I just found out that our hospital still contains asbestos. Do you work in a place that still has it and what are the laws (federal) governing its removal?
Thanks
Q
I went to 2 and a half years of middle school in a building that was built in 1939 and had asbestos.
I don’t know much about the laws except that the fact we had asbestos wasn’t enough to get us a new building (we eventually got one just because ours was so old and crowded.)
Undisturbed stable asbestos is no problem. The fact that they’ve identified it as such is good news - it means that if they ever do any building/demolition work, they’ll be well prepared to deal with it.
Laws governing it’s removal? There are hundreds of 'em. OSHA and DOL are the two large ones, but I think the DOH has as say as well.
Basically, if the asbestos is in fine condition, then you’ll be OK. Since it is a hospital, they will be extra vigilent making sure it’s OK not being removed. If it IS to be removed, then basically expect to have a large plastic barrier between you and it. It varies from state to state, but the general rule seems to be at least two layers of at least 4 mil thick plastic sheeting. There are several steps to entering, involoving several rooms to take off street clothes, put on Tyvec coveralls and a respirator, and a shower for exiting. There will be a negative air machine blowing air out of the room…don’t worry, the air passes through several HEPA filters before going outside, and even then the exit has to be a minimum entrance away from any air intakes to the building or entrances. The negative air means that the air pressure is lower inside, so air from the outside blows in, making it less likely for asbestos to go out through the door (which, since there are several rooms with an intricate flap system, is unlikely in the first place.)
The asbestos will probably be wetted with water that has a chemical added to keep it from floating around. It is double bagged in thick plastic bags specially labeled, and transported out of the place through a special waste exit.
Air tests are run before, during, and after the work. If the levels outside reach above what the were before any work started, the work is stopped and evaluated and any problems fixed. After is is all removed, a final air test is run inside, where the level of asbestos has to be below what it was before.
All in all, you’ll be safe. The workers inside, however…most tend to not wear a full suit, as it gets hot, or they wear street clothes underneath, and don’t take showers after working (some don’t even wear respirators!). But again, if they track out asbestos with them, the air tests will catch it and the work will stop, so it’s mostly themselves they are hurting.