DC Asbestos Abatement flashcards
DC Asbestos Abatement · Build recall with a focused review session.
31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- DC worker certification issuer
- The District of Columbia asbestos abatement worker certification is issued through the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) occupational safety program. Workers must be certified before performing abatement work in DC.
- Minimum worker age
- Applicants for DC asbestos abatement worker certification must be at least 18 years old. Proof of age is part of the application package submitted to the agency.
- Required initial training hours
- Initial abatement worker training is typically a 32-hour (four-day) accredited course covering health effects, regulations, work practices, PPE, and decontamination. The certificate must show provider, dates, and hours.
- Annual refresher training
- Certified workers generally complete a one-day refresher course each year to renew certification. The refresher updates regulations and work practices and must come from an accredited provider.
- Accredited training provider
- Only courses from accredited training providers are accepted for DC certification. Verify accreditation before enrolling, because certificates from unaccredited courses are rejected during application review.
- Certification card on site
- Certified workers must carry their DC certification card at the job site and present it on request to regulators or the supervisor. Replacement cards are obtained through the issuing agency.
- Medical evaluation for respirator
- Certification and employment require a medical evaluation confirming the worker can wear a respirator. This supports OSHA respiratory protection and medical surveillance obligations for asbestos-exposed workers.
- Renewal before expiration
- Renewal applications, refresher training documentation, and fees must be submitted before the certification expires. A lapsed card means the worker cannot legally perform abatement until recertified.
- Primary exposure route
- Inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers is the primary exposure route of concern. Fibers deposited in the lungs can cause fibrosis and cancer; dermal contact is not the main risk.
- Mesothelioma latency period
- Mesothelioma usually develops 20 to 40 years after first asbestos exposure. Because of this long latency, exposures occurring today produce disease risk decades in the future.
- Asbestosis definition
- Asbestosis is progressive scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue caused by inhaled asbestos fibers. It reduces lung function and is associated with high cumulative exposure over years.
- Fiber dose formula
- Fiber dose equals airborne concentration multiplied by exposure duration multiplied by breathing rate. Higher fiber counts, longer tasks, and heavy exertion that promotes mouth breathing all raise dose.
- Smoking and asbestos synergy
- Cigarette smoking multiplies lung cancer risk in asbestos-exposed workers. Stopping smoking is a major independent risk reduction measure, though it does not replace exposure controls.
- Friable asbestos material
- Friable ACM can be crumbled or pulverized by hand pressure and releases fibers easily. Non-friable material releases fewer fibers unless cut, sanded, or damaged during work.
- High-risk disturbance activities
- Cutting, grinding, sanding, demolition, and dry sweeping of asbestos-containing material generate the highest airborne fiber levels. Wet methods and HEPA controls are required for these tasks.
- PLM versus PCM analysis
- Polarized light microscopy (PLM) identifies asbestos in bulk samples. Phase contrast microscopy (PCM) counts airborne fibers for monitoring, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms fiber type.
- Negative pressure requirement
- Containment must be kept under negative pressure with HEPA-filtered negative air machines providing at least four air changes per hour, so air flows into the work area rather than out.
- Critical barriers purpose
- Critical barriers are plastic seals over HVAC openings, windows, doors, and penetrations. They prevent fiber migration from the containment into occupied spaces and protect building systems.
- Wet removal method
- Asbestos material is thoroughly wetted before and during removal and kept wet until packaged. Wetting suppresses fiber release; dry sweeping and compressed air are prohibited.
- Three-stage decontamination unit
- A decontamination unit has a clean room, a shower, and an equipment or dirty room connected to the containment. Workers move dirty to clean and shower before exiting.
- Waste packaging and labeling
- Debris goes into sealed, impermeable bags or wrapped bundles bearing required asbestos warning labels. Waste is stored in a secured area and sent to an approved landfill.
- Clearance air monitoring
- Before containment removal, surfaces are HEPA-vacuumed and wet-wiped, a visual inspection is passed, and clearance air samples analyzed by PCM or TEM must meet the project limit.
- Containment inspection frequency
- Containment, negative pressure gauges, and airflow direction are checked at least daily and after any breach. Tears and seal failures are repaired immediately and documented in the project log.
- Hierarchy of controls
- Controls rank from substitution and enclosure through local exhaust, HEPA ventilation, and wet methods, with PPE last. PPE supplements engineering controls rather than replacing them.
- HEPA filter definition
- A HEPA filter removes at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter. HEPA vacuums and negative air machines are core engineering controls in abatement.
- Respirator filter class
- NIOSH-approved P100 (HEPA) filters are used on air-purifying respirators for abatement. PAPRs reduce breathing resistance during extended work in encapsulating protective clothing.
- Fit testing requirement
- Workers must pass a qualitative or quantitative fit test before respirator use and annually thereafter, plus perform a user seal check each time the respirator is donned.
- Protective clothing standard
- Disposable full-body coveralls with hood and booties are worn, often doubled with taped seams and cuffs. Gloves and eye protection are added based on task hazards.
- Exit decontamination sequence
- Workers HEPA-vacuum their suits, remove outer coveralls in the dirty room, shower while still wearing the respirator, then remove the respirator last in the clean room.
- Heat stress controls
- Encapsulating PPE raises heat stress risk. Use work-rest cycles, hydration, cooling measures, and buddy monitoring, and recognize early signs of heat exhaustion before heat stroke develops.
- Prohibited work-area activities
- Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing, and applying cosmetics are prohibited in the work area. These activities increase hand-to-mouth transfer and ingestion of asbestos fibers.