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Part 6 Substance Specific Requirements

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Asbestos

6.1 Definitions

In this section and sections 6.2 to 6.32:

"asbestos-containing material" means the following:

(a) a manufactured article or other material, other than vermiculite insulation, that would be determined to contain at least 0.5% asbestos if tested in accordance with one of the following methods:

(i) Asbestos, Chrysotile by XRD, Method 9000 (Issue 2, dated August 15, 1994) in the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, published by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centre for Disease Control;

(ii) Asbestos (bulk) by PLM, Method 9002 (Issue 2, dated August 15, 1994) in the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, published by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centre for Disease Control;

(iii) Test Method for the Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Building Materials (EPA/600/R-93/116, dated July 1993) published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency;

(b) vermiculite insulation that would be determined to contain any asbestos if tested in accordance with the Research Method for Sampling and Analysis of Fibrous Amphibole in Vermiculite Attic Insulation (EPA/600/R-04/004, dated January 2004) published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency;

"clean room" means a room in a high risk decontamination facility which is used by workers to change from street clothes into protective work clothing and equipment prior to entering the designated work area;

"clearance air sampling" means sampling to determine if the air inside a containment of a high risk work activity is sufficiently free of asbestos fibre to permit the dismantling of the containment;

"containment" means an isolation system designed to effectively contain asbestos fibre within a designated work area where asbestos-containing material is handled, removed, encapsulated or enclosed, and includes a glove bag;

"decontamination facility" means a series of rooms constructed so as to allow a person to enter and leave a containment without spreading asbestos fibre or waste material beyond the designated work area;

"designated work area" means an area for work with asbestos-containing material which is restricted to access by authorized persons by warning signs and by barricades, enclosures or other means of isolation, with due regard for the level of risk;

"encapsulation" means treatment of an asbestos-containing material or surface with a sealant which penetrates the material and binds the fibres together;

"enclosure" means isolation of asbestos-containing material from adjacent occupied areas in a building by physical barriers such as gyproc, plywood, or metal sheeting, to prevent the release of airborne asbestos fibres into these areas;

"friable asbestos-containing material" means asbestos-containing material that is crumbled or powdered or can be crumbled or powdered by hand pressure;

"high risk work activity" means a work activity that involves working with or in proximity to asbestos-containing material if a high level of control is necessary in respect of that activity to prevent exposure of a worker to airborne asbestos fibre;

"low risk work activity" means a work activity that involves working with or in proximity to asbestos-containing material if, at the time the work activity is being carried out, both of the following apply:

(a) the asbestos-containing material is not being

(i) cut, sanded, drilled, broken, ground down or otherwise fragmented, or

(ii) disturbed such that the asbestos-containing material may release airborne asbestos fibre;

(b) it is not necessary to use personal protective equipment or engineering controls in respect of that activity to prevent exposure of a worker to airborne asbestos fibre;

"moderate risk work activity" means a work activity, other than a high risk work activity, that involves working with or in proximity to asbestos-containing material if, at the time the work activity is being carried out, one or both of the following apply:

(a) the asbestos-containing material is being

(i) cut, sanded, drilled, broken, ground down or otherwise fragmented, or

(ii) disturbed such that the asbestos-containing material may release airborne asbestos fibre;

(b) it is necessary to use personal protective equipment or engineering controls, or both, in respect of that activity to prevent exposure of a worker to airborne asbestos fibre;

"qualified person" means a person who

(a) has knowledge of the management and control of asbestos hazards through education and training, and

(b) has experience in the management and control of asbestos hazards.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 19/2006, effective May 17, 2006.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.2 Application

Sections 6.3 to 6.32 apply to a workplace where a worker is or may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of asbestos fibre, including a workplace where asbestos-containing material is present.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

General Requirements

6.3 Exposure control plan

(1) If a worker is or may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of asbestos, the employer must develop and implement an exposure control plan meeting the requirements of section 5.54.

(2) To ensure adequate coordination of the overall plan, the employer must ensure that it is administered by a properly trained person.

6.4 Inventory

(1) The employer must ensure that a qualified person

(a) collects representative samples of the materials in the workplace that the qualified person suspects contain asbestos, and

(b) determines whether each of the samples is asbestos-containing material in accordance with,

(i) in the case of a sample that is not vermiculite insulation, one of the methods set out in paragraph (a) (i) to (iii) of the definition of "asbestos-containing material" in section 6.1, and

(ii) in the case of a sample that is vermiculite insulation, the method set out in paragraph (b) of the definition of "asbestos-containing material" in section 6.1.

(2) If a qualified person suspects that an inaccessible material contains asbestos, the material must be treated as asbestos-containing material unless a qualified person determines, in accordance with subsection (1) (b), that it is not asbestos-containing material.

(3) The employer must

(a) ensure that a qualified person prepares an inventory of all asbestos-containing materials in the workplace,

(b) keep the inventory at the workplace, and

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.5 Identification

The employer must ensure that all asbestos-containing materials present in the workplace are identified by signs, labels or when these are not practicable, other effective means.

6.6 Assessment and classification

(1) The employer must ensure that a risk assessment is conducted by a qualified person on asbestos-containing material identified in the inventory referred to in section 6.4 (3), with due regard for the condition of the material, its friability, accessibility and likelihood of damage, and the potential for fibre release and exposure of workers.

(2) The employer must ensure that a risk assessment has been conducted by a qualified person before any demolition, alteration, or repair of machinery, equipment, or structures where asbestos-containing material may be disturbed.

(3) Before a work activity that involves working with or in proximity to asbestos-containing material begins, the employer must ensure that a qualified person assesses the work activity and classifies it as a low risk work activity, a moderate risk work activity or a high risk work activity.

(4) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.7 Control of asbestos fibre

(1) The employer must ensure that all friable asbestos-containing materials in the workplace are controlled by removal, enclosure or encapsulation so as to prevent the release of airborne asbestos fibre.

(2) The employer must not allow any work that would disturb asbestos-containing material unless necessary precautions have been taken to protect workers.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.8 Procedures

(1) The employer must ensure that procedures for handling or using asbestos-containing material prevent or minimize the release of airborne asbestos fibres.

(2) The employer must ensure that the procedures for control, handling or use of asbestos are in accordance with procedures acceptable to the Board.

(3) The procedures must address

(a) containment of asbestos operations where applicable,

(b) control of the release of asbestos fibre,

(d) means for the decontamination of workers, and

(e) removal of asbestos waste and cleanup of asbestos waste material.

(4) The procedures must provide a worker with task-specific work direction that addresses both hazards and necessary controls.

6.9 Prohibitions

(1) Except for waste intended for disposal, the employer must ensure crocidolite asbestos or material containing crocidolite asbestos is not brought into or used in a workplace.

(2) The spraying of asbestos or asbestos-containing material is not permitted.

(3) Pressure spraying equipment of any type must not be used to remove asbestos insulation or other asbestos-containing material from buildings or structures.

(4) The employer must not permit the use of compressed air to clean up or remove asbestos dust or debris, or dry sweeping or dry mopping of asbestos waste.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.10 Substitution

(1) The employer must substitute material less hazardous than asbestos-containing material when practicable.

(2) If such substitution is not practicable, the employer must document the reasons why less hazardous material cannot be substituted for asbestos-containing material, and make this documentation available to workers and to the joint committee or the worker health and safety representative, as applicable.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.11 Instruction and training

The employer must ensure that a worker who is at risk of exposure to asbestos is adequately instructed and trained in

(a) the hazards of asbestos,

(b) the means of identifying asbestos-containing material at the worksite,

(d) the correct use of the required personal protective equipment, and operation of the required engineering controls, and

(e) the purpose and significance of any required health monitoring.

6.12 Monitoring

(1) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

(2) During a high risk work activity, except where glove bags are used as the containment, the employer must sample for airborne asbestos fibre in

(a) areas outside of the containment but in its vicinity, at least daily if there are unprotected workers in the area,

(b) the clean room, at least daily during removal and cleanup operations, and

(c) contaminated areas inside the containment, as necessary during removal and cleanup to ensure that workers are adequately protected.

(3) The employer must make the results of all air samples taken during a high risk work activity available to the workers involved, within 24 hours of completing the collection of the samples.

(4) Except where glove bags are used as the containment, prior to dismantling a containment used in a high risk work activity and after all asbestos waste has been cleaned up, removed or otherwise controlled, the employer must ensure that

(a) clearance air sampling is conducted in previously contaminated areas inside the containment, and

(b) the airborne asbestos fibre levels in these areas do not exceed 0.02 f/ml.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

Designated Work Areas and Containments

6.13 Designated area

(1) Before starting work with asbestos-containing material, the employer must, with due regard for the level of risk,

(a) identify and mark the boundary of the designated work area by barricades, fences, or similar means,

(b) ensure that the immediate work area is cleared of objects, materials and equipment other than that required to do the work, and

(c) ensure that windows, doorways and all other openings are adequately secured to prevent the release of asbestos fibre into other work areas.

(2) The employer must post signs at the boundaries of the designated work area indicating asbestos work is in progress, the hazards, and the precautions required for entering the work area.

(3) The employer must restrict entry into the designated work area to authorized persons who are adequately protected against the level of risk within the designated work area.

6.14 Permanent enclosure design

When asbestos-containing material in the workplace is controlled by a permanent enclosure, the employer must ensure that the enclosure is airtight, and if practicable, that electrical, plumbing, ventilation and similar services are located outside the enclosure.

6.15 Glove bags

The employer must ensure that when a prefabricated glove bag is used for the removal of asbestos insulation from pipes, ducts and similar structures

(a) the glove bag is sealed to prevent the release of asbestos fibres into the work area outside the bag,

(b) waste materials on surfaces are washed to the bottom of the glove bag and all exposed asbestos insulation is encapsulated while inside the glove bag enclosure,

(c) all glove bags are evacuated through a HEPA vacuum to remove the air inside the bag, prior to removal of the bag, and

(d) after removing the glove bag, all exposed surfaces are cleaned again.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

6.16 High risk work

(1) For high risk work activity the employer must provide and maintain a containment and a decontamination facility, except that a decontamination facility is not required if the containment is a glove bag.

(2) The employer must inspect a containment and a decontamination facility used for high risk work activity at least daily to ensure their effectiveness is maintained.

(3) The employer must ensure that the design of the decontamination facility includes

(a) a physical connection to the containment,

(b) a shower facility, and

(4) If the high risk work activity involves encapsulation of asbestos-containing material, the employer must ensure that the encapsulant penetrates the material and effectively binds the asbestos fibres together, and has not disturbed the bonding of the material to the supporting surface.

(5) At the completion of a high risk work activity and before dismantling the containment, the employer must

(a) visually inspect the area inside the containment to ensure that an effective cleanup has been completed, and

(b) treat all exposed surfaces inside the containment with a sealant to bind any remaining asbestos fibres and prevent them from becoming airborne.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

Ventilation

6.17 Containment ventilation

The employer must, with the exception of a glove bag, ventilate a containment to ensure that

(a) air flows only from clean outside areas into the contaminated area,

(b) exhaust air from the containment ventilation system is directed to the outdoors through an effective HEPA filter, and

6.18 Local exhaust ventilation

The employer must provide local exhaust ventilation with exhaust air discharged through a HEPA filter for all dust-producing operations outside a containment where asbestos-containing material is handled or used.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.19 Filter testing

(1) The employer must assess the effectiveness of HEPA filters by DOP (dioctyl phthalate) testing or similar means at least annually, after a HEPA filter is replaced in a vacuum cleaner or ventilation system, and before use in high risk work activity.

(2) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

Other Means of Controlling Exposure to Asbestos

6.20 Protecting work surfaces

(1) Before starting work where exposed friable asbestos-containing material is present or asbestos-containing material has been handled, the employer must remove all asbestos dust from contaminated work surfaces with a damp cloth or similar material, or with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA-filtered exhaust.

(2) Work surfaces in the work area must be kept as free as practicable from accumulations of asbestos dust.

(3) Work surfaces in a designated work area must, with due regard for the level of risk, be covered with plastic sheets, tarpaulins or similar materials to help control the spread of asbestos-containing material.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.21 Preventing spread

The employer must prevent the spread of asbestos dust and debris to other work areas during the work.

6.22 Wetting material

Asbestos-containing material that is to be removed or disturbed must be effectively wetted before and during the work, whenever practicable.

6.23 Repairing damaged material

When damaged asbestos-containing material is repaired, the employer must ensure that

(a) the repair methods will seal all exposed, friable ends or edges, and

(b) the methods used disturb the least amount of asbestos-containing material necessary to complete the repair.

6.24 Friction materials

If automotive service procedures may involve friction material that is asbestos-containing material or dust arising from such material, the employer must ensure that the following control measures are implemented:

(a) dry removal of friction material dust from automotive assemblies using compressed air, brushes, or other similar means is prohibited;

(b) service work areas where friction material is handled are posted with signs to advise workers of the hazards and required precautions;

(d) a worker handling equipment or assemblies contaminated with dust from friction material, outside of a HEPA-filtered vacuum enclosure system, wears suitable personal protective equipment, including disposable coveralls and at least a HEPA-filtered dual cartridge half face respirator;

(e) waste material that may be contaminated with asbestos is promptly collected and disposed of in accordance with applicable requirements;

(f) contaminated tools, equipment and work surfaces are cleaned after work is completed.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

Waste Handling and Disposal

6.25 Sealed containers

The employer must ensure that all asbestos waste and other waste contaminated with asbestos, including disposable protective clothing and cleanup equipment, is placed into sealed containers which are labelled as containing asbestos.

6.26 Cleaning containers and equipment

(1) The employer must ensure that the exterior of a container of asbestos waste is cleaned with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA-filtered exhaust before being removed from a designated work area.

(2) Reusable tools and equipment contaminated with asbestos must be cleaned after work is completed.

6.27 Waste removal

(1) Before any work involving asbestos takes place, the employer must ensure that procedures for the safe removal of asbestos dust and debris from the work area are set out in writing by a qualified person.

(2) The written procedures must

(a) comply with the requirements set out in section 6.8,

(b) provide for removal of asbestos dust and debris from the work area

(i) while work is in progress, at intervals necessary to eliminate or minimize the risk of exposure,

(ii) at the end of each work shift, and

(iii) at the completion of work involving asbestos, and

(c) consider the nature of the asbestos dust and debris to be removed and provide specific direction regarding which of the following removal methods, or combination of the following removal methods, is most appropriate for safe removal of that asbestos dust and debris in relation to each of the times set out in paragraph (b) (i), (ii) and (iii):

(i) using a vacuum cleaner, or similar device, that is equipped with a HEPA-filtered exhaust;

(ii) wiping surfaces with a damp cloth or sponge to remove residual amounts of asbestos dust and debris;

(iii) wet sweeping or wet mopping to remove larger amounts of asbestos dust and debris;

(iv) using a shovel or similar device to place larger amounts of dampened asbestos debris into the sealed container required by section 6.25;

(v) using another method that is acceptable to the Board.

(3) The employer must ensure that

(a) every worker who is engaged in asbestos dust and debris removal at the work area is adequately instructed and trained in the written procedures of the qualified person under this section, and

(b) the written procedures of the qualified person are followed.

[Enacted by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

6.28 Waste disposal

The employer must dispose of containers of asbestos waste promptly to prevent the accumulation of large amounts of asbestos waste.

Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment

6.29 Respiratory protection

(1) The employer must supply, and ensure that workers within a designated work area wear, respirators which are adequate for the anticipated level of exposure.

(2) The employer must ensure that a single use respirator is not used for protection against asbestos.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 312/2010, effective February 1, 2011.]

6.30 Protective clothing

(1) The employer must ensure that all persons within a designated work area wear protective clothing which is made of material resistant to penetration by asbestos fibres, fits snugly at the neck, wrists and ankles, and as necessary to protect against the risk, covers the head and feet as well as the body.

(2) The employer must replace or repair any torn or damaged protective clothing immediately.

(3) Before a worker removes protective clothing and equipment, the employer must ensure that the worker cleans this gear with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA-filtered exhaust.

(4) The employer must ensure that a worker removes protective clothing and equipment before leaving the designated work area.

(5) The employer must ensure that protective clothing contaminated with asbestos is, before reuse, cleaned with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA-filtered exhaust, and placed in a water-soluble plastic bag, which is sealed and labelled before being sent to an acceptable laundry facility.

6.31 Information to laundry workers

The employer must ensure that workers who launder clothing contaminated with asbestos are informed of the hazards of asbestos and the precautions required for handling the clothing.

Documentation

6.32 Types of records

(1) The employer must maintain for at least 10 years, records of asbestos-containing materials inventories and risk assessments, inspections and air monitoring results.

(2) The employer must maintain for at least 3 years, records of corrective actions to control asbestos fibre release, training and instruction of workers, written work procedures and written notification of the Board.

[Amended by B.C. Reg. 188/2011, effective February 1, 2012.]

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