17:00 - 19:30, 2.5 hours, International Conference Hall
Plenary Session 6
Identification, Management and Removal of Existing Asbestos
Chairs: Shigeharu Nakachi and Anders Englund
 |
Andy Oberta
Environmental Consultant, Environmental Consultancy, the U.S.A.
ABSTRACT
The ASTM Standard Practice for Maintenance, Renovation and Repair of Installed Asbestos Cement Products is being developed by ASTM International, the world's largest producer of voluntary consensus standards (www.astm.org). The standard provides the underlying rationale and detailed procedures for working with asbestos-cement products ・roofing, siding, ducts, pipes and other construction materials ・that have already been installed in buildings. It covers operations that can produce dust and airborne asbestos fibers ・drilling, cutting, breaking, filing, etc. ・during routine maintenance, repairs and small-scale renovation. Control of dust and fiber release using wet methods ・soapy water, shaving cream and similar substances ・is stressed. Four appendices cover underground pipes, buried ducts, drilling holes and removing panels, and additional appendices will be prepared to cover other operations and materials. Installation of new asbestos-cement products is not enco! uraged by the standard. Large-scale abatement is not the intended purpose, although some of the procedures may apply to such operations.The procedures are intended for use in developing as well as industrialized countries; therefore, the use of hand tools and easily-obtained equipment and supplies is emphasized. The use of power tools is discouraged to minimize the possibility of creating airborne fiber levels that would require wearing respiratory protection.The standard is intended for use by supervisors and managers responsible for construction and maintenance as well as by government agencies and NGOs responsible for worker and community health programs. The standard offers useful guidance for countries in the process of developing their asbestos laws and regulations. ASTM International intends to provide training on the use of this standard in countries where it will be used through arrangements with standards organizations in those countries.
(Mr. Oberta is Chairman of the Task Group on Asbestos Management of ASTM International)