asbestos
we've all heard a lot about but what exactly is asbestos
asbestos is amenable with some unusual characteristics
asbestos has so many positive qualities that some people call it a miracle
material
is fireproof
heat resistant lightweight
resistant to most chemicals
bacteria resistant
sound absorbing and it doesn't conduct electricity
products that contain asbestos can be very helpful but they can also be very
harmful
asbestos has hidden dangers that you need to know about
while most rocks breakdown of the tiny particles like grains of sand
asbestos breaks down into small fibers
strands of rope
these fibers can be so small
that they're invisible to the human i'd
in fact you would need a very powerful microscope to see them
but even though asbestos fibers are tiny
they have the strength of steel
one of the problems and dealing with asbestos fibers is that you can't see
them
taste and or smell them
but they are they're and if the fibers that are your body they can cause severe
damage
before the dangers of asbestos were fully known asbestos was used throughout
the building and construction industry
it was mixed in the plaster and wall board for strength and support
sprayed on the walls ceilings and steel girders for fire proofing wrapped around
pipes boilers heating ducts and other utility systems for insulation
you can't even find asbestos in florence ceiling time
so if you're a member of the custodial engineering or maintenance staff
you need to know about the hazards of working around asbestos
in fact the hazards of asbestos fibers are so serious
that the occupational safety and health administration closure has issued a
standard to train monitor and protect workers who could be exposed to s best
is on the job for as a part of this training you'll learn the health effects
and risks of long-term asbestos exposure
how to recognize and deal with possible asbestos hazards
considering how dangerous asbestos is
and the fact that we may come in contact with it in many ways how can we limit
our exposure
you should know where asbestos is located in your workplace
then you need to keep track of the condition of all asbestos materials you
encounter
and finally remember not to disturb materials that may contain asbestos
unless absolutely necessary and then only if you have the proper training and
equipment
let's take a closer look at the first step nowhere asbestos is in your
workplace
remember asbestos has been used in many different kinds of building materials
thermal system insulation has been the most common use in buildings built
before nineteen eighty the heating system boiler utility pipes and ductwork
may be covered with insulation the contains asbestos
asbestos can also be found above some drop ceilings inspiration one sound
proofing and fire proofing materials
some types of composite materials such as plastered wall board impaneling
contain asbestos fibers because they add strength but they're still lightweight
asbestos can also be found in some types of floor tiles and ceiling tiles
installed before nineteen eighty
your facility has an asbestos management plan that lists of the locations of
materials that contain asbestos this is the first place you should look for this
kind of information
you should also see warnings signs posted wherever asbestos is present if
you don't see warnings were you suspect there is as best as talk to your
supervisor
if an area is posted as restricted
do not answer unless you are authorized and i have the proper safety equipment
if you ignore these warnings you could expose yourself to dean drew some ounce
of especially its