Safe Work Practices

Be Prepared Before Working in Areas Containing ACBMs

• Be aware of the locations ACBMs are likely to be found.

• Check the most recent triennial re-inspection report for the presence of ACBMs in buildings where you need to work.

• If you need to do work that might involve asbestos (lifting ceiling tiles, repairing insulated pipelines, etc.), check with your supervisor to find out what can be done safely.

  • If you're not sure, you can contact the Environmental Services Unit for guidance (gary.bignami@k12.hi.us) (808) 784-5067.

• Suspect ACBM must be assumed to contain asbestos until it is verified otherwise.

• You cannot tell just by looking at them whether floor or ceiling tiles, or any other suspect ACBM, contain asbestos.

• Report any damaged asbestos-containing materials to your supervisor immediately.

• Do not attempt to clean up spills yourself!

• If there is an asbestos spill, disturb the spilled material as little as possible.

If you find damaged ACBM, do not attempt to repair or clean up the spill. Only maintenance personnel who have had the 16 hour O&M training may clean up or repair damaged asbestos material (< 3 square or linear feet)

Remember What to Do if There is a Fiber Release Episode

Fiber release episode means any uncontrolled or unintentional disturbance of ACBM resulting in visible emission.

A major fiber release episode requires closure of the room involved and clean up by certified asbestos workers. This can be a significant inconvenience, since it may take some time to get the asbestos workers to the school site (especially neighbor island locations).

A minor fiber release does not necessarily require closure of a facility, but access to the area must be limited by barriers of some kind. If the area will be disturbed by air currents (wind), consider closing off access until clean up. If there is a discrete pile of dusty material, spray and thoroughly wet with soapy water to prevent dust from escaping.

ALL FIBER RELEASE EPISODES MUST BE DOCUMENTED

• Forms available on ESU Google Drive

• Documentation will be performed by clean up contractors in most cases

Major fiber release:

• > 3 square or linear feet of friable ACM

• Stop work

• Limit access

• Turn off AC

• Inform Supervisor

• DO NOT CLEAN UP

• Call the Environmental Services Unit to arrange for clean up

Minor fiber release:

• ≤ 3 square or linear feet of friable ACM

• 16 hour training required for clean up

• RESPIRATOR TRAINING, MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

• Inform Supervisor

• Call the Environmental Services Unit to arrange for clean up

The following list includes some of the content of 16 hour training, which is not included in 2 hour asbestos awareness training.

Instruction on the Type of Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Proper Use

• Respirator, disposable work suits, gloves, boots and eye protection

Area Preparation Where O&M is Needed

• Remove all moveable objects to protect them from asbestos contamination

• Cover unmovable objects with 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting

• Clean contaminated objects with HEPA filtered vacuum or wet-wiping

Use Wet Methods

• Always use wet methods where disturbing ACM is possible, except on electrical equipment or when excessive damage would occur

• Use “amended water” wetting agent: 1 cup dish detergent to 5 gal water

• Continuous application with airless sprayer until material saturated

Other Techniques

• Glove bags, Removal of entire structure wrapped in 6 mil PE plastic, Permanent enclosure

Stripping ACBM Flooring Prior to Waxing

• Strip the floors as infrequently as possible

  • once per year maximum

• Only strip floors when building is not occupied by students, teachers and other staff

• Before you begin, make sure you thoroughly understand how to operate the machines

• Know which pads are for which types of floor-care maintenance operations.

• Apply floor finish remover or stripper with a mop.

• Allow enough time for the stripper to liquefy the finish.

• Always strip the floor while wet

Finishing ACM Flooring

• Prior to applying a finish coat to ACM flooring, apply 2 to 3 coats of sealer.

• Use high percentage solids finish

  • Apply several thin coats of a high percentage solid finish

  • Allow each coat to dry & cure before applying the next coat

• Dry Buffing the Floor

  • Make sure your floors are well sealed and/or finished before you begin

  • Run the machine used to buff the floor at a lowest rate of speed possible (300-1100 rpm’s).

  • In other words...don't buff so vigorously that you end up buffing the asbestos layer!

Care & Maintenance of ACM Flooring

• Routine Cleaning

  • Use a wet mop for routine cleaning whenever possible.

• Spray Buffing

  • Whenever you spray buff with a polishing or rejuvenator liquid, use the least abrasive pad possible.

  • Run the floor machine at a lowest rate of speed possible to get the job done (175-300 rpm’s)

• Wet Scrubbing

  • Whenever you wet scrub the floor with a neutral cleaner or water, use the least abrasive pad possible

  • Run the floor machine at a lowest rate of speed possible to get the job done (175-300 rpm’s). Use a wet vacuum, preferably one equipped with a HEPA filtration system, to pick up the resulting liquid. After the floor is dry, re-coat it with a compatible finish.

Care & Maintenance of ACM Flooring

• Chair & desk glides

  • Check that chair & desk glides are in good condition and replace if needed

  • Worn glides can gouge the floor coverings and possibly cause asbestos fiber release

• MAXIMO for repair