Policy Statement

The University of Oregon shall endeavor to minimize asbestos risks to employees, students, and the public.  This will be accomplished through proper management of asbestos containing materials in University owned, leased, or otherwise occupied buildings and structures.

Proper management includes good operations and maintenance practices, enclosure, encapsulation, and removal when appropriate.

Our O&M plan is designed to:

• Clean up and repair any existing contamination from past damage or disturbance until such time as the ACM can be removed;
• Prevent further release of asbestos fibers through good work practices; and
• Maintain asbestos in good condition through an ongoing program of monitoring the condition of ACM and repair any damage.
  

Facilities Services has designated an individual to coordinate all asbestos related activities.  This person is referred to as the Asbestos Coordinator.  This person shall be responsible for ensuring that the program and all it's procedures are followed.

Personnel Responsibilities

Under no circumstances will any individual whether employee or student be allowed to disturb any asbestos containing material without the proper training and certifications as listed below:

Asbestos Coordinator

Qualifications:

• EPA certified Inspector and Management Planner
• EPA certified Designer
• DEQ licensed Asbestos Project Supervisor

Responsibilities:

• Manage the O&M plan; update, document, etc.
• Maintain and manage the documented inventory of asbestos and its location.
• Participate in the review and development of repair and/or alteration projects.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Federal, State, and Local laws concerning asbestos.
• Implement asbestos training programs and assist in the training.
• Manage asbestos contractors and consultants and their contracts.
• Overall responsibility for asbestos containing material in UO buildings, excluding those operated by the UO Housing Department.
  

Asbestos Supervisor / Worker

Qualifications:

• DEQ licensed Full Scale Worker or Supervisor
• EPA certified Inspector
  

Responsibilities:

• Keep an inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Check warning labels and replace them as needed.
• Coordinate work of licensed asbestos contract workers for asbestos maintenance activities.
• Assist the Asbestos Coordinator in sampling and other investigatory work.
• Inspect in-house and contract work.
• Conduct asbestos removal for maintenance purposes and small projects as needed.
• Conduct initial and periodic cleaning
• Respond to accidental fiber release episodes.
• Conduct or help conduct periodic surveillance.
• Assist the Asbestos Coordinator and Supervisor with record keeping duties.
  

Employee Training

All custodial, maintenance, and related personnel shall receive Asbestos Awareness Training  yearly.  The purpose of this training is to make our employees aware of the dangers of asbestos and how to avoid any exposure.  The training will include the following:

1. Types and uses of asbestos.
2. Health effects.
3. Locations of asbestos on campus.
4. How to recognize damaged asbestos.
5. How to report damage or request removal for maintenance.
6. Where the asbestos survey resides and how to request information from it.
   

Employee Protection

The University of Oregon Permissible Exposure Limit is .01 fibers per cubic centimeter of air on a time weighted average of 8 hours.

Periodic air monitoring shall be performed in areas of suspected fiber releases.  All full scale asbestos abatement projects will receive an air clearance by a qualified third party technician to determine safe levels for re-occupation

NOTE: The asbestos survey information along with the Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Policy Manual are available for review in the Asbestos Coordinator's office.



Created: September 18, 2001
Reviewed: September 6, 2006
Approved by: Steve Pelkey, Safety Manager