EHS 01-007: Asbestos

Asbestos

Effective Date: 03/01/2020 - Review Date: 03/20/2026

The inhalation of asbestos fibers in excess amounts can lead to chronic lung disease. Knowledge of these health effects comes from studies of workers exposed routinely to high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers. While asbestos can pose a health hazard when high concentrations of asbestos fibers are released into the air, intact asbestos materials do not pose a health risk. The presence of asbestos does not mean that the health of building occupants is endangered. A small disturbance of asbestos does not constitute a significant exposure risk. 

Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is properly managed through a comprehensive Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Program. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) manages the Asbestos Program and the O&M Program at the University.

1. The Operations and Maintenance Program

The principle objective of the University of Pittsburgh’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program is to minimize the potential exposure of all faculty, students and staff to airborne asbestos fibers. The O&M program includes specific work practices and training to maintain asbestos containing materials (ACM) in good condition; ensure proper clean-up of asbestos fibers previously released; and assure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations dealing with asbestos abatement, employee training, worker licensing, and waste disposal. A copy of the O&M Program for asbestos can be provided by EH&S upon request.

2. Responsibilities

2.1 An Asbestos Program Manager is appointed by EH&S to oversee asbestos related activities on campus, including building inspections, and abatement actions. 

2.2 The Asbestos Program Manager with the assistance of Facilities Management, will inform affected building occupants, contractors, and maintenance/custodial workers about asbestos hazards in their work areas and ensure that asbestos is properly identified, repaired, removed or encapsulated. 

2.3 Maintenance Employee Responsibilities: Upon discover or suspicion of asbestos being present, stop work and immediately inform supervisor. 

2.4 Maintenance Supervisor Responsibilities: Immediately inform EH&S of any asbestos discovery or suspicion on a jobsite and promptly implement site controls isolating employees from asbestos hazards when asbestos is discovered or suspected on a jobsite.

3. Information, Notification, Labeling 

3.1 The long-term goal of the University is to maintain asbestos containing materials in a safe condition until its eventual removal. Established work rules and safety procedures must be followed by campus personnel who come in contact with asbestos containing material. To obtain information about asbestos concerns at the University, contact EH&S. 

3.2 Signs are posted at the entrance to areas containing asbestos remediation activity to identify the presence of these materials beyond the posting. ACM labels and identification signs used at the University of Pittsburgh are worded as follows to comply with the OSHA regulations.