Asbestos Checklist

These tailgate/toolbox talks were developed for use under California OSHA regulations. The complete set is available from the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley. For ordering information, visit the website (www.lohp.org) The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has adapted these talks to apply to federal OSHA regulations. To contact ACGIH, visit its web site (www.acgih.org).

Date Prepared:_______________________	By:_______________________
Project Name/No:_____________________	Location:___________________

• Check the box if the statement is true.
• Fill in the blanks where the appears.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

• The company has a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) that meets all Cal/OSHA requirements. It includes identification of asbestos hazards on the site, regular inspections, accident investigation, and correction of hazardous conditions. [1509]
• All asbestos-containing materials (ACM) on the site have been identified. [1509]

List materials, trade names (if applicable), and where they are found on the site: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

Cal/OSHA requires that worker exposure be kept at or below 0.2 fibers of asbestos per cubic centimeter of air, as an 8-hour average. This is called the 8-hour permissible exposure limit (PEL). Cal/OSHA also requires that exposure be kept at or below 1.0 fibers/cc as an average
during any 30-minute period—called the excursion limit. [1529(c)]

When exposure may be half the 8-hour PEL (i.e. 0.1 fibers/cc) or more, Cal/OSHA requires certain protective measures. This is called the action level.

• Exposures which may exceed the action level have been identified [1529(d)] and exposed workers have been provided with all the required training and medical surveillance.
• Air monitoring is performed in any work location where asbestos may be at or above the action level. [1529(d)]
• Workers have been informed of the results of air monitoring performed on themselves, in their work area, and/or for their trade. [3204(e)(2)(A)]

HAZARD COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING

• The company has a written Hazard Communication Program. [5194]
• All workers have received basic Hazard Communication training. [5194]
• Any and all workers who may be exposed to asbestos as a result of their work have received specific training in health effects, safe use, minimizing exposure, personal protective equipment, proper disposal, and emergency procedures. [1510, 1529(o), and 5194]
• For any new asbestos-containing products, containers are properly labeled. [5194(b)(1) and 5417(a)]
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are available on the site for all new asbestos-containing products used. [5194]
• Workers know where to find MSDSs and how to understand them. [5194]
• On multi-employer job sites, all employers and employees are informed about the nature of the asbestos-related work performed by any other employer. [1529(f)]
• There has been a pre-job safety conference on ACM hazards. [1510(c)]
• Only workers and supervisors who have written certification from an employer, stating that they have been trained, perform asbestos-related work involving over 100 sq.ft. of ACM, or work which will expose them to levels higher than the action level or excursion limit. [1529(o)]

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided by the company and used by workers if exposure may exceed the Cal/OSHA 8-hour PEL or 30-minute excursion limit. If personal protective equipment is worn, check that:

• Full protective clothing, such as disposable coveralls (including head and shoe covers), is used to keep asbestos debris off workers’ clothing. [1529(j)]
• If protective clothing is worn, it is properly stored (or disposed of) after completion of work, and is never taken home with workers. [1529(j)]

Site procedures for changing, storing, disposing of, and/or laundering protective clothing and other work clothes: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

• Change areas, showers, and clean lunch areas are provided for employees working where exposure exceeds the PEL. [1529(l)]
• Respirators are worn when airborne concentrations may exceed the PEL or excursion limit. [1529(i)]
• Respirators, cartridges, and replacement parts have been approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). [1531(b)]
• Workers who wear respirators have been medically evaluated, fit-tested, and trained. [1531(c) and (h)]
• If respirators are used on the site, the company has a written Respiratory Protection Program. [1531(f)]
• Paper dust masks are not used to control exposure to asbestos. [1529(i)]
• Any air purifying respirators are equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. [1529(i)]
• When not in use, respirators are stored in protective bags and out of the work area. [1529(i)]

WORKING WITH ACM

• Warning signs are posted at all approaches to regulated areas (where airborne asbestos may exceed the Cal/OSHA PEL or excursion limit). [1529(m)] The signs are readable from 20 feet away. [341.10(a)]
• ACM is kept wet during work (so fibers won’t become airborne). [1529(h)(1)]
• Hand-operated and power tools which may produce a concentration of fibers exceeding the PEL have local exhaust ventilation systems. High-speed abrasive disc saws are not used for ACM, unless they have local exhaust systems. [1529(g)]
• Compressed air is not used on ACM, or for cleaning where ACM is present. [1529(h)(2)]
• Any vacuuming equipment is fitted with HEPA filters. [1529(h)(8)]

WASTE

• All hazardous waste generated on the job has been identified. (ACM is considered hazardous waste if it contains greater than 1% asbestos and is friable or may become friable during disposal. Friable means it can be crumbled by hand pressure.)
• Containers of asbestos waste are sealed, impermeable, and labeled. [1529(h)]
• Waste is disposed of at a hazardous waste landfill.
• A manifest (shipment/disposal form) is completed, given to the hauler, and accompanies the waste to the landfill.

Specific ACM disposal procedures for this site: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

WORKING NEAR ACM

If your crew isn’t working with ACM but others at the job site are, then check that:
• The contractor, workers, and supervisors on the job are certified to do asbestos work. [1529(o)]
• Warning signs have been posted around the regulated areas. [1529(m)]
• Waste is properly stored and labeled. [1529(h)(5)]
• Workers in your crew have been notified about the asbestos job and informed of the potential hazards. [1529(f)]
• A copy of the Cal/OSHA Registration and Notification for the job is posted at the site (if required under 341.6 and 341.9).

 

GENERAL INSPECTION
Other Hazards Noted	Action
Near Miss Reports:
Other: