OSHA Asbestos Training
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the federal agency that sets safety and health standards in the workplace, including standards for asbestos safety. It was established by The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
The majority of employers in the United States are subject to OSHA's regulations, and if its standards are violated, the agency has the right to intervene.
OSHA requires safety awareness training regarding asbestos in general industry, the construction industry and the maritime industry. Employers must supply documentation of this training to OSHA upon request.
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General Industry Workers
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Employers in all industries are required to observe certain standards. They are required to train all employees who work in areas where asbestos is present above the permissible limit.
This training must be given at the time of the initial work assignment. It covers many topics, including the potential health effects of asbestos, and particularly its relationship with smoking and lung cancer. Employees are trained to release, use and store asbestos properly.
Specific safety procedures are taught, as well as issues surrounding protective clothing and respirators. All the requirements of this particular OSHA standard are explained to participants.
Refresher courses for these employees must be supplied annually.
Housekeeping Staff
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In addition, employers in every industry are required to train housekeeping staff who work in areas where asbestos is present. They must be trained to the hazards of asbestos, safety procedures and OSHA requirements.
Staff receive training on how to recognize deterioration and damage in materials that contain asbestos, as well as the appropriate response to the release of asbestos fibers. In addition, they must be told where at the work site the asbestos is located. Housekeepers must also receive follow-up training annually.
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Construction Workers
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Employers in the construction industry are subject to specific requirements. Like employees in general industry, the workers must be trained at the time of their initial assignment.
Standards for this industry training surpass training for general industry in the topics it covers. These standards apply to staff who are exposed to airborne asbestos above a certain safe level. Among the additional topics are decontamination and emergency procedures, engineering controls, waste disposal, and procedures to minimize exposure.
Training on hazards specific to the industry are included, such as engineering controls and the signage required for the work site. The medical surveillance program required by OSHA for these workers is explained to all participants.
Refresher training must be provided annually.
Shipbuilding Workers
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There are also specific regulations for asbestos training for shipbuilding workers. This training, too, must be supplied at initial work assignment, with follow-up classes annually.
There are four categories of asbestos safety training specific to this industry, applying to workers who perform Class I through IV asbestos operations.
For Class I workers and some Class II workers, the training follows the guidelines the Environmental Protection Agency has set for asbestos abatement workers. Different standards, specific to OSHA, apply to other Class II workers.
Training for Class III employees and Class IV employees is determined by two standards the EPA has set for maintenance and custodial staff in schools.
Additional training is required for supervisors.
Training: OSHA programs
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OSHA has several programs that provide the training. The most important is The OSHA Training Institute. It partners with 43 schools across the country to provide OSHA training through its Education Center program.
There are OSHA Outreach Trainers across the US, and many will provide on-site training.
OSHA's On-Site Consultation Service is a free service offered to small- and medium-sized businesses. It offers free training at the workplace.
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