Once called the “miracle material,” asbestos was used in thousands of products due to its unique properties. But when the health hazards of asbestos became clear, many uses were discontinued. However, asbestos installed in buildings and facilities decades ago remains a threat today. Workers in maintenance, custodial, and other roles may encounter deteriorating asbestos materials. Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other deadly diseases.

To protect workers, OSHA regulations require training in asbestos awareness and safety procedures. Read on to learn key facts employees need to know to avoid asbestos exposure.

Unique Properties of Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral prized for qualities like:

  • Lightweight
  • Fireproof
  • Chemical-resistant
  • Heat/cold/electricity insulation

These traits made asbestos perfect for thousands of products. It was used in brake pads, appliances, electric blankets, vinyl floor tiles, roofing, and more.

In buildings, asbestos was sprayed on steel beams as fireproofing, used as insulation on pipes/ductwork, and mixed into ceiling and floor tiles. These applications took advantage of its versatility and insulating abilities.

The Hidden Dangers of Asbestos

Unlike most minerals, asbestos breaks down into microscopic fibers, like strands of rope. These fibers are so small they are invisible to the naked eye. Their tiny size allows them to lodge deep in lung tissue when inhaled. The fibers irritate the lungs, eventually causing scar tissue and disease.

Diseases caused by asbestos include:

  • Asbestosis – scarring of lung tissue leading to breathing difficulties.
  • Lung cancer – asbestos fibers trapped in lungs trigger cell mutations and tumor growth.
  • Mesothelioma – cancer in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Often fatal.

These diseases can develop even decades after exposure. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Smokers exposed to asbestos face even greater risks, with a likelihood of developing lung cancer 50 times higher than nonsmokers.

Asbestos also poses a hazard when fibers are swallowed. This can occur after fibers are inhaled then cleared from the lungs, or from contaminated food or drinks. Ingested fibers can cause cancers of the throat, esophagus and gastrointestinal tract.

Where Workers May Encounter Asbestos

Although many asbestos products have been phased out, it remains present in many older buildings and facilities. Asbestos materials deteriorate over time, releasing fibers that create exposure hazards.

Workers in maintenance, custodial, construction and related roles may encounter asbestos in these typical applications:

  • Pipe/boiler insulation – used for containing heat and preventing energy loss. Often found on heating and plumbing systems.
  • Sprayed coatings – fireproofing and soundproofing sprayed on ceilings, walls, and structural beams.
  • Floor and ceiling tiles – asbestos added for sound absorption and insulation.

These asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) pose little risk when intact. But maintenance, renovation or damage can release asbestos fibers into the air to be inhaled or ingested.

Identifying and Reporting Asbestos Hazards

Your employer must identify ACMs in your workplace and make this information available to employees. Signs or labels should mark identified asbestos areas.

Be alert for damaged materials that may contain asbestos, such as:

  • Torn, frayed or peeled insulation on pipes, ducts or boilers.
  • Pitted, cracked or crumbling sprayed coatings on ceilings, walls or beams.
  • Loose ceiling tiles or those with cracked edges.
  • Vinyl floor tiles with worn spots, scrapes or cracks.

Also watch for debris, dust or water leaks near possible ACMs. Any damage should be reported immediately so proper repairs can be made. Do not attempt to handle or remove ACMs yourself.

Safe Work Practices Around Asbestos

Employers must ensure asbestos exposure is controlled through safe work practices, protective gear, and other measures. Key things to remember:

  • Wet down ACMs before disturbing to minimize airborne dust.
  • Never use compressed air for asbestos clean-up. Use wet wiping or a HEPA vacuum.
  • Wear approved respirators and protective clothing during asbestos handling.
  • Shower immediately after working around asbestos to avoid spreading fibers.
  • Dispose of asbestos waste properly in sealed, labeled containers.

Speak to your supervisor for full details on your facility’s exposure control procedures. Never perform unauthorized asbestos work or skip prescribed safety steps.

Asbestos Awareness Protects You and Coworkers

While asbestos illnesses can be devastating, proper training and vigilance can greatly reduce risks. Identify materials that may contain asbestos and watch for damage or deterioration. Always follow prescribed precautions such as using respiratory protection, minimizing dust, and containing waste safely. Speak up if you notice missing signs or labels in possible asbestos areas.

Although hazards remain, asbestos-related disease is nearly 100% preventable when appropriate procedures are consistently followed. Stay safe by knowing where asbestos lurks, making smart decisions to limit exposure, and working carefully around this hidden workplace danger.

The Problem:

Once hailed as a “miracle material,” asbestos still poses serious health risks to countless workers. It’s lurking in many older buildings, and in roles ranging from maintenance to engineering, professionals may unwittingly come in direct contact with this hazardous substance. The chilling fact is that diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis could be lurking in your future if you’re not educated and prepared. But here’s the good news: these diseases are nearly 100% preventable when the right procedures are followed. How do you equip yourself and your team with this life-saving knowledge? Read on.

Do you want to safeguard yourself and your employees from the invisible, insidious danger that could be lurking in your workplace right now? Do you want to arm yourself with information so you’re not just relying on signs or labels? Our full-length interactive courses on “Asbestos Awareness” promise to do just that—turning you from vulnerable to vigilant, from unaware to fully prepared.

The hazard isn’t just in the crumbling old insulation or the dusty corners of a boiler room. It’s in the lack of awareness, the missing knowledge that can be the thin line between health and a host of incurable diseases.

The Solution:

Our full-length interactive courses are designed not just to inform but to transform. These courses delve into critical topics like:

  • Asbestos: “miracle” and menace
  • The health effects of asbestos
  • Thermal system insulation
  • Surfacing materials, floor, and ceiling tiles
  • Protective equipment and safe work practices
  • Decontamination and medical surveillance
  • and more

You don’t have to sift through a hundred-page manual. Our courses are interactive, available in both English and Spanish, and designed to engage you every step of the way. These are not mere check-the-box trainings but programs built to engrain safe practices into your daily routines.

We have helped countless organizations comply with OSHA standards, but more importantly, we’ve equipped their staff with knowledge that can be life-saving.

So don’t wait. Equip yourself and your team with the knowledge to navigate a world where dangers may not always be visible but are entirely preventable. Invest in Our Asbestos Awareness Full-Length Interactive Courses today by clicking on the link below:

Asbestos Awareness – Online Safety Training

References:

  1. Image reference: Oregon DOT