Cornell University
Asbestos Management Program
Introduction
- people are not exposed to significant levels of asbestos fibers
- asbestos waste is handled and disposed of properly
- members of the Cornell community have access to Environmental Health and Safety and University Health Services for information, assistance, guidance, and interpretation regarding asbestos related matters.
Summary of Asbestos Management Program
The Cornell University Asbestos Management Program has been established to meet the requirements of The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Industry Standard Part 1910.1001 , 12 NYCRR Part 56, and Cornell University's Asbestos Policy Statement: The University is dedicated to providing a safe and healthful work environment for its employees, students, faculty and visitors. In recognition of the potential health problems associated with asbestos, the University is committed to an asbestos control program. This program is implemented and maintained through the University's Office of Environmental Health and Safety who have the responsibility for establishing procedures for asbestos abatement. These procedures are developed to ensure:
Definitions
1.0 See 12 NYCRR Part 56, 1.4.
Asbestos Management Program
1.0 General
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) develops, implements and manages safety and health programs for Cornell University faculty, staff and students. The control of safety and health hazards at the University is primarily through the implementation of engineering, work practice and administrative controls. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used to supplement these controls or whenever the controls are not feasible or are in the process of being implemented. PPE is also recommended whenever exposures to chemical, physical or biological agents can be prevented or reduced by its use. This written program establishes the procedures and requirements necessary to meet established standards and federal regulations for occupational exposure to asbestos fibers, to meet the requirements of Industrial Code Rule 56 which encompasses the disturbance and/or abatement of asbestos containing building materials, and to provide the necessary health and safety protection to Cornell University staff, faculty, students and visitors. Requirements outlined in this manual are mandatory in nature where the word "SHALL" is used and are advisory in nature where the word "SHOULD" is used.
Summary of Program Execution
1.1 Asbestos Management Program Execution
The Asbestos Management Program is administered by the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). EH&S provides exposure monitoring services, building inspection/surveys (bulk sampling) for the identification of asbestos containing materials, asbestos project design services, asbestos abatement project and air monitoring services, emergency response to fiber release episodes, education/information and training for Cornell University personnel.
Responsibilities
- Assuring the health and safety of employees, students and visitors in the Cornell University facilities under his/her control.
- Being kept informed of all areas under his or her jurisdiction where potential asbestos exposures exist and initiating protection programs that adhere to the Asbestos Management Program requirements of this manual.
- Assuring that Asbestos Management Program requirements for principal investigators, project managers, supervisors, or division heads, and University personnel under their supervision are adhered to.
- Ensuring that all employees within the Asbestos Management Program (OSHA 1910.1001 (j) (iv)) attend the required annual training.
- Ensure the posting of warning labels/signage where required.
- Identifying, with the assistance of EH&S, asbestos containing building materials prior to any disturbance of these materials. This shall be accomplished by following the Asbestos Management Program Procedures 1 (Oct. 11, 1994). See Appendix A.
- Ensuring that the requirements of the Asbestos Management Program Procedures 1 are followed by all personnel, trades, and contractors who are involved with the project.
- All project related duties as outlined in the Project Manager Responsibilities2 (Aug. 24, 1994). See Appendix A.
- Keeping the department chairperson or director informed of any actions proposed or taken regarding the Asbestos Management Program.
- Ensuring that no suspect or asbestos containing building materials are disturbed in the course of their duties or work they are performing. This should be accomplished by notifying their supervisor or EH&S and verifying that the materials which may be disturbed are non-asbestos containing. If this information is not available or verification has not been made, these materials should not be disturbed. Asbestos Management Program Procedures 1 should be initiated.
- Employees should immediately notify EH&S and their supervisor in the event of a fiber release episode or upon discovery of visible damage to asbestos containing materials.
- All employees involved in housekeeping activities shall attend annual Asbestos Awareness training program.
2.0 Department Chairperson or Director
The department chairperson or unit director is responsible for:
2.1 Supervisor or Project Manager
Each person in charge of a research project, maintenance/repair, renovation/demolition, or other activity where asbestos containing materials may be present is responsible for:
2.2 Employee - Maintenance & Custodial
Any Cornell University maintenance or custodial employee, is responsible for:
2.3 Department of Environmental Health & Safety
EH&S is responsible for performing the following functions:
a) Development and administration of the Asbestos Management Program.
b) Providing asbestos related services to Cornell University (Ithaca Campus) departments.
c) Conducting required annual training of the Asbestos Management Program and working jointly with departments to schedule training.
d) Identify and posting areas where labeling/signage is required.
e) Medical Monitoring of EH&S Asbestos Program staff.
f) Certification and training for EH&S Asbestos Program staff.
g) Record keeping.
Requirements
- health effects of asbestos
- locations of ACM and PACM in the building/facility
- recognition of ACM and PACM damage and deterioration
- requirements of the OSHA 1910.1001 standard relating to housekeeping
- proper response to fiber release episodes
3.0 Employee Exposure Monitoring
When information indicates that any employee's exposure to asbestos fibers may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 0.1 f/cc, EH&S shall develop and implement an asbestos exposure monitoring program. The sampling strategy shall be designed to identify employees by work task (job classification) who are exposed to asbestos fibers that exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 0.1 f/cc.
3.1 Employee Notification
EH&S shall notify in writing, each employee exposed to asbestos fibers at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 0.1 f/cc.
3.2 Observation of Monitoring
EH&S shall provide affected employees or their representatives with an opportunity to observe any exposure measurements conducted.
3.3 Training Program
EH&S shall institute a training program which meets the requirements of 1910.1001 (j) for all employees who perform housekeeping operations in a facility which contains asbestos containing materials or presumed asbestos containing materials, and the affected departments shall ensure employee participation in this program. The training shall be conducted annually for each employee included in the asbestos management program. The asbestos awareness training program shall include:
3.4 Access to Information
EH&S shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Industry Standard Part 1910.1001 and the department shall post a copy in the workplace.
3.5 Record keeping
EH&S shall maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements. EH&S shall maintain records of employee medical monitoring program. EH&S shall maintain all employee training records. All records shall be provided upon request to employees, former employees, representatives designated by the individual employee, and the Assistant Secretary.