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Historic Preservation - Technical Procedures

Spectitle:
Guidelines For Reducing Air Concentrations Of Asbestos During Abatement Work

Procedure code:
0208001S

Source:
Federal Building, Wausau, Wi - Gsa - Chicago, Il

Division:
Sitework

Section:
Hazardous Material Abatement

Last Modified:
02/24/2012

Details:
Guidelines For Reducing Air Concentrations Of Asbestos During Abatement Work



GUIDELINES FOR REDUCING AIR CONCENTRATIONS OF ASBESTOS DURING
ABATEMENT WORK


PART 1---GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

    A.   This procedure includes guidance on work necessary to
         reduce air concentrations of asbestos to the specified
         level and maintain the specified asbestos control limits.
         See also 02080-01-R for general asbestos abatement
         procedures.  For specific guidance in removing vinyl
         asbestos tile or asbestos-containing light ballasts, see
         02080-02-R and 02080-03-R respectively.
         
    B.   See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be
         reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines
         cover the following sections:

         1.   Safety Precautions

         2.   Historic Structures Precautions

         3.   Submittals

         4.   Quality Assurance

         5.   Delivery, Storage and Handling

         6.   Project/Site Conditions

         7.   Sequencing and Scheduling

         8.   General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)

         These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing
         this procedure and should be followed, when applicable,
         along with recommendations from the Regional Historic
         Preservation Officer (RHPO).  

1.02 REFERENCES

    A.   American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI), 1430
         Broadway, New York, NY  10018.

         1.   Z9.2-79 Fundamentals Governing the Design and
              Operation of Local Exhaust Systems.

    B.   American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), 100
         Barr Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, (610) 832-9585
         or FAX (610) 832-9555.

         1.   E 849-82 Safety and Health Requirements relating to
              Occupational Exposure to Asbestos.

    C.   Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):(Available from the
         Government Printing Office), North Capitol Street between
         G and H Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20402.

         1.   29 CFR 1910.100, Occupational Safety and Health Act
              (OSHA).

         2.   29 CFR 1910.20, Subpart C, General Safety and
              Health Provisions.

         3.   29 CFR 1910.134, OSHA Respirator Requirements.

         4.   CFR, Parts 230 and 231, Appendix B and C,
              Procedures for Containing and Removing Building
              Materials Containing Asbestos: Federal Register,
              Volume 45, No. 182, Page 61961, September 17, 1980.

         5.   40 CFR 61, Subparts A, B and M: U.S. Environmental
              Protection Agency Regulations for Asbestos.

         6.   40 CFR 260-265: U.S. Environmental Protection
              Agency Regulations implementing the Resource
              Conservation and Recovery Act.

         7.   State and Local Regulations: The Contractor shall
              conform to all State and local regulations. If
              there is a conflict between regulations (Federal,
              State or local), the most stringent requirement
              shall apply.

1.03 SUBMITTALS

    A.   Submit prior to beginning work. Do not commence work
         until the following have been approved.

    B.   Plan of Action: Submit a detailed plan of the procedures
         proposed for use in complying with the regulations
         included in this specification. The plan shall include
         the location and layout of decontamination areas, the
         sequencing of asbestos work, the interface of trades
         involved in the performance of work, methods to be used
         to assure the safety of building occupants and visitors
         to the site, disposal plan including location of approved
         disposal site, and a detailed description of the methods
         to be employed to control pollution. Expand upon the use
         of portable HEPA ventilation system, closing out of the
         building s HVAC system, method of removal to prohibit
         visible emissions in work area, and packaging of removed
         asbestos debris. The plan must be approved by the
         Contracting Officer prior to commencement of work.

    C.   Contractor Qualification Information: Approval by the
         Contracting Officer is required of the following
         submittals, which shall be submitted immediately after
         award of contract:

         1.   Name and location of at least 5 asbestos abatement
              projects performed by the Contractor, including
              name and telephone number of contract
              representative. Include the dollar value of the
              abatement contract, the number of abatement workers
              used and the type of work performed.

         2.   Copy of daily log and air monitoring reports
              including final decontamination levels of last five
              abatement projects.

         3.   Name of and experience record of superintendent and
              foreperson. Include evidence of knowledge of
              applicable regulations; evidence of participation
              and successful completion of EPA-approved training
              course in asbestos removal and/or supervision of
              asbestos related work; and experience with asbestos
              related work in a supervisory position as evidenced
              through supervision of at least two asbestos
              abatement contracts.

         4.   Name and experience record of workers who will be
              assigned to this project. Include for each person
              the location of last two abatement projects, and
              evidence of successful completion of in-house
              training given qualified superintendent or
              foreperson, or its equivalent.  Provide copy of in-
              house training course outline and attendance record
              for all employees who will be working on the
              project.

         5.   If the State or municipality in which the work is
              to take place requires a certification or license,
              provide copy.

    D.   Laboratory Qualification Information:

         1.   Submit proof of qualifications of testing
              laboratory and personnel. Accreditation by the
              American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for
              asbestos work; and certification that person
              analyzing the samples have been judged proficient
              by successful participation in the National
              Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
              (NIOSH) Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT)
              Program, shall be considered sufficient proof of
              compliance. Submittal must be approved by the
              Contracting Officer prior to beginning any testing.

         2.   Testing laboratory shall be a firm separate from
              the abatement contractor. Use of abatement
              contractor personnel to conduct air sampling and
              monitoring work will not be acceptable.

    E.   Certificates of Compliance: Submit certification that
         vacuums, ventilation equipment, and other equipment
         required to contain airborne asbestos fibers conform to
         ANSI Z9.2.

1.04 QUALITY ASSURANCE

    A.   Contractor Qualifications: The Contractor shall be a firm
         of established reputation (or if newly organized, whose
         personnel have previously established a reputation in the
         same field), which is regularly engaged in, and which
         maintains a regular force of workers skilled in asbestos
         abatement, one of which will be an independent
         professional Industrial Hygienist (CIH Ref. PBS P
         50900.2C Ch. 4 Par. 69) who has performed asbestos
         abatement on previous projects, and who will be
         responsible for supervising inspections, reports,
         monitoring daily logs that meet regulatory requirements,
         and will be required to follow the requirements of this
         specification. See  Submittals  paragraph for information
         which must be submitted and approved.

    B.   Contractor Responsibility: The Contractor shall assume
         full responsibility and liability for compliance with all
         applicable Federal, State, and local regulations
         pertaining to the protection of workers, visitors to the
         site, and persons occupying areas adjacent to the site.
         The Contractor is responsible for providing medical
         examinations and maintaining medical records of personnel
         as required by the applicable Federal, State, and local
         regulations, and shall hold the government harmless for
         failure to comply with any applicable safety or health
         regulation on the part of Contractor, Contractor s
         employees, or subcontractors.

    C.   Laboratory Qualifications: Laboratory shall be regularly
         engaged in asbestos testing, and personnel used for
         monitoring airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers
         shall be proficient in this field. See  Submittals
         paragraph for information which must be submitted and
         approved.

    D.   Asbestos Control Limits:

         1.   Inside Asbestos Work Area: Air concentrations of
              asbestos shall not exceed an 8-hour time weighted
              average of 0.2 fibers (longer than 5 microns), per
              cubic centimeter of air and shall not exceed at any
              time the ceiling level of 10 fibers (longer than 5
              micrometers) per cubic centimeter of air. See 29
              CFR 1910.1001. See evaluation regarding above
              article.

         2.   Outside Asbestos Work Area: Air concentrations of
              asbestos shall be maintained at 8-hour time
              weighted average below 0.01 fibers (longer than 5
              microns) per cubic centimeter of air. This applies
              to all areas in the building while work is in
              progress except for the asbestos work area, and to
              the entire building including the former work area,
              after final clean-up.

    E.   Field Quality Control Monitoring:

         1.   Monitoring of airborne concentrations of asbestos
              shall be in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1001 and
              ASTM E 849. Monitor the airborne concentration of
              asbestos before starting work to obtain a baseline
              fiber concentration in the affected areas. Then
              monitor once every four hours, continuously during
              the course of the work inside the asbestos work
              area, outside the entrance to the asbestos work
              area and at the exhaust opening of the local
              exhaust system. If monitoring show airborne
              concentrations greater than the asbestos control
              limits, stop all work, correct the conditions
              causing the excessive levels, and notify the
              Contracting Officer immediately. In addition,
              monitor the airborne concentrations of asbestos
              after final clean-up and removal of the enclosure
              of the asbestos control area in accordance with
              paragraph  Field Clean-up and Removal of
              Enclosures.

    F.   Field Quality Control Site Inspection: While performing
         asbestos abatement work, the contractor shall be subject
         to on-site inspection by agency officials. Work shall
         also be subject to inspection by OSHA and EPA inspectors
         and/or local building or health officials. If found to be
         in violation of 29 CFR 1910.1001, the Contractor shall
         cease all work immediately and until the violation is
         resolved. Standby time required to resolve the violation
         shall be at the Contractor s expense. One complete set of
         equipment (such as respirators and disposable clothing)
         required for entry to the asbestos control area shall be
         made available within 2 hours of request by the
         Contracting for inspection of the asbestos control area.
         Such requests will only be made during working hours.

1.05 PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS

    A.   Means of Egress: Establish and maintain emergency and
         fire exits from the work area.

    B.   Use of Existing Facilities:

         1.   The use of showers, toilets and/or similar
              facilities for decontamination areas is strictly
              prohibited.

         2.   The use of existing facilities shall be coordinated
              with the Director of Facilities with reference to
              maintaining normal building work schedules.

1.07 SEQUENCING AND SCHEDULING

    A.   Coordinate the work of all trades to assure that their
         work is performed in accordance with the applicable
         regulations and that the asbestos control limits are
         maintained at all times both inside and outside the
         asbestos work area.

PART 2---PRODUCTS

2.01 EQUIPMENT

    A.   Equipment, including protective clothing and respirators,
         used in the execution of this contract and provided to
         visitors to the site, shall comply with ASTM E 849 and
         with the applicable Federal, State, and local
         regulations. Respirators shall conform to the OSHA
         requirements in 29 CFR 1910.134. Use supplied air type
         (type  C ) units during actual removal operations.


PART 3---EXECUTION

3.01 PREPARATION

    A.   General:

         1.   Isolate the work area for the duration of the work
              by completely sealing off all openings and fixtures
              in the work area, including but not limited to,
              heating and ventilation ducts, doorways, corridors,
              windows, and lighting with plastic sheeting taped
              securely in place.

         2.   Build double barriers of plastic sheeting at all
              entrances and exits to the work area so that the
              work area is always closed off by one barrier when
              workers enter or exit.

    B.   Protection:

         1.   Cover all floors and wall surfaces in the work area
              with plastic sheeting taped securely in place to
              protect from damage.

         2.   Before the work is begun, clean all removable items
              and equipment. Remove them from the work area and
              store as directed.

         3.   Cover all nonremovable items and equipment in the
              work area with plastic sheeting taped securely in
              place.

         4.   Remove all heating, ventilation, and air-
              conditioning system filters, pack them in sealable
              plastic bags (6-mil minimum) for disposal in the
              approved waste disposal site and replace them with
              new filters.

    E.   Post warning signs and labels as required by 29 CFR
         1910.1001, ASTM E 849, and as directed by the Contracting
         Officer.

3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

    A.   General Procedures: Perform all asbestos related work and
         comply with the general safety and health provisions in
         conformance with 29 CFR 1910.1001 and 29 CFR 1910.20,
         respectively. For asbestos abatement work, use general
         work practices, work practices for removal, and work
         practices for encapsulation as specified in 34 CFR Part
         231, Appendix C, ASTM E 849, and other appropriate work
         procedures approved by the Environmental Protection
         Agency (EPA).

    B.   Local Exhaust System: Provide a local exhaust system in
         the asbestos control area as required to meet the
         asbestos control limit and ceiling concentration. The
         local exhaust system shall be in accordance with ANSI
         Z9.2, using High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)
         filters. Equip exhaust openings with the necessary
         filters required to reduce the airborne asbestos
         concentration to below the asbestos control limit. Local
         exhaust equipment must be sufficient to maintain a
         negative air pressure in the asbestos control area. In no
         case shall the building ventilation system be used as the
         local exhaust system for the asbestos control limit.
         Filtering in vacuums and exhaust equipment shall conform
         to ANSI Z9.2.

    C.   Clean-up and Disposal:

         1.   Permits and Notifications: Secure necessary permits
              in conjunction with asbestos removal, hauling and
              disposition and provide timely notification of such
              actions, as may be required by Federal, State,
              regional and local authorities. Notify the Regional
              Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
              and provide copies of the notification to the
              Contracting Officer twenty (20) days prior to the
              commencement of the work. Provide notification in
              accordance with 40 CFR 61.22(d)(1).

         2.   Housekeeping: Essential parts of an asbestos dust
              control are housekeeping and cleanup procedures.
              Maintain all surfaces throughout the area free of
              accumulations of asbestos fibers to prevent further
              dispersion. Give meticulous attention to
              restricting the spread of dust and debris, keep
              waste from being distributed over the general area
              or to lower floors. Use approved industrial vacuum
              cleaners with a HEPA filter to collect dust and
              small scraps. The blowing down of the space with
              compressed air is forbidden. Post appropriate
              asbestos hazard warning signs. In all possible
              instances workers shall clean up their own areas.
              Equip personnel engaged in cleaning up asbestos
              scraps and waste with necessary respiratory
              equipment and protective clothing. When cleanup is
              completed, monitor the asbestos airborne
              concentration of the areas as specified herein and
              certify the area as safe before the signs are
              removed. Notify the Contracting Officer before
              unrestricted entry is permitted. The Government
              shall have the option to perform monitoring to
              certify the areas are safe before entry is
              permitted.

         3.   Disposal of Friable Asbestos: Collect and dispose
              of friable asbestos waste, scraps, debris, bags,
              containers, equipment and asbestos-contaminated
              clothing which may produce airborne concentrations
              of asbestos fibers in sealed impermeable bags.
              Prior to placing in bags, or containers, wet down
              asbestos wastes to reduce airborne concentrations.
              Waste asbestos material shall be disposed of in
              accordance with all Federal regulations at a
              sanitary landfill that meets EPA requirements.
              Establish a temporary holding area approved by the
              Contracting Officer for properly packaged asbestos
              waste.

         4.   Final Cleanup and Removal of Enclosure: The
              Contracting Officer or designated representative
              will inspect the work area prior to decontamination
              and removal of enclosure. Visual observation of
              asbestos materials, dust or debris is not permitted
              on any surface in or around the work area. Clean
              work area in accordance with EPA-approved methods,
              then perform air sampling for clearance purposes.
              Perform sampling in an aggressive manner, using
              fans or similar equipment to create exaggerated air
              movement during the clearance air sampling. Repeat
              the process until fiber concentration level reaches
              0.01 f/cc or the level recommended by EPA. Then
              wait 24 hours and repeat air sampling process
              again. If fiber concentration does not exceed 0.01
              f/cc or the level recommended by EPA, the
              Contracting Officer or designated representative
              may authorize removal of the enclosure. Contracting
              Officer approval of final cleaning and restoration
              of the work area is required.

                             END OF SECTION