1. School District No. 20 Asbestos Awareness Seminar
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WHAT IS ASBESTOS
Asbestos is the name applied to six naturally occurring minerals that are mined from the earth. The different types of asbestos include:
Chrysotile – Canada (brown asbestos)
Amosite – South Africa (white asbestos)
Crocidolite – Africa and Australia (blue asbestos)
Actinolite – USA (Libby Montana-Vermiculite Insulation)
Tremolite – (Occasionally found with talcum powders)
Anthophyllite – (Occasionally found in certain vermiculites)
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TYPES OF ASBESTOS
There are Two Main Types of Asbestos Found in Building Materials
Serpentine Asbestos
- Chrysotile
- Defined as a wavy fibre
- Accounts for 90% of the asbestos used in building materials in Canada
Amphibole Asbestos (in order of commercial use)
- Amosite, Crocidolite, Actinolite, Tremolite and Anthophyllite
- Defined as a Hard Strait Fiber
- More likely to cause disease due to the make up of the fibre
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WHERE IS ASBESTOS USED
Asbestos was known as the product with a thousand uses, but today has been used in over 3000 manufactured products; typical uses include:
Insulation (heat resistance and thermal insulating qualities)
Vinyl flooring (tensile strength)
Gasketing (heat resistance and tensile strength)
Textiles (heat resistance and tensile strength)
Cement board and piping (tensile strength and chemical resistance)
Auto brake shoes (heat resistance and tensile strength)
Roofing felts (tensile strength, chemical and decay resistance)
Asphalt (tensile strength)
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5. WHAT REGULATIONS ARE IN PLACE REGARDING ASBESTOS?
Work Safe BC (WCB) Industrial Health and Safety Regulation
- Establishes worker exposure limits for protected and unprotected persons
- Details worker training and work area preparation for removal
- Limits its use
Health and Welfare Canada
- Federally Regulated Sties (CP, CN, Canada Post)
Ministry of Water Air and Land Protection
- Hazardous waste generator requirements
-  Disposal requirements
Department of Transportation
- Transportation of Dangerous Good Regulation
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HOW CAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS REDUCE THE RISK OF WORKER EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS?
The most important things school districts can do are to:
Maintain an accurate inventory of asbestos-containing materials in their buildings.
Keep that inventory up-to-date.
Review this information carefully and communicate to workers before any demolition or renovation work takes place. (Our maintenance staff reviews our inventory before any renovation projects happen.)
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7. ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS ASSESSMENT BINDER
The School District has a binder which includes Asbestos Inventory Reports for all our buildings as well as location drawings.
In the past the binders have been located at our Operations facilities only.
We will now have copies of those inventories in each building.
Our last update was done in 2003 and will be updated this Fall by a qualified contractor.
Once completed, all locations with asbestos will be clearly marked as well as documented in the binder.
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8. Sample Information from Binder:
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9. WHERE COULD ASBESTOS BE IN MY BUILDING?
Loose or Blown Attic Insulation such as Vermiculite Tar Paper Bat Insulation Roof Shingles, Felts or Patch Compounds
Mortar or
Refractory Cement
Acoustic or Decorative
Texture On Walls or Ceilings
Rough, Smooth or Rock Stucco
Recessed
Lighting
Insulation
Cement
Soffits
Range
Hoods
Vinyl Floor Sheeting, Floor Tile and Adhesives
Window Putty
Ceiling Tiles
Old Electrical
Wire Insulation
Drywall Filler
or Plaster
Water Proof
Underlay
Light Sockets
Buried Cement Asbestos Piping or Drains
Heat Shield
Duct Furnace or Pipe Hot Water Tank Insulated Exterior Cement
Insulation Boiler Insulation Insulation Insulation Doors Siding or Shingles
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Locations
Asbestos Containing Building Materials are present within several School District No. 20 Facilities but are in good condition and pose no risk of exposure provided they are not damaged, creating a potential release of asbestos fibres into the air.
Asbestos materials can be found as:
Vinyl Floor Tile and Floor Sheeting
Cement Asbestos Board and Cement Piping
Drywall Filler and Tapping Compounds
Stipple Ceiling Texture
Hot Water Heat Piping Insulation
Concrete Block Wall Vermiculite Insulation
Gasketing and Packing Materials
Paper Duct tape
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What can YOU do to prevent asbestos exposure?
Generally, the greatest risk lies with workers who would be involved in the maintenance or repair of the buildings. All staff needs to be aware of the risks of asbestos.
Review the asbestos inventory and report for your facility prior to any work which may disturb building materials.
Contact your supervisor if any suspect materials are encountered through your work – I.E. any suspect flooring found beneath covering materials or piping located above hard ceilings or within wall spaces.
Immediately upon discovery, report any damaged asbestos materials in your facility to your supervisor for appropriate remediation.
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