PHYSICAL PLANT SAFETY MANUAL

Safety Manual
1st Page

Introduction to Safety

General Work Habits

Clothing & Personal Protective Equipment

Work Area Houskeeping

Asbestos

Hand & Power Tools

Equipment & Machinery

Tag-Out Procedure

Fire Protection

Welding

Compressed Gas Cylinders

Electrical

Construction

Ladders & Scaffolding

Back Safety

Lifting

Vehicle Safety

Work Area Safety Awareness

Emergency Procedures

Off-the-Job Safety

Safety Equipment

Employee Statement

Updated July 2002

Asbestos Awareness

Asbestos is the name applied to six naturally occurring minerals that are mined from the earth.   They tend to break into very tiny fibers so small that many must be identified using a microscope.  They are so small that once they are released into the air, they may stay suspended for hours or even days. 

All removal and abatement of asbestos is conducted according to rules and regulations set forth by the Oklahoma State Department of Labor.  These regulations require that only asbestos workers, licensed by the state, are permitted to remove asbestos.  Never try to take a sample yourself.

Asbestos is abated only when required for renovation, remodeling or maintenance.  Not every pipe and ceiling tile contains asbestos, but whether it does or not cannot be determined at a glance.  Every sample is positive until proven otherwise.

At OSU, asbestos is most likely to be found in:

• Sprayed-on insulation in mechanical rooms, on steel reinforcing beams, and some ceilings in older buildings
• Ceiling tiles in buildings built prior to 1981.
• Most 9” and a few 12” floor tiles in buildings built prior to 1981 as well as the glue or mastic
• Insulation around pipes and boilers
• Interiors of fire doors

Buildings that have asbestos-containing materials in them will have notices posted near the main entrances, frequently near the fire alarm panel.

Pipe and boiler insulation that contains asbestos will be labeled with identifying stickers and placards.

Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles will not be labeled or marked.  These tiles cannot be differentiated from other tile by visual means--they must be analyzed by a laboratory test.

When is it dangerous?

The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing.  In fact, asbestos-containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested.  Many of the fibers will become trapped in the membranes of the nose and throat where they can be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract.  Once they are trapped in the body, the fibers can cause health problems.   Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not occur until 20 or 40 years after exposure.

Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, floor tiles, undamaged laboratory cabinet tops, shingles, fire doors, siding shingles, etc. will not release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or damaged in some way.  If an asbestos ceiling tile is drilled or broken, for example, it may release fibers into the air.  If it is left alone and not disturbed, it will not.

Asbestos pipe and boiler insulation is not hazardous unless the protective canvas covering is cut or damaged and the asbestos underneath is actually exposed to the air.

Water damage, constant vibration, aging and such physical acts as drilling, grinding, buffing, cutting, sawing or striking can break the materials down making it more likely that asbestos fibers will be released.

The EHS Asbestos Abatement Department has surveyed all campus buildings for the presence of asbestos.  If you need to do work that might involve asbestos (lifting ceiling tiles, repairing insulated pipelines, etc.), check with EHS to find out what can be done safely.   Proceed with your work only when given the “all-clear.”

Housekeeping

Housekeepers and custodians should never sand or dry-buff asbestos-containing floor tiles, and only wet stripping methods may be used during stripping operations.  Low abrasion pads should be used at speeds below 300 rpm.

Broken and fallen ceiling tiles should be left in place until identified.  Only after they have been identified as safe may they be removed.  Asbestos abatement workers will remove asbestos tiles.

Asbestos workers must also be the ones to remove broken and damaged asbestos floor tiles.   Report any suspect broken tiles to EHS at x4-7241.

If you are ever accidentally exposed to asbestos, you must file an Employee Exposure Report form within 24 hours (or as soon as possible) with the Environmental Health & Safety Department.

It is important to report any damaged asbestos-containing materials to OSU EHS at x47241 immediately.  Do not attempt to clean up spills yourself.