Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Materials removal by the pros!

ASBESTOS

Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices

Hazardous Materials

• Consider the potential for Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). Structures built before 1980 are more likely to contain ACM
• If available, review the building operations and maintenance plan and ACM survey to determine the locations and types of ACM in building
• Thermal system insulation (formed or spray-on) is the ACM of greatest concern for response and recovery worker exposure
• Other materials that may contain asbestos include: vinyl floor tile, home siding & shingles, transite (including cement piping), flame retardant materials (e.g., gloves, curtains) and roof flashing
• If building is suspected or known to contain asbestos-containing thermal system insulation, ensure a qualified individual, such as a competent person, a person certified as an asbestos inspector by the State, or a safety and health professional, inspects the building and evaluates the condition of the material prior to any remediation or cleanup of ACM or PACM by other response and recovery workers
• If located, do not disturb material and isolate area until material can be visually inspected for integrity
• Before demolishing a structure, remove or otherwise address ACM in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations
• If removal is necessary to complete work, ACM must be removed by workers who are trained to perform the class of abatement work they will conduct, using the methods identified in 29 CFR 1926.1101. ACM must be discarded in a landfill that has a permit to accept ACM

 

LEAD

Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices

Hazardous Materials

• Identify building materials such as painted surfaces and pipes that may contain lead. Test materials as necessary.
• Based on test results, perform a worker exposure assessment of the planned activities, that includes air monitoring and/or objective data, to determine if lead dust or fume may be generated at or above OSHA’s action level (0.03 milligrams of lead per cubic meter of air (mg/m3))
• If so, then the activities must be done in compliance with 29 CFR 1926.62. This would include:
  • Establishing a written lead compliance program
  • Having a competent person conduct frequent and regular inspections of the jobsite, materials, and equipment
  • Sampling worker exposures
  • Using special equipment or methods to decrease lead-dust generation such as local exhaust ventilation, dust collection systems (on power tools), and good housekeeping practices
  • Providing respiratory protection and protective work clothing
  • Providing medical exams and blood tests before work begins and every six months, as necessary
  • Ensuring that workers wash their hands and face before eating, drinking, and smoking
  • Setting up and ensuring use of change areas and eating facilities that are separate from the work area
  • Limiting the wearing of lead-contaminated clothing in eating areas or away from the job site

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  During certain tasks, workers must be treated as if they are exposed above the OSHA PEL (0.05 mg/m³) until an exposure assessment, which includes air sampling, is performed. For each of these tasks, OSHA has identified an exposure level on which to base decisions until an exposure assessment is complete. If planned activities include any of the tasks below, you must provide the following items while the exposure assessment is being performed: respiratory protection and PPE identified in 29 CFR 1926.62(d)(2), change areas, hand washing facilities, training, and biological monitoring. These tasks include:

  • Where lead coatings or paint are present: manual demolition, scraping, and sanding; heat gun applications; power tool cleaning (with or without dust collection systems); cleanup activities where dry expandable abrasives are used; rivet busting; abrasive blasting (including enclosure movement or removal); welding; cutting; and torch burning
  • Spray painting with lead paint
  • Using lead containing mortar
  • Lead burning

 

CHEMICAL AND MATERIAL STORAGE AND USE

Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices

• Segregate and store incompatible chemicals separately. For example, store solvents and oxidizers (e.g., peroxides) separately, and acids and caustics separately
• Secure compressed gas cylinders and ensure that they are stored properly when not in use (regulators off and valve caps on when not in use; separate oxygen and fuel gas by 20 feet or using a non-combustible barrier (5 ft high, fire-resistant rating of at least ½ hour))
• Store chemicals in containers approved and designed for chemical storage and mark all storage locations
• Store and handle hazardous materials in areas with natural or forced ventilation; do not store or handle in low-lying areas
• Isolate, secure and identify storage areas
• Prohibit smoking near storage areas
• Keep ignition sources at least 25 feet away from storage areas
• Ensure that fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents are available in the immediate area
• Bond and ground containers before dispensing flammable liquids. [29 CFR 1926.152(e)(2)]

Additional Personal Protective Equipment

• Gloves made of material that will protect user from chemicals handled
• Face shield or goggles with indirect venting. If a face shield is selected, eye protection must be worn under the face shield
• Coveralls or apron resistant to chemicals being handled
• Disposable boot covers resistant to the chemicals being handled
• A respirator and cartridges specific for chemical, as necessary