| The purpose of asbestos awareness training is to | | | | electrical insulation, and other types of materials |
| offer employees with a primary knowledge of | | | | won't normally let you know if they include asbestos. |
| asbestos, its danger, and the capacity to recognize | | | | The only way to establish with certainty if a material |
| typical asbestos-containing supplies discovered in the | | | | contains asbestos is to have the Environmental |
| workplace. Realizing where it's found can help | | | | Health and Safety Department remove samples and |
| employees avoid exposure to this lethal mineral. | | | | study them in a lab. By no means take a sample on |
| What is asbestos? | | | | your own because it will possibly cause particles to |
| Asbestos is a bunch of minerals found almost | | | | become airborne and subject you to exposure. |
| everywhere in nature and is a fibrous substance. | | | | If a material is marked as containing asbestos or you |
| They're present in fireproofing items, electrical | | | | think that it could perhaps include hazardous |
| insulation, cement, building supplies, shingles for | | | | asbestos, such as 9-inch floor tiles or decorative |
| roofing, ceiling plaster, brake linings, chemical filters, | | | | ceiling tiles, you should not disturb it. Never cut, |
| and many other types of building items. Tiny | | | | disturb, move, hammer, saw, break, or damage any |
| asbestos particles can become airborne, particularly | | | | materials that you suspect might include this lethal |
| during the manufacturing of items that have | | | | mineral. |
| asbestos. These airborne particles can be inhaled, | | | | You should first check with the Environmental Health |
| causing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other | | | | and Safety Department before doing any work such |
| asbestos-related conditions. | | | | as fixing or replacing ceiling or floor tiles, replacing or |
| Asbestos is seen in numerous houses, schools, and | | | | fixing insulation around pipes, or removal of "popcorn" |
| other types of buildings, and is the reason asbestos | | | | ceilings. This includes moving aside ceiling tiles to |
| awareness training is so critical. Within the workplace | | | | perform any sort of maintenance work. Prior to |
| or home asbestos will most commonly be found as | | | | carrying out any work you should first decide if the |
| insulation above ceilings and on metal beams, in ceiling | | | | material contains asbestos. Once you have verified |
| and floor tiles produced prior to 1981, and in insulation | | | | that the items are harmless the work can be |
| around ducts. So far as floor tiles are concerned the | | | | performed. Nonetheless, if asbestos is discovered it |
| bulk of 9-inch tiles and some 12-inch tiles will include | | | | should be removed or sealed by qualified |
| asbestos in the event that they were manufactured | | | | professionals before any work is carried out. |
| prior to 1981. | | | | If any asbestos-containing items are discovered they |
| Is asbestos a danger in your office building? | | | | should be reported to the Environmental Health and |
| If a building has asbestos-containing materials a sign | | | | Safety Department. Until you have definitely proven |
| will be placed near any major door alerting everybody | | | | that any ceiling tiles, floor tiles, or sprayed-on plaster |
| to its existence. Also, if asbestos-containing-insulation | | | | doesn't include asbestos, you shouldn't attempt to |
| exists a label or sticker will be positioned to identify | | | | perform any work involving them. If you find possibly |
| the prospective threat. | | | | unsafe material take actions to stop others from |
| Valuable ways to prevent exposure | | | | coming into contact with the hazardous material or |
| Understanding where asbestos is located is the only | | | | disturbing it until a professional asbestos abatement |
| way you can avoid it. Always assume that all | | | | crew can clean it up. Realizing what items contain |
| potential asbestos-containing items have asbestos | | | | asbestos and where they are located can help you |
| unless confirmed to the contrary. Simply looking at | | | | avoid exposure to yourself and to others. |
| ceiling tiles, floor tiles, acoustic or decorative ceilings, | | | | |