Engineering Controls

Engineering controls are used to remove a potential hazard, or to place a barrier between the worker and the potentially hazardous material. Well-designed engineering controls can be highly effective in protecting workers. An important engineering control regarding asbestos is the use of glove bags and glove box systems, which we will discuss a bit later. The initial cost of engineering controls can be high, but over the longer term, operating costs are frequently lower, and in some instances, can provide a cost savings in other areas of the process. Engineering controls reduce or eliminate exposure to chemical or physical hazards through the following methods:

• Elimination of a hazardous technique, process, or material
• Substitution of a less hazardous technique, process, or material for a more hazardous one
• Segregation of people from hazards
• Enclosure of hazards
• Ventilation of the workplace and the source of contaminants
• Using vacuum cleaners equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to contain contaminants
• Using wet methods or wetting agents when working with asbestos-containing material
• Dry sweeping dust and debris that contain asbestos

Mechanical ventilation is another engineering control that can reduce asbestos exposure. Ventilation can either be accomplished by either general (dilution) systems or local (exhaust) systems.

Local ventilation removes contaminated air. The contaminated air removed from the work space must be discharged into the open air, well clear of the source of intake air. Local ventilation works best when air contaminants are generated at a single source and there are high concentrations of toxins that need to be removed. Examples of local ventilation include exhaust hoods and fans set to pull or blow air out of the worksite.

To learn more about Asbestos Awareness visit our Cal/OSHA Asbestos Awareness Online Training web page.