Introduction to Asbestos Safety

Welcome to the Asbestos Awareness E-Learning module. Asbestos exposure is a serious concern, especially in the fire and flood restoration industry, and is the leading cause of work-related death claims in BC.

This module provides essential information based on the BCCSA guide and WorkSafeBC's Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos manual.

Why is this important for Restoration?

• Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) can be disturbed during a fire or flood loss itself, or by initial mitigation attempts.
• Workers (adjusters, inspectors, technicians, project managers) can be exposed before formal restoration begins.
• Employers MUST protect workers even in emergency scenarios.
• Hazardous materials, including asbestos, are a major focus of WorkSafeBC inspections.
• Safe work protocols are crucial during initial site entry, surveying, and contents handling.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals valued historically for properties like insulation, strength, and resistance to heat and chemicals.

Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) is any material with 0.5% or more asbestos (by specific analytical methods). Exception: Vermiculite insulation is considered ACM if *any* asbestos is present, even if it is less than 0.5%.

Where is Asbestos Found?

Primarily in buildings constructed before the early 1990s, but can be in newer buildings (up to 2018) in sealants, adhesives, mastics, caulking, and cement products.

Types of Asbestos

• Serpentine (Chrysotile/White Asbestos): Most common (>95%), flexible, curved fibers.
• Amphibole (Amosite/Brown Asbestos, etc.): Straight, stiff fibers. Found in coatings, insulation, cement. Rarer in BC, sometimes contaminates vermiculite.

Friability: A Key Hazard Factor

Friability is the ability of a material to be crumbled or powdered by hand pressure. Friable ACM is much more hazardous because the fibers can easily become airborne (aerosolized).

Health Hazards & Exposure Limits

Asbestos exposure is extremely dangerous, primarily through inhalation of airborne fibers.

Major Health Risks (Chronic Exposure):

• Asbestosis : Scarring of lung tissue, reducing elasticity and making breathing difficult.
A chronic, progressive lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers over time.
• Lung Cancer : Significantly increased risk, especially for smokers exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen (Group 1 Agent - IARC).
• Mesothelioma : A rare but aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). Strongly linked to asbestos exposure.
Can develop even with relatively low levels of exposure, often decades later.

Exposure Limits (OHSR Section 5.48)

The WorkSafeBC Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for all forms of asbestos is 0.1 fibres per cubic centimeter (fibres/cc) of air, averaged over an 8-hour workday.

Risk Identification, Assessment & Control

Before any work begins on a site where ACM might be present, employers MUST identify, assess, and control the risks.

Key Steps Before Work:

1. Conduct a Hazardous Materials Survey by a Qualified Person .
Identifies all potential hazardous materials, including ACM.
A person with specific knowledge, training, and experience in asbestos management (e.g., certified professionals, experienced abatement personnel with training). They perform surveys, risk assessments, develop procedures, collect samples, and do clearance inspections.
2. If ACM is suspected or identified, develop an Asbestos Inventory .
Documents location, type, condition, and % asbestos for all ACM onsite. Must be kept up-to-date.
3. Conduct a detailed Asbestos Risk Assessment (by Qualified Person).
Evaluates potential exposure based on ACM properties (friability, condition, accessibility, % asbestos) and planned work activities.
4. Classify the planned work as Low, Moderate, or High risk (by Qualified Person).
5. Develop site-specific Safe Work Procedures and an Exposure Control Plan (ECP) .
Detailed steps for performing the work safely, including controls, PPE, decontamination, and waste disposal.
A comprehensive plan outlining how asbestos exposure will be controlled on site.
6. Appoint a trained Asbestos ECP Administrator.
7. Inform workers of all hazards present (asbestos, mould, lead, etc.).

Work Risk Classification (OHSR 6.1):

Notice of Project (NOP)

An NOP must be submitted to WorkSafeBC at least 48 hours before starting work involving:

• Moderate or High risk asbestos activities.
• Alteration, repair, dismantling, or demolition of buildings where ACM was processed, manufactured, or stored.

In emergencies, work can start immediately, but the NOP must be filed ASAP, and reasonable effort made to contact WorkSafeBC.

Hazard Controls

Because asbestos is a carcinogen and the ALARA principle applies, controls must follow the Hierarchy of Controls , prioritizing the most effective methods.

Control Methods by Risk Level

Site-specific procedures are required, developed by a Qualified Person. The following are general examples (refer to WorkSafeBC's Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos for details).

Note: This table provides general examples. Specific PPE and controls depend on the detailed risk assessment and anticipated airborne fiber concentrations.

PPE & Hygiene

Respiratory Protection

Choosing the right respirator is critical and depends on the expected concentration of asbestos fibers in the air (determined by risk assessment).

• Use at least P100 filters (or N100/R100) for air-purifying respirators.
• Disposable/single-use dust masks are NOT acceptable for asbestos work.
• Higher concentrations require full-facepiece respirators, Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), or Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs).
• Fit Testing is mandatory for all tight-fitting respirators (half/full facepiece).
Ensures the respirator forms an effective seal with the wearer's face. Must be done initially and typically annually, or if face shape changes.
• Workers must be clean-shaven where the respirator seals.
• Perform a Seal Check each time the respirator is put on.
A quick check (positive/negative pressure) performed by the user to ensure the respirator is seated correctly.
• Inspect respirators before each use. Clean and store properly according to the respirator program.
• Replace filters when breathing resistance increases or per manufacturer/program schedule.

Other PPE

• Disposable Coveralls: Required when working with ACM or entering contaminated areas. Usually Type 5/6 or better. Hoods are necessary.
• Gloves: Disposable gloves suitable for the task.
• Footwear: Laceless rubber boots or disposable booties over work boots. Must be easily cleanable or disposable.
• Eye Protection: Safety glasses or goggles, especially if not using a full-facepiece respirator.
• Other PPE as needed: Hard hats, high-visibility vests, hearing protection based on site hazards.

If reusable PPE (like boots) cannot be fully decontaminated, it must be disposed of as asbestos waste.

Hygiene & Decontamination

Strict hygiene is essential to prevent taking asbestos fibers home or ingesting them.

• NO eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum in the work area.
• Avoid touching face while working.
• Wash hands and face thoroughly after work and before eating/drinking.
• Follow specific decontamination procedures based on risk level (wet wiping, HEPA vacuuming, designated wash stations, multi-stage showers for high-risk).
• Remove contaminated coveralls carefully, rolling them inward, and place in designated, labelled asbestos waste bags.
• Shower after high-risk work, often while still wearing the respirator initially.

Education, Monitoring & Record Keeping

Education & Training

Employers MUST ensure workers are adequately trained on asbestos hazards and site-specific controls.

• Mandatory Asbestos Certification training (Level 1, 2, 3, S) is required for specific roles (abatement, transport, disposal, supervision, surveying) as of Jan 1, 2024.
• General and site-specific training must cover:
  • Recognizing potential ACM
  • Health hazards
  • Safe work procedures & ECP details
  • Engineering controls & PPE use (including fit testing & seal checks)
  • Decontamination procedures
  • Waste handling and disposal
  • Emergency procedures
  • How to report hazards or exposures
• Training records (attendance, dates, material) must be documented and retained.
• Workers must be trained to STOP WORK if asbestos is unexpectedly encountered until a Qualified Person assesses the situation.

Monitoring the Work Environment

Air sampling is required to assess worker exposure and ensure controls are effective.

• Required for Moderate and High risk work.
• Includes personal sampling (on workers), area sampling, and clean room sampling (daily for high-risk).
• Air Clearance Sampling is required before dismantling high-risk containments (and sometimes moderate-risk) to ensure the area is safe.
Measures airborne fiber concentration after abatement to confirm it's below acceptable levels before re-occupancy or removal of controls.
• Must be conducted by a Qualified Person, typically from an independent third-party lab/consultant.

Health Monitoring

• Regular medical exams (including lung function tests, chest X-rays) may be required for workers with regular asbestos exposure (e.g., abatement workers).
• Workers must report any potential exposure symptoms to their employer and WorkSafeBC.

Record Keeping

Employers must maintain records for specific durations:

• At least 10 years: Risk assessments, site inspections, air monitoring results, incident reports, NOPs, training records.
• Until ACM removed: Current asbestos inventory (by employer and owner).
• Until property transfer: Records of changes to the inventory.

Roles & Responsibilities

Everyone on a worksite has health and safety responsibilities, especially regarding hazardous materials like asbestos. These are summaries; refer to the WCA and OHSR for full details.

Knowledge Check

Test your understanding of the key concepts covered in this module.