of the increased risk of lung cancer attributable to the combined effect of smoking and asbestos exposure.
(c) The employer shall provide a copy of the physician's written opinion to the affected employee within thirty days from its receipt.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 06-05-027 (Order 05-45), § 296-62-07725, filed 02/07/06, effective 04/01/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-19-014, 296-62-07725, filed 9/5/97, effective 11/5/97; 97-01-079, 296-62-07725, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 91-03-044 (Order 90-18), 296-62-07725, filed 1/10/91, effective 2/12/91; 89-11-035 (Order 89-03), 296-62-07725, filed 5/15/89, effective 6/30/89; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07725, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07725, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07727 Recordkeeping.
(c) The employer shall maintain this record for the duration of employment plus thirty years, in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(a) Where the processing, use, or handling of products made from or containing asbestos is exempted from other requirements of this section under WAC 296-62-07709 (2)(a)(iii) and (3)(b)(i), the employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record of objective data reasonably relied upon in support of the exemption.
(a) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee subject to medical surveillance by WAC 296-62-07725 (1)(a), in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(c) The employer shall ensure that this record is maintained for the duration of employment plus thirty years, in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(4) Training. The employer shall maintain all employee training records for one year beyond the last date of employment of that employee.
(b) The employer, upon request, shall make any exposure records required by subsection (1) of this section available for examination and copying to affected employees, former employees, designated representatives, and the director, in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(c) The employer, upon request, shall make employee medical records required by subsection (2) of this section available for examination and copying to the subject employee, to anyone having the specific written consent of the subject employee, and the director, in accordance with chapter 296-802 WAC.
(a) The employer shall comply with the requirements concerning transfer of records set forth in chapter 296-802 WAC.
(7) Data to rebut PACM. Where the building owner and employer have relied on data to demonstrate that PACM is not asbestos-containing, such data shall be maintained for as long as they are relied upon to rebut the presumption.
(8) Records of required notifications. Where the building owner has communicated and received information concerning the identification, location and quantity of ACM and PACM, written records of such notifications and their content shall be maintained by the building owner for the duration of ownership and shall be transferred to successive owners of such buildings/facilities.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050 and RCW 49.26.130. 00-06-075 (Order 99-40), � 296-62-07727, filed 03/01/00, effective 04/10/00. Statutory Authority: Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-01-079, 296-62-07727, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07727, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07727, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07728 Competent person.
Removal and handling,
The contents of this standard,
The identification of asbestos,
Removal procedures where appropriate, and
Other practices for reducing the hazard.
Aspects of asbestos handling appropriate for the nature of the work, to include procedures for setting up glove bags and mini-enclosures.
Practices for reducing asbestos exposures.
Use of wet methods,
The contents of this standard, and
The identification of asbestos.
Such training must include successful completion of a course equivalent in curriculum and training method to the 16-hour Operations and Maintenance course developed by EPA for maintenance and custodial workers (see 40 CFR 763.92 (a)(2)) or its equivalent in stringency, content and length.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, .050, RCW 49.26.040 and RCW 49.26.130. 99-17-026 (Order 98-35), � 296-62-07728, filed 08/10/99, effective 11/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-19-014, 296-62-07728, filed 9/5/97, effective 11/5/97; 97-01-079, 296-62-07728, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97.]
WAC 296-62-07733 Appendices.
(1) Appendices A, D, E, and F to this part are incorporated as part of this section and the contents of these appendices are mandatory.
(2) Appendices B, G, H, I, J and K to this part are informational and are not intended to create any additional obligations not otherwise imposed or to detract from any existing obligations.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 99-10 (Order 98-10) � 296-62-07733, filed 05/04/99, effective 09/01/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-01-079, 296-62-07733, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 91-03-044 (Order 90-18), 296-62-07733, filed 1/10/91, effective 2/12/91; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07733, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07733, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07735 Appendix A--WISHA reference method--Mandatory.
(g) Personal samples must be taken in the “breathing zone” of the employee (i.e., attached to or near the collar or lapel near the worker's face).
(h) Fiber counts must be made by positive phase contrast using a microscope with an 8 to 10 X eyepiece and a 40 to 45 X objective for a total magnification of approximately 400 X and a numerical aperture of 0.65 to 0.75. The microscope shall also be fitted with a green or blue filter.
Note: The slide consists of seven sets of grooved lines (ca. 20 grooves to each block) in descending order of visibility from sets one to seven, seven being the least visible. The requirements for asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite counting are that the microscope optics must resolve the grooved lines in set three completely, although they may appear somewhat faint, and that the grooved lines in sets six and seven must be invisible. Sets four and five must be at least partially visible but may vary slightly in visibility between microscopes. A microscope that fails to meet these requirements has either too low or too high a resolution to be used for asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite counting.
(i) Each laboratory analyzing asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite samples for compliance determination shall implement an interlaboratory quality assurance program that as a minimum includes participation of at least two other independent laboratories. Each laboratory must participate in round robin testing at least once every six months with at least all the other laboratories in its interlaboratory quality assurance group. Each laboratory must submit slides typical of its own work load for use in this program. The round robin shall be designed and results analyzed using appropriate statistical methodology.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, .050, RCW 49.26.040 and RCW 49.26.130. 99-17-026 (Order 98-35), � 296-62-07735, filed 08/10/99, effective 11/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-01-079, 296-62-07735, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07735, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07735, filed 4/27/87.]
WAC 296-62-07737 Appendix B--Detailed procedure for asbestos sampling and analysis--Nonmandatory.
Time Weighted Average 0.1 fiber/cc
Excursion Level (30 minutes) 1.0 fiber/cc
Minimum 25 L
Maximum 2,400 L
Crocidolite Na2Fe32+Fe23+Si8O22(OH)2
Amosite (Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2
Tremolite-actinolite Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2
Fiber: A particle that is 5 �m or longer, with a length-to-width ratio of 3 to 1 or longer.
Walton-Beckett Graticule: An eyepiece graticule specifically designed for asbestos fiber counting. It consists of a circle with a projected diameter of 100 �2 �m (area of about 0.00785 mm2) with a crosshair having tic-marks at 3-�m intervals in one direction and 5-�m in the orthogonal direction. There are marks around the periphery of the circle to demonstrate the proper sizes and shapes of fibers. The disk is placed in one of the microscope eyepieces so that the design is superimposed on the field of view.
(a) Early surveys to determine asbestos exposures were conducted using impinger counts of total dust with the counts expressed as million particles per cubic foot. The British Asbestos Research Council recommended filter membrane counting in 1969. In July 1969, the Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health published a filter membrane method for counting asbestos fibers in the United States. This method was refined by NIOSH and published as P & CAM 239. On May 29, 1971, OSHA specified filter membrane sampling with phase contrast counting for evaluation of asbestos exposures at work sites in the United States. The use of this technique was again required by OSHA in 1986. Phase contrast microscopy has continued to be the method of choice for the measurement of occupational exposure to asbestos.
(ii) The main disadvantage of PCM is that it does not positively identify asbestos fibers. Other fibers which are not asbestos may be included in the count unless differential counting is performed. This requires a great deal of experience to adequately differentiate asbestos from non-asbestos fibers. Positive identification of asbestos must be performed by polarized light or electron microscopy techniques. A further disadvantage of PCM is that the smallest visible fibers are about 0.2 �m in diameter while the finest asbestos fibers may be as small as 0.02 �m in diameter. For some exposures, substantially more fibers may be present than are actually counted.
Lower Control Limit (95% Confidence) = AC-1.645(CV)(AC)
0 = AC-1.645(CV)(AC)
3. Method Performance--Precision and Accuracy. Precision is dependent upon the total number of fibers counted and the uniformity of the fiber distribution on the filter. A general rule is to count at least 20 and not more than 100 fields. The count is discontinued when 100 fibers are counted, provided that 20 fields have already been counted. Counting more than 100 fibers results in only a small gain in precision. As the total count drops below 10 fibers, an accelerated loss of precision is noted. At this time, there is no known method to determine the absolute accuracy of the asbestos analysis. Results of samples prepared through the Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) Program and analyzed by the OSHA-SLTC showed no significant bias when compared to PAT reference values. The PAT samples were analyzed from 1987 to 1989 (N = 36) and the concentration range was from 120 to 1,300 fibers/mm2.
Fiber glass Perlite veins.
Anhydrite plant fibers gypsum Some synthetic fibers.
Membrane structures Sponge spicules and diatoms.
Microorganisms Wollastonite.
(i) Sample assembly. Conductive filter holder consisting of a 25-mm diameter, 3-piece cassette having a 50-mm long electrically conductive extension cowl. Backup pad, 25-mm, cellulose. Membrane filter, mixed-cellulose ester (MCE), 25-mm, plain, white, 0.8- to 1.2-�m pore size.
(iii) Connect each pump to a calibration cassette with an appropriate length of 6-mm bore plastic tubing. Do not use luer connectors--the type of cassette specified above has built-in adapters.
Note: If sampling site calibration is not possible, environmental influences may affect the flow rate. The extent is dependent on the type of pump used. Consult with the pump manufacturer to determine dependence on environmental influences. If the pump is affected by temperature and pressure changes, use the formula in subsection (10) of this section to calculate the actual flow rate.
(vii) A suggested minimum air volume when sampling to determine TWA compliance is 25 L. For Excursion Limit (30 min sampling time) evaluations, a minimum air volume of 48 L is recommended.
Caution: Do not overload the filter with dust. High levels of non-fibrous dust particles may obscure fibers on the filter and lower the count or make counting impossible. If more than about 25 to 30% of the field area is obscured with dust, the result may be biased low. Smaller air volumes may be necessary when there is excessive non-asbestos dust in the air. While sampling, observe the filter with a small flashlight. If there is a visible layer of dust on the filter, stop sampling, remove and seal the cassette, and replace with a new sampling assembly. The total dust loading should not exceed 1 mg.
(ix) Blank samples are used to determine if any contamination has occurred during sample handling. Prepare two blanks for the first 1 to 20 samples. For sets containing greater than 20 samples, prepare blanks as 10% of the samples. Handle blank samples in the same manner as air samples with one exception: Do not draw any air through the blank samples. Open the blank cassette in the place where the sample cassettes are mounted on the employee. Hold it open for about 30 seconds. Close and seal the cassette appropriately. Store blanks for shipment with the sample cassettes.
Caution: Do not use a vacuum without a HEPA filter--It will disperse fine asbestos fibers in the air.
(iv) Walton-Beckett Graticule, type G-22 with 100 �2 �m projected diameter.
(xiv) Automatic adjustable pipette, 100- to 500-�L.
(xv) Micropipette, 5 �L.
(d) Standard Preparation. A way to prepare standard asbestos samples of known concentration has not been developed. It is possible to prepare replicate samples of nearly equal concentration. This has been performed through the PAT program. These asbestos samples are distributed by the AIHA to participating laboratories. Since only about one-fourth of a 25-mm sample membrane is required for an asbestos count, any PAT sample can serve as a “standard” for replicate counting.
Note: See Safety Precautions in (6)(a) before proceeding. The objective is to produce samples with a smooth (non-grainy) background in a medium with a refractive index of approximately 1.46. The technique below collapses the filter for easier focusing and produces permanent mounts which are useful for quality control and interlaboratory comparison. An aluminum block or similar device is required for sample preparation.
(i) Heat the aluminum block to about 70�C. The hot block should not be used on any surface that can be damaged by either the heat or from exposure to acetone.
(v) Place the tip of the micropipette containing about 200 �L acetone into the aluminum block. Insert the glass slide into the receiving slot in the aluminum block. Inject the acetone into the block with slow, steady pressure on the plunger while holding the pipette firmly in place. Wait 3 to 5 seconds for the filter to clear, then remove the pipette and slide from the aluminum block.
(vi) Immediately (less than 30 seconds) place 2.5 to 3.5 �L of triacetin on the filter (Note: Waiting longer than 30 seconds will result in increased index of refraction and decreased contrast between the fibers and the preparation. This may also lead to separation of the cover slip from the slide).
(vii) Lower a cover slip gently onto the filter at a slight angle to reduce the possibility of forming air bubbles. If more than 30 seconds have elapsed between acetone exposure and triacetin application, glue the edges of the cover slip to the slide with lacquer or nail polish.
(viii) If clearing is slow, warm the slide for 15 min on a hot plate having a surface temperature of about 50�C to hasten clearing. The top of the hot block can be used if the slide is not heated too long.
(C) Continually scan over a range of focal planes (generally the upper 10 to 15 �m of the filter surface) with the fine focus control during each field count. Spend at least 5 to 15 seconds per field.
(D) Most samples will contain asbestos fibers with fiber diameters less than 1�. Look carefully for faint fiber images. The small diameter fibers will be very hard to see. However, they are an important contribution to the total count.
(E) Count only fibers equal to or longer than 5�. Measure the length of curved fibers along the curve.
(M) Perform a “blind recount” of 1 in every 10 filter wedges (slides). Re-label the slides using a person other than the original counter.
(g) Fiber Identification. As previously mentioned in (1)(c), PCM does not provide positive confirmation of asbestos fibers. Alternate differential counting techniques should be used if discrimination is desirable. Differential counting may include primary discrimination based on morphology, polarized light analysis of fibers, or modification of PCM data by Scanning Electron or Transmission Electron Microscopy. A great deal of experience is required to routinely and correctly perform differential counting. It is discouraged unless it is legally necessary. Then, only if a fiber is obviously not asbestos should it be excluded from the count. Further discussion of this technique can be found in reference 8(j). If there is a question whether a fiber is asbestos or not, follow the rule: “WHEN IN DOUBT, COUNT.”
(h) Analytical Recommendations--Quality Control System.
(iv) Each analyst must select and count prepared slides from a “slide bank”. These are quality assurance counts. The slide bank must be prepared using uniformly distributed samples taken from the workload. Fiber densities should cover the entire range routinely analyzed by the laboratory. These slides are counted blind by all counters to establish an original standard deviation. This historical distribution is compared with the quality assurance counts. A counter must have 95% of all quality control samples counted within three standard deviations of the historical mean. This count is then integrated into a new historical mean and standard deviation for the slide. The analyses done by the counters to establish the slide bank may be used for an interim quality control program if the data are treated in a proper statistical fashion.
AC = Airborne fiber concentration
FB = Total number of fibers greater than 5 �m counted
FL = Total number of fields counted on the filter
BFB = Total number of fibers greater than 5�m counted in the blank
BFL = Total number of fields counted on the blank
ECA = Effective collecting area of filter (385 mm2 nominal for a 25-mm filter.)
FR = Pump flow rate (L/min)
MFA = Microscope count field area (mm2). This is 0.00785 mm2 for a Walton-
Beckett Graticule.
T = Sample collection time (min)
Note: The collection area of a filter is seldom equal to 385 mm2. It is appropriate for laboratories to routinely monitor the exact diameter using an inside micrometer. The collection area is calculated according to the formula:
Area = " (d/2)2
Since a given analyst always has the same interpupillary distance, the number of fields per filter for a particular analyst will remain constant for a given size filter. The field size for that analyst is constant (i.e. the analyst is using an assigned microscope and is not changing the reticle). For example, if the exposed area of the filter is always 385 mm2 and the size of the field is always 0.00785 mm2, the number of fields per filter will always be 49,000. In addition it is necessary to convert liters of air to cc. These three constants can then be combined such that ECA/(1,000 X MFA) = 49. The previous equation simplifies to:
(c) Recount Calculations. As mentioned in step 13 of 6 (f)(ii), a “blind recount” of 10% of the slides is performed. In all cases, differences will be observed between the first and second counts of the same filter wedge. Most of these differences will be due to chance alone, that is, due to the random variability (precision) of the count method. Statistical recount criteria enables one to decide whether observed differences can be explained due to chance alone or are probably due to systematic differences between analysts, microscopes, or other biasing factors. The following recount criterion is for a pair of counts that estimate AC in fibers/cc. The criterion is given at the type-I error level. That is, there is 5% maximum risk that we will reject a pair of counts for the reason that one might be biased, when the large observed difference is really due to chance. Reject a pair of counts if:
AC1 = lower estimated airborne fiber concentration
AC2 = higher estimated airborne fiber concentration
ACavg = average of the two concentration estimates
CVFB = CV for the average of the two concentration estimates
(c) Bayer, S.G., Zumwalde, R.D., Brown, T.A., Equipment and Procedure for Mounting Millipore Filters and Counting Asbestos Fibers by Phase Contrast Microscopy, Bureau of Occupational Health, U.S. Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare, Cincinnati,OH,1969.
(e) Asbestos, Code of Federal Regulations 29 CFR 1910.1001. 1971.
(h) Criteria for a Recommended Standard--Occupational Exposure to Asbestos (DHEW/NIOSH Pub. No. HSM 72-10267), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH, Cincinnati, OH, 1972. pp. III-1-III-24.
CV = antilog10[A(log10(x))2+B(log10(x))+C]
x = the number of fibers/mm2
CV = antilog10[0.182205(log10 (x))2 - 0.973343(log 10(x)) + 0.327499].
Qact = actual flow rate
Qcal = calibrated flow rate (if a rotameter was used, the rotameter value)
Pcal = uncorrected air pressure at calibration
Pact = uncorrected air pressure at sampling site
Tact = temperature at sampling site (K)
Tcal = temperature at calibration (K)
(d) Measure the magnified grid length, PL (�m), using the stage micrometer.
(f) Let D = 100 �m. Calculate the circle diameter, dc (mm), for the Walton-Beckett graticule and specify the diameter when making a purchase:
Example: If PL = 108 �m, AL = 2.93 mm and D = 100 �m, then,
(g) Each eyepiece-objective-reticle combination on the microscope must be calibrated. Should any of the three be changed (by zoom adjustment, disassembly, replacement, etc.), the combination must be recalibrated. Calibration may change if interpupillary distance is changed. Measure the field diameter, D (acceptable range: 100 �2 �m) with a stage micrometer upon receipt of the graticule from the manufacturer. Determine the field area (mm2).
Field Area = p(D/2)2
If D = 100 �m = 0.1 mm, then
Field Area = +(0.1 mm/2)2 = 0.00785 mm2
Fiber crosses grataicule twice.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, .050, RCW 49.26.040 and RCW 49.26.130. 99-17-026 (Order 98-35), � 296-62-07737, filed 08/10/99, effective 11/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. 97-01-079, 296-62-07737, filed 12/17/96, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), 296-62-07737, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.050(2) and 49.17.040. 87-10-008 (Order 87-06), 296-62-07737, filed 4/27/87.]