Engineering Controls & Work Practices

Employers must use the following engineering controls and work practices for all operations regardless of exposure levels:

• Vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters to collect all ACM or PACM debris and dust
• Wet methods or wetting agents to control employee exposures except when infeasible (for example, due to the creation of electrical hazards, equipment malfunction, and slipping hazards)
• Prompt cleanup and disposal in leak-tight containers of asbestos-contaminated wastes and debris

The following work practices and engineering controls are prohibited for all asbestos-related work or work that disturbs ACM or PACM regardless of measured exposure levels or the results of initial exposure assessments:

• High-speed abrasive disc saws not equipped with a point-of-cut ventilator or enclosure with HEPA-filtered exhaust air
• Compressed air to remove asbestos or ACM unless the compressed air is used with an enclosed ventilation system
• Dry sweeping, shoveling, or other dry cleanup of dust and debris
• Employee rotation to reduce exposure

In addition, OSHA's asbestos standard has specific requirements for each class of asbestos work in construction.

To learn more about Construction Asbestos Safety visit our Construction Asbestos Safety Online Training web page.