AIR SAMPLING ANALYSIS

Neha Patel Associate Professor Civil Engineering Department B.V.M.Engineering College

DEFINITION OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

That science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in from the workplace, which may cause sickness, impaired health and well being, or significant discomfort among workers or among the citizens of the community.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL HYGINIST ( GENERAL)

To protect the health of employees To maintain an objective attitude toward the recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards regardless of external influences, realizing the health and welfare of workers and others may depend upon the industrial hygienist's professional judgments and To counsel employee's regarding the health hazards and necessary precaution to avoid adverse health effects.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL HYGINIST ( EMPLOYERS)

To respect confidences, advise honestly and report findings and recommendations accurately. To act responsibly in the application of industrial hygiene principles toward the attainment of healthful working environments To hold responsibilities to the employer or client subservient to the ultimate responsibility to protect the health of employees.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS

Conditions that cause legally compensable illness or it may mean Any conditions in the workplace that impair the health of employees enough to make them lose time from work or to cause significant discomfort.

ASBESTOS REGULATION

29 CFR 1910l001 give information regarding

Limiting asbestos exposures to 0.2 fibers per cu.cm/ of air over an 8- hr workday, Work practices, engineering controls, air monitoring, medical monitoring and employee education. OSHA standards applies to the construction industries and other industries engaged in the handling or removal of asbestos used in building materials ( including insulation).

A SUMMARY OF 29CFR 1926.58 AS AMENDED JUNE20,1986 ASBESTOS

Construction work is defined to include

Removal or encapsulation of asbestos material Construction, alteration, repair, maintenance or removal of structures that contain asbestos Emergency cleanup of asbestos material Transportation, disposal and storage of containers of asbestos on the site or location where construction activities are performed.

A SUMMARY OF 29CFR 1926.58 AS AMENDED JUNE20,1986 ASBESTOS

The 8 hr time weighted average (TWA)J PEL is 0.2 f/cc At multiemployer work sites, the employer performing asbestos shall notify other employers of the work and the requirements pertaining to regulated areas( exposure) of asbestos. Except for small scale , short term duration operations, jobs requiring <1 hr to complete), negative pressure enclosures shall be established , where feasible, for removal , demolition, or renovation operations. A competent person shall supervise the entire operation to assure that the requirements of standards are met.

A SUMMARY OF 29CFR 1926.58 AS AMENDED JUNE20,1986 ASBESTOS

Initital employee exposure monitoring shall be performed at the beginning of each asbestos jo with two exceptions:
When the employer has demonstrated that employee exposure will not exceed the action level ( 0.1 f/cc) or When the employer has performed exposure monitoring shall be performed each day of the job for each employee in the enclosure except when the employees are using supplied air, positive pressure respirators. Engineering controls of employee exposure include HEPAfiltered exhaust ventilation systems, HEPA- filtered vaccum cleaners, wetting methods, prohibition of high speed saws and compressed air, and other generally rc cognized methods. These controls shall be used as feasible, to reduce employee exposure to the lowest attainable levels.

A SUMMARY OF 29CFR 1926.58 AS AMENDED JUNE20,1986 ASBESTOS

Only high efficiency air purifying respirators or those offering greater protection may be used against asbestos. At concentration less than 2.0 f/cc., half- facepiece air purifying respirator with high efficiency filters may be used. At concentration less than 2.0 f/cc., full- face piece air purifying respirator with high efficiency filters may be used. Powered air purifying respirators and supplied air respirators are specified for higher concentrations. Semi annual fit testing is required for employees using negative pressure

A SUMMARY OF 29CFR 1926.58 AS AMENDED JUNE20,1986 ASBESTOS

Full body protective clothing is required for employees exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos greater than 0.2 f/cc. the preamble states that this full body clothing is required, regardless of high temperatures and prohibits employees taking contaminated clothing home. Clean areas for changing out of protective clothing are required except when employees are performing small scale short duration operation when employees are required to vacuum their clothing wirh HEPA- filtered vaccum cleaners prior to leaving work area/ A decontamination area shall be established for removal demolition, or renovation operations. This area shall consists of :

An equipment room for removing protective clothing ( but not respirators) A shower where respirators may be removed A clean change room/

A SUMMARY OF 29CFR 1926.58 AS AMENDED JUNE20,1986 ASBESTOS

Work area enclosures shall be posted with warning signs. Containers of asbestos waste shall be labeled with warning signs. Employees shall be trained prior to their initial assignment to an asbestos job and at lest annually. When vacuum cleaners are used, they shall be HEPAfiltered . All waste shall be disposed of in sealed, labeled, impermeable containers or bags. A medical surveillance program shall be offered to employees who are

(1) exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos above the action level for more than 30 days per year (2) who are required by this standard to use negative pressure respirators.

A SUMMARY OF 29CFR 1926.58 AS AMENDED JUNE20,1986 ASBESTOS

The physician shall provide the employer with as written opinion stating Whether any conditions were found that would place the employee at increased risk of material health impairment from exposure to asbestos Recommendation of limitations on the employees use of personal protection equipment That the employee has been informed of these results.