NOAA Asbestos Management Plan: Introduction

We recommend you read the Asbestos Management plan written by the NOAA with regard to asbestos containing materials (ACM) for maintenance workers.

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) were used widely as construction and insulating materials in buildings from the 1940s through the late 1970s. In many older buildings asbestos is still present in the form of pipe, duct, and boiler insulation and in other materials such as floor tiles.

ACMs are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

In terms of environmental protection, while asbestos is a serious health and safety concern, currently available data and risks assessments indicate that properly managed, undamaged ACM in buildings do not present a significant health risk to building occupants; therefore, the focus is to provide comprehensive and effective management rather than total removal.

Effective management of ACM may include the following approaches, depending on the nature of the material, its condition, and potential for exposure.

ACM that is in a safe condition and does not present a danger to building occupants may be left in place and periodically inspected to ensure it remains in a safe condition.

For ACM that presents a potential exposure concern one or more of the following actions may be appropriate: removal and secure disposal by certified subcontract personnel; enclosure or encapsulation; restricted access and isolation.

Courtesy of http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov

Other helpful links:

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