Asbestos Awareness Asbestos Awareness TrainingTraining

Miller Pipeline CorporationMiller Pipeline Corporation

Section 1Section 1IntroductionIntroduction

What is asbestos?What is asbestos? MicroscopicMicroscopic Spear-Shaped Fibers Spear-Shaped Fibers

(Canadian Asbestos Mine)(Canadian Asbestos Mine)

What is Asbestos?What is Asbestos? Comes from Earth’s surface.Comes from Earth’s surface. Mined like coal.Mined like coal.

What is asbestos?What is asbestos? Breaks apart easily.Breaks apart easily. Extremely light weight.Extremely light weight.

If one piece was dropped 6’ from the ground in a room with no If one piece was dropped 6’ from the ground in a room with no wind, it would take 8-10 hours for it to hit the floor!!wind, it would take 8-10 hours for it to hit the floor!!

What is Asbestos?What is Asbestos? Has existed for Has existed for billionsbillions of years. of years. Was used in building products for 80 years.Was used in building products for 80 years.

Why was is it Used?Why was is it Used? Great InsulatorGreat Insulator

Fire RetardantFire Retardant

Chemical ResistantChemical Resistant

Very Durable & StrongVery Durable & Strong

What is it in?What is it in? Over 3,000 materials Over 3,000 materials

can contain asbestos:can contain asbestos: InsulationInsulation Ceiling TileCeiling Tile Flooring TileFlooring Tile Brake PadsBrake Pads ShinglesShingles Valve PackingValve Packing House SidingHouse Siding Coal Tar CoatingCoal Tar Coating

Typical materials handled by MPC

Section 2Section 2Asbestos HazardsAsbestos Hazards

How can it Enter Body?How can it Enter Body? Inhalation (Breathing)Inhalation (Breathing) Ingestion (Swallowing)Ingestion (Swallowing)

Can Can NOTNOT be absorbed through eyes or skin. be absorbed through eyes or skin.

Why is it Hazardous?Why is it Hazardous? Fibers get lodged in lungs or stomach.Fibers get lodged in lungs or stomach. Body can not break down fibers.Body can not break down fibers. Scar tissue is formed over fibers.Scar tissue is formed over fibers. This can lead to serious illness:This can lead to serious illness:

Cancer (lung, stomach, colon) ~ 30 Years LaterCancer (lung, stomach, colon) ~ 30 Years Later Mesothelioma ~ 20 Years LaterMesothelioma ~ 20 Years Later ““Asbestosis” ~ 15 Years LaterAsbestosis” ~ 15 Years Later

Things to KnowThings to Know Safe level of exposure not currently known.Safe level of exposure not currently known. Smoking + asbestos = 50 x chance of cancer.Smoking + asbestos = 50 x chance of cancer.

BOTTOM LINE = Take asbestos exposure seriously, but…

Things to KnowThings to Know There are two types of asbestos:There are two types of asbestos:

FriableFriable: Can become airborne with hand pressure.: Can become airborne with hand pressure. Non-FriableNon-Friable: Cannot become airborne unless grinded, : Cannot become airborne unless grinded,

sanded or burned. sanded or burned. (materials handled by MPC)(materials handled by MPC)

Asbestos is only harmful if airborne.Asbestos is only harmful if airborne.

We have We have ALLALL been exposed to asbestos: been exposed to asbestos: Apply brakes while drivingApply brakes while driving Traveling down dusty roadTraveling down dusty road Remodeling or renovating homeRemodeling or renovating home

… do not panic!

Section 3Section 3Required ProceduresRequired Procedures

General ProceduresGeneral Procedures Trained Foremen must oversee removal of Trained Foremen must oversee removal of

“Asbestos Containing Materials” (ACM). “Asbestos Containing Materials” (ACM). Jobsites must be walked before work each day Jobsites must be walked before work each day

to identify, communicate & eliminate hazards.to identify, communicate & eliminate hazards.

General ProceduresGeneral Procedures Notify MPC & customer safety staffs prior to Notify MPC & customer safety staffs prior to

removing more than 260 linear feet of ACM.removing more than 260 linear feet of ACM.

General ProceduresGeneral Procedures NEVERNEVER sand, grind, or burn ACM without sand, grind, or burn ACM without

approval from MPC & customer safety staff.approval from MPC & customer safety staff. When working with ACM:When working with ACM:

Do not consume food/drinks or chew gumDo not consume food/drinks or chew gumDo not chew tobacco or smokeDo not chew tobacco or smoke

Task-Specific ProcedureTask-Specific Procedure

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar CoatingCarefully expose the pipe to minimize Carefully expose the pipe to minimize

contact or damage. contact or damage. Inspect the coating to ensure it is not Inspect the coating to ensure it is not

loose & likely to become “friable”.loose & likely to become “friable”.

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar CoatingPrepare tools & materials.Prepare tools & materials.Put on additional PPE (gloves & glasses).Put on additional PPE (gloves & glasses).

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar CoatingPlace plastic sheeting under pipe. Place plastic sheeting under pipe.

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar CoatingThoroughly soak coating with Thoroughly soak coating with

“amended water” (i.e. soap water)“amended water” (i.e. soap water)

And more water!

And more water!

And more water!

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating Score pipe with knife for clean cut ends.Score pipe with knife for clean cut ends. Remove wrap with chipping hammer & putty knife.Remove wrap with chipping hammer & putty knife. Spray coating as needed to keep wet.Spray coating as needed to keep wet.

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating Pick-up and place any loose debris on sheeting.Pick-up and place any loose debris on sheeting. Spray all materials on sheeting once again.Spray all materials on sheeting once again. Tightly roll sheeting inward. Tightly roll sheeting inward. Place sheeting in garbage bag.Place sheeting in garbage bag.

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating Clean tools with rags & amended water.Clean tools with rags & amended water. Place rags & disposable PPE in garbage bag.Place rags & disposable PPE in garbage bag.

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating Seal Garbage Bag Seal Garbage Bag Place Garbage Bag into 6-mil BagPlace Garbage Bag into 6-mil Bag Spray Inside of 6-mil BagSpray Inside of 6-mil Bag

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating Place Spray Bottle inside 6-mil BagPlace Spray Bottle inside 6-mil Bag Seal 6-mil Bag with Duct TapeSeal 6-mil Bag with Duct Tape

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating Place 6-mil Bag inside another 6-mil BagPlace 6-mil Bag inside another 6-mil Bag Seal that Bag with Duct TapeSeal that Bag with Duct Tape Apply Warning Label on Bag or Mark “Danger – Apply Warning Label on Bag or Mark “Danger –

Contains Asbestos” if no Label is AvailableContains Asbestos” if no Label is Available

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating Ensure Air-Tight SealEnsure Air-Tight Seal

Removing Coal Tar CoatingRemoving Coal Tar Coating Give Bag to Customer for DisposalGive Bag to Customer for Disposal

If Customer Declines Disposal Responsibility, If Customer Declines Disposal Responsibility, Contact the MPC Safety StaffContact the MPC Safety Staff

Overnight Storage Must be in Locked TruckOvernight Storage Must be in Locked Truck

Task-Specific ProcedureTask-Specific Procedure

Drilling Transite SidingDrilling Transite Siding

Identifying Transite SidingIdentifying Transite Siding Hard Compressed BoardsHard Compressed Boards

Nailed in Place Like Roofing ShinglesNailed in Place Like Roofing Shingles

Very Brittle (Shatter if hit with Hammer)Very Brittle (Shatter if hit with Hammer)

Bottom Edge Sometimes WavyBottom Edge Sometimes Wavy

Surface is Often TexturedSurface is Often Textured

Drilling Transite SidingDrilling Transite Siding Prepare tools & materials.Prepare tools & materials.

Put on additional PPE (gloves & glasses).Put on additional PPE (gloves & glasses). Place wet sponge over siding.Place wet sponge over siding. Drill through sponge.Drill through sponge. Use clean rag & amended water to clean Use clean rag & amended water to clean

siding and tools.siding and tools. Place rags & sponge into sealable bag.Place rags & sponge into sealable bag.

Give to customer for disposal.Give to customer for disposal.

Section 4Section 4ConclusionConclusion

ConclusionConclusionAsbestos is not Hazardous if Necessary Asbestos is not Hazardous if Necessary

Precautions are Taken.Precautions are Taken.

Make Sure to Follow Procedures, Even Make Sure to Follow Procedures, Even Though our Exposure is Minimal.Though our Exposure is Minimal.