Asbestos Asbestos Awareness In February of 2016 WorksafeBC came out with an initiative to look at Asbestos Management in Schools Beginning in March 2016 they are Focus on the employer’s maintenance of a long term asbestos management program supported through their own planning, inspections and follow up actions Assess and develop knowledge of workplace parties concerning the hazards of asbestos exposure Ensure that workers are familiar with and follow the exposure control plan including the reporting of unsafe conditions as part of the overall asbestos management plan Focus on identification, assessment, and control of asbestos in your workplace Inspect various locations to ensure compliance and verify that asbestos hazard are being effectively managed

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that once was lauded for its versatility, recognized for its heat resistance, tensile strength and insulating properties, and used for everything from fire-proof vests to home and commercial construction. It was woven into fabric, and mixed with cement. We have asbestos in Flooring, Ceiling tile, wall panels, boilers, pipe insulation, block wall insulation, fume hood gaskets, flammable cabinets and roofing.

What are the health risks of exposure? Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause cancer and other diseases, such as: Asbestosis a scarring of the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe Mesothelioma a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity Lung Cancer smoking can greatly increase this risk Very bad stuff

Asbestos Management Plan In 2012

In 1992 our district developed it’s first asbestos management plan We receive government funding to remediate much of our asbestos inventory. In 1997 a re-inspection was done and our inventory updated In 2012 we once again started updating our asbestos inventory 2016 we are did it all again

We have created site specific asbestos manuals for all schools built before 1990 Asbestos products came under very tight control in 1980

Moderate Risk Safe Work Procedures Drywall abatement and repair Vinyl floor tile abatement and repair Gasket abatement Transite repair or replacement Parging cement on pipe elbows abatement Safe work procedures for maintenance staff

Asbestos Building Material Assessment (Asbestos Inventory) Location Product or material Samples collected

Roles and Responsibilities

Facilities Managers Responsibilities Ensuring that the materials (e.g. Tools, equipment, PPE) and other resources (i.e. worker training materials, safe work procedures) required to fully implement and maintain the exposure control plan (ECP) are readily available and used where and when they are required. Conducting a periodic review of the effectiveness of the ECP. This would include a review of the available abatement technologies to ensure these are selected and used when required. Ensuring that supervisors and workers are trained to an acceptable level of competency Maintaining records of training, fit testing, employee training and inspections Maintaining the ECP by reviewing it annually with the Health and Safety Committee. Selecting, implementing and documenting the appropriate site-specific control measures. Providing adequate instruction to workers on the hazards of working with asbestos-containing materials and on the precautions specified in the job specific plan covering hazards at the location. Ensuring the workers are using the proper air purifying respirators (APR) and have been trained in their use, care and maintenance. Ensuring that the workers are fit tested and that the results are recorded. Directing the work in a manner that ensures the risk to workers is minimized and adequately controlled. Ensuring that a Notice of Project (NOP) is filed with WorkSafeBC for Asbestos work where applicable Communicate asbestos risks to hired contractors to ensure a safe work environment. Facility Managers role Ensure that the asbestos management plan is in place and working. Ensuring that all staff have awareness training. Ensuring that all tools, staff, inventories and procedures are in place and working

Principal’s or Site Supervisors Responsibilities To ensure that all workers at their site are made aware of the health hazards of asbestos Provide a location in the office for the yellow binder containing the Asbestos Inventory and the Asbestos Management Plan Know what to do in case of an emergency and who to call Inform all staff annually of the Asbestos Management Plan and its location Review the asbestos inventory in their school annually All staff should also be informed of emergency procedures in case an asbestos product is broken or damaged. Read all

Staff (Teachers, Aids, Clerical) Responsibilities To be aware of the Asbestos Management Plan and its location To inform the custodian, principal or maintenance immediately if an asbestos containing product is broken or damaged read

Maintenance Workers Responsibilities Know and follow health and safety requirements that apply to the job. Ask the supervisor for training to perform work tasks and use equipment safely. Participate in all required health and safety education and training. Work safely, and encourage co-workers to do the same. Use all required PPE and clothing. Correct any unsafe conditions or immediately report them to a supervisor. Immediately report any injury to a first aid attendant or supervisor. Inform a supervisor of any physical or mental impairments that may affect work safety. Make suggestions to improve health and safety

Custodians Responsibilities To be aware of the Asbestos Management Plan and its location To be aware of asbestos containing material in their facility and to conduct a monthly check to ensure that the products remain in good condition To inform maintenance staff immediately if an asbestos containing product is broken or damaged To be aware of their role in protecting other staff members when a spill occurs. read

Asbestos Management Program Custodial Monthly Check Sheet School : Marie Sharpe Month:   Custodian Location Product Note: In good condition Main Building Day Care Cement Asbestos Board (Transite) above windows □ Classroom 4 LA Rm. Classroom 6 Library Library Work Rm. Sheet Flooring Olive Mosaic Storage off Rm. 10 tan Classroom 10 Classroom 9 Classroom 8 Storage Rm. B Olive Green Mosaic Classroom 7 Classroom 5 Classroom 3 Boys Washroom Main Hall Custodial Check sheet

All schools inspected have an inventory map showing asbestos containing material locations

What to do if an asbestos containing product is damaged or broken Emergency Response What to do if an asbestos containing product is damaged or broken

Isolate Area Evacuate the area Isolate or confine the spill by closing the doors to the room or blocking access using other means Turn off ventilation or fans if possible Lock the doors where possible DO NOT DISTURB the material. Asbestos fibers are very fine and can become airborne easily

Notify Notify the Principal / Manager of the spill immediately Contact the maintenance department immediately by phone Only trained personnel can safely clean up an asbestos spill, improper procedures can contaminate the whole facility and put more people at risk.

Your Now Aware Thank You