AHERA Asbestos Worker flashcards
AHERA Asbestos Worker · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Six asbestos minerals
- Chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. Chrysotile is serpentine; the others are amphiboles. All are regulated as asbestos.
- Respirable fiber definition
- A fiber with length >5 µm, diameter <3 µm, and aspect ratio ≥3:1. These dimensions allow fibers to reach the deep lung and are counted by phase contrast microscopy.
- Mesothelioma
- A rare cancer of the pleural or peritoneal lining caused by asbestos exposure, with a long latency of 20–50 years. It is considered a signature asbestos disease.
- Asbestosis
- Diffuse pulmonary fibrosis caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. It typically requires high cumulative exposure and leads to shortness of breath and reduced lung function.
- OSHA PEL for asbestos
- 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The excursion limit is 1.0 f/cc over a 30-minute sampling period.
- AHERA
- Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. It requires accreditation for asbestos professionals and sets work practice standards for schools and certain public buildings.
- NESHAP
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. It regulates asbestos emissions during demolition and renovation and requires notification and work practices.
- Class I work
- OSHA classification for asbestos work involving removal of thermal system insulation (TSI) and surfacing ACM or PACM. It requires the highest level of worker protection.
- Class II work
- OSHA classification for removal of all ACM except TSI and surfacing materials. Examples include floor tiles, roofing, and siding.
- Class III work
- OSHA classification for repair and maintenance operations where ACM is likely to be disturbed. It includes small-scale, short-duration tasks.
- Class IV work
- OSHA classification for cleanup of asbestos waste and debris, and for maintenance of containment equipment. It includes custodial activities.
- Respirator fit testing
- Required annually and when a different respirator model or size is used. It ensures a proper seal and can be qualitative or quantitative. A user seal check is done each donning.
- HEPA filter
- High-efficiency particulate air filter that removes at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 µm in diameter. Used in respirators and negative air machines for asbestos work.
- Protective clothing
- Disposable coveralls with hood and booties, made of Tyvek or equivalent, must be worn to prevent contamination of street clothes and skin. No exposed skin is allowed.
- Respirator cartridge change
- Change HEPA filters when breathing becomes difficult or according to manufacturer recommendations. Do not clean or reuse HEPA filters.
- Negative pressure
- Containment must be kept under negative pressure using HEPA-filtered negative air machines capable of at least 4 air changes per hour to prevent fiber release.
- Decontamination unit sequence
- A three-stage unit: dirty room (equipment room), shower, and clean room. Workers exit through the shower to prevent contamination spread.
- Critical barriers
- Plastic sheeting sealed over openings, HVAC vents, and other penetrations to isolate the containment and prevent asbestos migration before work begins.
- Containment plastic thickness
- Use 6-mil fire-retardant plastic. Floors require two layers; walls require one layer. Seams and overlaps must be sealed with tape.
- Amended water
- Water mixed with a surfactant (wetting agent) to improve penetration and dust suppression when wetting asbestos-containing materials during removal.
- Glove bag
- A sealed bag with gloves used for removing small amounts of pipe insulation when full containment is not feasible. Waste is bagged directly from the glove bag.
- Wet methods
- Techniques using amended water to wet asbestos-containing materials before and during removal to minimize fiber release. Dry sweeping and shoveling are prohibited.
- Lockout/tagout
- Procedure to disable electrical and HVAC systems before abatement to prevent accidental activation and contamination spread. Required before work begins.
- Shower requirement
- Workers must shower at the end of each shift before leaving the site. Showering removes asbestos fibers from skin and hair and prevents take-home exposure.
- Medical surveillance trigger
- Required for workers exposed above the PEL or at or above the action level (0.1 f/cc) for 30 or more days per year. Includes physical exam, chest X-ray, and pulmonary function tests.
- Medical record retention
- Medical records must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years. Exposure monitoring records are kept for 30 years.
- Asbestos waste packaging
- Place waste in leak-tight containers (6-mil bags), seal with gooseneck, label with OSHA warning, and double-bag or use rigid containers for transport.
- Asbestos waste disposal
- Transport in covered vehicles to an EPA-approved landfill that accepts asbestos waste. Manifesting may be required. No visible emissions allowed during transport.
- Waste water disposal
- Liquid waste from decontamination must be filtered or treated before disposal. Do not discharge asbestos-laden water to sewers without permission.
- Personal air monitoring
- Samples collected in the breathing zone and analyzed by phase contrast microscopy (PCM) to determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure.
- Clearance air monitoring
- Final air sampling after abatement to ensure fiber levels are below clearance criteria. Requires visual inspection and may use aggressive sampling methods.
- AHERA clearance level
- 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter by PCM or 70 structures per square millimeter by TEM. Clearance must be performed by an independent certified inspector.