Working with Asbestos

Awareness and supervisor training for anyone who may disturb asbestos: the six asbestos minerals and why legacy material remains under the paused 2024 EPA chrysotile rule, asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma with latency and smoking, where asbestos hides and presumed asbestos-containing material, OSHA 1926.1101, 1910.1001 and 1915.1001 with the 0.1 f/cc PEL and 1.0 f/cc excursion limit, EPA NESHAP and AHERA, surveys, homogeneous areas and AHERA sampling, Class I to IV work, competent persons and negative exposure assessments, wetting, intact removal and glove bags, negative pressure enclosures and decontamination areas, respirator requirements, PCM and TEM monitoring with AHERA clearance, waste labeling, DOT transport and waste shipment records, accidental disturbance and a capstone work plan. It does not provide EPA MAP accreditation.

HSE-246 12 lessons · 5 h 5 min

Offered by HSM University · Safety Training

This is the American version of this course. See the Canadian version.

What you'll learn

Explain what asbestos is, why it was used so widely, why legacy material remains in buildings and equipment, and who is exposed today.
Describe how asbestos fibers harm the body, the diseases they cause, their latency, and the multiplying effect of smoking.
Recognize asbestos-containing materials and where they hide, distinguish friable from non-friable material, and assess condition.
Apply the structure of US asbestos law, including OSHA's asbestos standards, EPA NESHAP and AHERA, state licensing and the 0.1 f/cc PEL and 1.0 f/cc excursion limit, and identify each party's responsibilities.
Read and evaluate asbestos surveys, including homogeneous areas, minimum samples under the AHERA benchmark, the 1 percent threshold and laboratory methods.
Classify asbestos construction work as Class I, II, III or IV, and explain the role of the competent person and the negative exposure assessment.
Select source controls, including avoiding disturbance, wetting with amended water, intact removal, appropriate tools, glove bags, work area controls and HEPA clean-up.
Explain how enclosures, negative air and decontamination facilities work, size negative air from volume and air changes, and inspect enclosures.
Select respirators and protective clothing for asbestos work using the regulation and maximum use concentrations, and prevent common failures.
Interpret PCM and TEM air monitoring results, calculate fiber concentrations and limits of detection, and apply clearance criteria.
Package, label, store, transport and dispose of asbestos waste under NESHAP, OSHA and DOT rules, including waste shipment records.
Respond to accidental disturbance and emergencies, and prepare and review an asbestos work plan for a renovation.

Course content

12 lessons · 5 h 5 min total · final exam

1 What asbestos is and why it is still here 26 min · quiz
2 Health effects of asbestos 26 min · quiz
3 Where asbestos hides 26 min · quiz
4 Law and responsibilities 25 min · quiz
5 Surveys, inspections and sampling 25 min · quiz
6 OSHA work classes I to IV 25 min · quiz
7 Controls I: wetting, tools and work practices 26 min · quiz
8 Controls II: enclosures, negative air and decontamination 25 min · quiz
9 Respiratory protection and protective clothing for asbestos 25 min · quiz
10 Air monitoring and clearance 25 min · quiz
11 Waste handling, transport and disposal 25 min · quiz
12 Emergencies, accidental disturbance and capstone: an asbestos work plan 26 min · quiz
E Final exam 20 questions

Requirements

HSE-240 Respiratory Protection

Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.