Asbestos Management Plan 2019.pdf

Asbestos Management Plan

Reviewed 07/02/2019

Acting RL:

Administrative Officer:

Purpose and Scope This plan has been developed to protect the health and safety of the USDA-ARS employees, building occupants and visitors from potential exposure to asbestos. Accordingly, the purpose of this plan is to establish a pro-active, in-place management program for recognizing, controlling and mitigating potential asbestos hazards. This plan serves as the Location Asbestos Management Plan.

Roles and Responsibilities The Research Leader along with the Unit and Location Safety Committee will continue to monitor asbestos sites within the facilities.

Notification Building Occupant Notifications Research Leader will be in charge of maintaining asbestos notifications and postings with assistance from Location/Unit Safety Committee Members.

Employees will be notified by email and/or staff meetings informing them of the presence of asbestos and the procedures that must be followed when renovations are planned.

Contractors Notifications Prior to arriving to work at the facility, contractors will have been notified about the presence of asbestos containing materials through their contract documents which will give notice of the possibility of encountering asbestos containing materials. Contractors will ensure that all employees and subcontractors know of the possibility of encountering asbestos containing materials.

Asbestos Identification The Location maintains a facility database which consists of the location of asbestos, condition of the site and last inspection of the site.

Training of Custodial Contractors/Employees Required for all custodial and maintenance employees prior to assignment to a building containing asbestos and annually thereafter.

Training is provided by company.

Location will provide as needed asbestos training.

Medical Surveillance Employees who have been exposed to asbestos are to be monitored through the Occupational Maintenance Surveillance Program.

Administrative Procedures Notification to Occupants Prior to Asbestos Removal Activities Occupants of areas adjacent to planned asbestos removal projects must be notified prior to the start of removal activities. This notification may be in writing to the employees and must include information pertaining to what material is being removed and what measures are being taken to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers.

Surveillance of Asbestos Containing Materials USDA-ARS personnel will conduct periodic surveillance of conditions of asbestos containing materials in facilities. Deterioration or disturbance is documented and reported to the appropriate personnel for necessary repairs or abatements.

Maintenance of Asbestos Containing Materials Care of Asbestos-Containing Flooring Material

• Sanding of flooring material is prohibited

• Stripping of finishes shall be conducted using:

• Low abrasion pads

• Speeds lower than 300rpm

• Utilizing wet methods

• Burnishing or dry buffing shall only be conducted on floors with enough coat of floor finish, and only on floors where tiles and adhesives will remain intact throughout the process

• Floor care includes:

• Regular sweeping and wet mopping to maintain tile in good condition

• Regular applications of floor finish

• Use of mats in high traffic areas

Maintenance/Repair of Floor Tiles Personnel will contact qualified companies to maintain and repair floor tile. If full-scale abatement is required, which involves construction of containments and the presence of project monitoring and air sampling professionals, Area Office will be notified to the emergency of the project.

Floor finishes can be applied to prevent damage to the raw tile and is often recommended in offices where chair casters are scratching flooring or where sand and salt in the winter months is abrading the tile. It is highly recommended that individuals purchase mats to be placed underneath chairs with casters. Often, damage to tile can be prevented by the use of mats.

Adherence to these procedures remains the most effective option for maintaining floor tile in place. Broken and loose tiles should be reported.

The appropriate maintenance staff will assess the tile for necessary repairs.

Emergencies In the event that an emergency occurs:

• Isolate and secure the area

• Post warning sign on doors or at the area

• If possible, turn off fans, shut windows, seal the ventilation system, to prevent migration of fibers

Only properly trained and qualified individuals are allowed to commence clean-up activities of major fiber release emergencies. It is likely that a licensed abatement contractor will be better experienced and equipped to handle such a clean-up.