Opinion ID: 163787
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Negative Exposure Assessment

Text: 17 Tierdael asserts that even if the activity constituted Class II asbestos work, it was not required to comply with the OSHA requirements because it conducted a negative exposure assessment. Section 1926.1101(f)(2) requires an employer engaged in construction activity to conduct an exposure assessment before or at the initiation of the activity to ascertain expected exposures during [the] operation. In the alternative, employers may demonstrate that exposures will be below the PEL with objective data demonstrating that activity involving the asbestos-containing material cannot release airborne fibers above concentrations established by OSHA under work conditions having the greatest potential for releasing asbestos. 4 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(f)(2)(iii)(A). 18 Tierdael claims that objective industry data, the preamble, and an OSHA compliance directive constitutes objective data supporting the negative exposure assessment. For those violations which can be complied with by producing a negative exposure assessment, 5 the objective data must be comprised of sufficient information to conclude that the activity will not result in fiber levels in excess of the PELs. Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, 60 Fed.Reg. 33,974, 33,975 (June 29, 1995). Specifically, the objective data should address whether concentrations above the PEL are unlikely under foreseeable conditions. See Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, 59 Fed.Reg. 40,964, 40,983 (Aug. 10, 1994) (preamble). 19 After consideration of the entire record, this court upholds the ALJ's conclusion that Tierdael's negative exposure assessment was deficient under the OSHA Asbestos Standard. Tierdael's risk manager testified that the assessment was based upon the 1995 Western letter and a determination that the OSHA regulations did not apply. OSHA's regulations and preamble do not establish objective data because they do not contain the requisite basic statistical analysis which reflects the results of many jobs and/or employees under work conditions having the greatest potential for releasing asbestos fibers. 60 Fed.Reg. at 33,975. Neither the regulations nor the preamble specifically address the exposure level resulting from the removal of an asbestos-containing cement pipe from an excavation by breaking the pipe with a hammer. Additionally, the compliance directive references Class II roofing and flooring operations, which are not sufficiently similar to constitute objective data. 20 The 1995 Western letter is also insufficient objective data to constitute a negative exposure assessment. Sherman, a Western employee, testified that the process for removal used to collect the data for the 1995 Western letter differed from Tierdael's process in wetting method and breakage. At the hearing, Sherman testified that he did not recommend the use of a two-pound hammer to break the pipe. Furthermore, although the jobs of other employers can form the basis for statistical data, the data used by Tierdael was only based on one similar job using somewhat different methods. See OSHA Directive CPL 2-2.63 (Revised) Inspection Procedures for Occupational Exposure to Asbestos Final Rule 29 CFR Parts 1910.1001, 1926.1101, and 1915.1001 (Nov. 3, 1995). Such data does not reflect analysis which consistently demonstrates that asbestos exposure levels fall below the permissible level. See id. Although Jones testified that he relied on his knowledge of industry studies which concluded that breaking asbestos-containing cement pipe did not result in exposure levels exceeding the PEL, as well as consultations with Western, in formulating Tierdael's Asbestos Action Plan, the studies relied upon were not maintained by Tierdael. In addition, Tierdael did not present any objective data when the OSHA compliance officer requested an exposure assessment; instead, Tierdael claimed that an exposure assessment was not required. Therefore, the negative exposure assessment was inadequate under the circumstances. Accordingly, the Commission did not abuse its discretion, act arbitrarily or capriciously, or fail to act in accordance with the law in concluding that the objective data was insufficient to support a negative exposure assessment in compliance with the OSHA Asbestos Standard.