Asbestos Awareness Training

 

Asbestos awareness training is important for maintaining a safe work environment. Knowing what types of materials contain asbestos and where these potentially hazardous products are typically located can help prevent exposure to yourself and others. Learn the basics about asbestos through asbestos awareness training and how you can avoid being exposed.

The purpose of asbestos awareness training is to provide employees with a basic understanding of asbestos, its hazards, and the ability to identify typical asbestos-containing materials found in the workplace. Knowing where it is found can help employees avoid exposure to this toxic substance.

Asbestos Awareness Training – What is asbestos and what products are made with it?

Asbestos is a group of minerals that are fibrous mineral forms of impure magnesium silicate. They are found in fireproofing products, electrical insulation, cement, building materials, roof shingles, ceiling plaster, brake linings, chemical filters, and other industrial products. Tiny asbestos fibers can become airborne (float in the air), especially during the manufacturing of products containing asbestos. These airborne particles can then be inhaled, causing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. When products containing these deadly fibers are found it is the job of asbestos abatement contractors to remove or contain them.

Asbestos awareness training is important because asbestos is present in many buildings as well as homes and schools. In the workplace asbestos will most commonly be found as sprayed-on insulation above ceilings and on steel beams, in ceiling tiles and floor tiles manufactured prior to 1981, and in insulation surrounding pipes and ducts. As far as floor tiles are concerned most 9-inch tiles and some 12-inch tiles will contain asbestos if they were manufactured prior to 1981. If you want to be able to recognize asbestos products, asbestos awareness training is the way to become proficient.

Asbestos Awareness Training – How can you determine if asbestos is a hazard in your building?

If a building has asbestos-containing materials a notice will be posted near any main entrance alerting everyone to its presence. Additionally, if asbestos-containing-insulation exists a label or sticker will be placed accordingly to identify the potential danger. Asbestos awareness training will teach you these things and more.

Asbestos Awareness Training – How Can You Avoid Asbestos Exposure?

To prevent exposure you must first be aware of its likely locations. This is learned through asbestos awareness training. If you are unsure as to whether or not a material contains asbestos you should presume that it does until otherwise verified. You cannot tell if ceiling tiles, floor tiles, sprayed-on acoustical ceilings, insulation, or other materials contain asbestos simply by looking at them. The only way to determine with certainty if a material contains asbestos is to have asbestos removal companies or the Environmental Health and Safety Department take samples and examine them in a laboratory. Never take your own sample as it can cause fibers to become airborne and subject you to exposure.

Asbestos awareness training will teach you that if a material is labeled as containing asbestos or you suspect that it could possibly contain asbestos, such as 9-inch floor tiles or acoustic ceiling tiles, you should leave it alone. Never disturb, move, cut, hammer, saw, break, or damage any material that you suspect may contain this toxic substance.

If you are required to move, repair, or replace ceiling tiles or floor tiles, or repair insulation surrounding pipes, you should first check with the Environmental Health and Safety Department before doing any work. This includes moving ceiling tiles to perform any type of maintenance work. Before performing any work you should first determine if the material contains asbestos. Once you have determined the materials are safe the work can then be done. However, if asbestos is found it must be removed by licensed professionals before any work is performed. Without asbestos awareness training you may not be able to recognize dangerous materials, which can put your life at risk.

If any asbestos-containing materials are discovered they should be reported to the Environmental Health and Safety Department. Do not attempt to clean up any damaged materials such as broken ceiling tiles, floor tiles, or knocked-off sprayed-on ceiling insulation before you have determined they are free from asbestos. If you should come across potentially hazardous material take measures to prevent others from coming into contact with the material or disturbing it until an asbestos abatement team can clean it up. Knowing what products contain asbestos and where they are located can help you prevent exposure to yourself and others, which is learned through asbestos awareness training.

Asbestos Awareness Training – How Asbestos Causes Lung Disease: