OSHA: Equivalent methods to reduce Asbestos exposure during Brake and Clutch work.

Read more about the OSHA recommendations regarding equivalent methods to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure when repairing automotive brake and clutch components. Like the preferred methods, an equivalent method must include a detailed description of the practices that must be followed when the method is used.

An employer who uses such a method must have a written description of the method that contains sufficient detail that the method can be reproduced. The employer must provide information demonstrating that the exposures resulting from an equivalent method are equal to or less than exposures from the negative pressure enclosure/HEPA vacuum system method.

For purposes of equivalency, employee exposures must not exceed 0.016 f/cc, as measured by the OSHA reference method and averaged over at least 18 personal samples. The following method, spray can/solvent system, may be used as an "equivalent" method.

The spray can/solvent system may be used when proper work practices are followed. At a minimum, the spray can/solvent system method must follow detailed written procedures including the following:

1. Wet the brake and clutch parts with the spray can/solvent before taking any other action.

2. Wipe the brake and clutch parts clean with a cloth.

3. Place contaminated cloth into an impermeable, properly labeled container, and then dispose of it as asbestos waste. Alternatively, the cloth can be laundered to prevent the release of asbestos fibers in excess of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air, expressed as an 8-hour time-weighted average.

4. Immediately clean any spilled solvent or dispersed asbestos with a cloth or HEPA vacuum.

Courtesy of OSHA