OSHA -- Asbestos Brake and Clutch Repair: Negative pressure enclosure/HEPA vacuum system method

Read about OSHA recommendations when repairing brake and clutch parts in cars to ensure that you are not exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers. The negative pressure enclosure/HEPA vacuum system method includes the following steps:

1. Enclose the brake or clutch assembly to prevent release of asbestos fibers into the employee’s breathing zone during brake or clutch inspection, disassembly, repair, and reassembly operations. Use a transparent enclosure with impermeable sleeves.

2. Seal the enclosure tightly and thoroughly, inspect for leaks before beginning work.

3. The enclosure must be transparent so that the employee can clearly see the operation during brake or clutch inspection, disassembly, repair, and reassembly. The enclosure must also have impermeable sleeves to allow the employee to handle the brake and clutch assembly without penetrating the enclosure. The integrity of the sleeves and ports must be inspected before work begins.

4. Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum to keep the enclosure under negative pressure throughout the operation. Compressed air may be used to remove asbestos fibers or particles from the enclosure.

5. Use the HEPA-filtered vacuum first to loosen asbestos residue from the brake and clutch parts, then evacuate the loosened material from the enclosure into a vacuum filter.

6. When the vacuum filter is full, spray it with a fine mist of water before removing it. Immediately place it in a labeled, impermeable container and dispose of it as asbestos waste in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and in compliance with 1910.1001(k)(6). The label must include the following information: "DANGER, CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS, AVOID CREATING DUST, CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD."

Courtesy of OSHA