Asbestos Removal (D-5)
Original Implementation: July 12, 1988
Last Revision: January 31, 2012
Stephen F. Austin State University provides for the training of certain university personnel, the establishment of an inspection and abatement program, and maintenance procedures relating to asbestos in university buildings and facilities. The university's objective is that all personnel who may work in an area with asbestos or materials which contain asbestos be informed of the history of asbestos, its past and present use, health affects, and remedial action necessary to meet current regulations and to maintain a safe work environment.
- Purpose
- Identification and immediate removal of any asbestos-containing material that is in a friable state by accredited, competent, trained personnel.
- Strict enforcement of OSHA, EPA, NIOSH, NESAPHS, and the Texas Department of State Health Services regulations and guidelines to ascertain as well as possible that no one is exposed to an asbestos hazard.
- Continuance of an on-going program to maintain asbestos-containing material in a safe condition and remove and/or encapsulate this material.
- Asbestos Program Manager
- The Asbestos Program Manager (APM) or a certified asbestos consultant must be licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as an Asbestos Inspector, Management Planner, and must satisfactorily complete the appropriate examination administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. The APM will stay abreast of all pertinent regulations regarding asbestos.
- The APM will establish a training program to be completed by all university employees who might reasonably be expected to come into contact with asbestos material during the performance of their university employment.
- Once completion of the initial training program has been conducted, supervisors will provide periodic reminders to employees of the employee’s duty to inform their supervisor when any material containing asbestos becomes friable or may become friable due to daily wear-and-tear, roof leaks or maintenance.
- Upon notification of building renovation, modification, or demolition, bulk samples will be taken, and records will be checked. If asbestos-containing material is present, abatement will be scheduled.
- The APM will maintain two current files, located remotely from each other, on all university buildings and facilities previously identified as containing any form of asbestos at 1% or above. It will be the responsibility of each Stephen F. Austin State University employee to notify his/her supervisor any time a question arises relating to work which may involve contact with suspected asbestos materials, and when the work requirements listed below are anticipated.
- a wall, ceiling, floor, or partition is to be penetrated, scored, drilled, refinished, or otherwise altered
- pipe insulation is removed, damaged, or altered
- boilers, chillers, hot water tanks, heat exchangers, valves, and piping are repaired, changed, or altered in a way that may affect the insulation
- painting or paint removal is done to a surface that could possibly contain asbestos
- Implementation
- If at any time an employee is working around suspect material, they are to stop immediately and notify their supervisor. The supervisor will notify the APM so that records may be researched and an approval to continue work may be secured. Under no circumstances is an employee to work in an unsafe condition or environment.
- Contractors working on university property must comply with the same guidelines listed above. In addition, contractors must secure approval from the APM prior to beginning work and must consult the APM when any question or potential problem arises.
- Contractors must also provide an Asbestos free certification for all newly constructed facilities on campus.
Cross Reference: None
Responsible for Implementation: Vice President for Finance and Administration
Contact for Revision: Director of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management
Forms: None
Board Committee Assignment: Building and Grounds