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NC Asbestos Abatement study materials
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NC Asbestos Abatement practice questions

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Question 1Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Under North Carolina asbestos abatement rules, a project that disturbs how many linear feet of regulated asbestos-containing material on facility components triggers the notification requirement?

  1. 160 linear feet Correct answer.
  2. 260 linear feet
  3. 40 linear feet
  4. 320 linear feet

Explanation

The NC threshold for reporting a project involving regulated asbestos-containing material on facility components is 160 linear feet, matched with 260 square feet on other surfaces and 35 cubic feet of debris. These figures mirror the federal NESHAP trigger levels that North Carolina enforces through its own program.

Question 2Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

An abatement contractor is preparing to remove regulated asbestos-containing material from a school building in North Carolina. Which practice satisfies the wetting requirement before and during removal?

  1. Applying water once at the start of the shift
  2. Wetting only after the material is bagged
  3. Wetting the material with a fine mist of amended water until saturated Correct answer.
  4. Dry removal followed by a HEPA vacuum of the substrate

Explanation

Regulated asbestos-containing material must be saturated with amended water, meaning water containing a wetting agent, before and continually during removal to suppress fiber release. Dry removal and dry cleanup are prohibited because they liberate airborne fibers.

Question 3Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

What is the required air-filtration efficiency rating for HEPA vacuum equipment used during asbestos abatement in North Carolina?

  1. 99 percent at 0.3 micron
  2. 99.97 percent at 0.3 micron Correct answer.
  3. 99.97 percent at 5.0 micron
  4. 95 percent at 0.3 micron

Explanation

HEPA filtration for asbestos work must capture 99.97 percent of particles at 0.3 micron in diameter, which is the standard definition of a high-efficiency particulate air filter. Lower ratings do not qualify equipment for abatement or final cleaning use.

Question 4Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A worker enters a regulated work area during abatement and is exposed above the permissible exposure limit. Which respiratory protection is minimally required under NC occupational safety rules for that exposure level?

  1. A full-facepiece supplied-air respirator in pressure-demand mode
  2. A disposable dust mask rated N95
  3. A powered air-purifying respirator with a loose-fitting hood
  4. A half-mask air-purifying respirator with HEPA cartridges Correct answer.

Explanation

For exposures up to ten times the permissible exposure limit, a half-mask air-purifying respirator equipped with HEPA filters is the minimum acceptable protection for asbestos. Higher exposure concentrations require progressively higher assigned protection factors.

Question 5Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which document must a North Carolina abatement contractor provide to building occupants and employees before a regulated abatement project begins?

  1. A signed waiver releasing the owner from liability
  2. A materials safety data sheet for the encapsulant
  3. A copy of the contractor's general liability policy
  4. A written notification of the project describing the scope and schedule Correct answer.

Explanation

Occupants and employees must receive written notice of the project that identifies the scope, location, and schedule so they can avoid the regulated area. A liability waiver or insurance certificate does not substitute for this notice.

Question 6Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

During a final visual inspection, a small amount of visible dust remains on a beam inside the containment. What is the correct course of action?

  1. Proceed to clearance air sampling without cleaning
  2. Seal the beam with paint and pass the inspection
  3. Pass the inspection because the dust is outside the work zone
  4. Re-clean the surface and repeat the visual inspection Correct answer.

Explanation

Clearance requires that no visible residue remain anywhere inside the containment; any dust means the area must be recleaned and reinspected before air sampling. Encapsulating residue does not satisfy the visual clearance criterion.

Question 7Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A contractor must dispose of asbestos-containing debris in North Carolina. Which labeling is required on the waste containers?

  1. A warning label identifying the waste as asbestos-containing Correct answer.
  2. No label if the container is opaque
  3. A label with the generator's phone number only
  4. A label reading 'Construction Debris'

Explanation

Waste containers holding asbestos-containing material must bear a warning label that clearly identifies the asbestos hazard, and the waste must be transported with the required manifest. Generic debris labels and unlabeled opaque containers do not satisfy the rule.

Question 8Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

An inspector collects a bulk sample from a pipe insulation. Which sampling practice best ensures the sample represents the material?

  1. Collect only the surface dust near the pipe
  2. Collect a composite of several points through the material's full thickness Correct answer.
  3. Collect a sample after the insulation has been wetted and sealed
  4. Collect a single pinch from the outer jacket

Explanation

A representative bulk sample should include material from multiple locations and the full depth of the material so that layers and binders are captured. Sampling only the jacket or surface dust can miss asbestos in the interior.

Question 9Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which condition most strongly indicates that a containment's negative pressure system is functioning correctly?

  1. A steady stream of air escaping through the doorway
  2. A visible outward bulge of the plastic sheeting
  3. A slight inward deflection of the plastic sheeting on the barrier Correct answer.
  4. Condensation forming on the interior plastic

Explanation

Negative pressure causes flexible containment walls to deflect inward toward the work area, confirming that air flows from clean to dirty zones. An outward bulge or escaping air at the doorway indicates the pressure differential is reversed or lost.

Question 10Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A supervisor is deciding whether a material is a regulated asbestos-containing material. Which criterion controls that determination?

  1. The age of the building
  2. The material's color and texture
  3. The manufacturer's brand name
  4. The percentage of asbestos and whether it is friable or will be disturbed Correct answer.

Explanation

Regulated asbestos-containing material is determined by the asbestos content together with friability and the likelihood of disturbance during the project. Appearance, building age, and brand name are not the controlling criteria.

Question 11Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which work practice is required when removing a large section of friable asbestos-containing material from a boiler?

  1. Lowering the material in sealed, labeled bags through a decontamination unit Correct answer.
  2. Removing the material dry to avoid electrical hazards
  3. Dropping the material into an open chute to the ground floor
  4. Breaking the material into small pieces to speed removal

Explanation

Friable material must be kept saturated and passed out of the containment in sealed, labeled containers through the decontamination sequence. Dropping material, breaking it up, or dry removal all increase fiber release and violate work practice standards.

Question 12Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

An abatement worker exits the regulated area after removing a respirator. What is the correct sequence for leaving the decontamination unit?

  1. Remove respirator in the equipment room, then shower in the clean room Correct answer.
  2. Shower with the respirator on, then remove it in the equipment room
  3. Remove respirator in the clean room, then shower in the dirty room
  4. Remove respirator in the work area, then walk through the shower

Explanation

Respirators are removed in the equipment room before entering the shower, and the worker showers before dressing in the clean room. Removing the respirator in a dirty area exposes the worker to residual contamination.

Question 13Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which air monitoring result is used to demonstrate that a containment has achieved clearance after abatement?

  1. Samples collected outside the building perimeter
  2. Personal breathing-zone samples taken during removal
  3. Wipe samples from the contractor's vehicle
  4. Area samples collected inside the containment after final cleaning Correct answer.

Explanation

Clearance is demonstrated by area air samples collected inside the containment after final cleaning and visual inspection have been completed. Personal samples measure worker exposure during removal and cannot serve as clearance evidence.

Question 14Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A building owner plans renovation work that will disturb asbestos-containing floor tile. Which classification applies to the tile if it is intact and unlikely to be crumbled?

  1. Friable material
  2. Category II nonfriable material
  3. Category I nonfriable material Correct answer.
  4. Regulated asbestos-containing material by definition

Explanation

Intact floor tile is classified as Category I nonfriable material, which becomes regulated only when it is sanded, ground, or otherwise made friable. Category II covers materials such as asbestos cement that are more likely to become friable under demolition.

Question 15Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which engineering control is required for an abatement project that involves removing more than 25 linear feet of asbestos-containing material from a facility?

  1. A sealed containment with negative pressure and HEPA exhaust Correct answer.
  2. A portable fan blowing air out of the work area
  3. A water spray applied only to the floor
  4. Open windows for natural ventilation

Explanation

Removal work requires a sealed containment maintained under negative pressure with HEPA-filtered exhaust so that any air leaving the area is filtered. Fans blowing outward, natural ventilation, or floor-only wetting do not control fiber migration.

Question 16Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A worker's 8-hour time-weighted average exposure to asbestos is measured at 0.2 fibers per cubic centimeter. How does this compare with the permissible exposure limit?

  1. It exceeds the limit by a factor of two
  2. It cannot be compared without a 30-minute sample
  3. It is below the limit of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter Correct answer.
  4. It equals the limit exactly

Explanation

The permissible exposure limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter, so a result of 0.2 exceeds it rather than falling below. The excursion limit of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter applies to 30-minute samples.

Question 17Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A contractor is setting up a decontamination unit. Which arrangement correctly separates clean and dirty functions?

  1. Shower, clean room, equipment room in sequence from outside to inside
  2. Equipment room, clean room, shower in sequence from outside to inside
  3. A single room serving all three functions
  4. Clean room, shower, equipment room in sequence from outside to inside Correct answer.

Explanation

Workers move from the work area into the equipment room, then the shower, then the clean room, so the clean room sits on the outside end of the sequence. A single combined room cannot prevent cross-contamination.

Question 18Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

An abatement project is delayed and the containment remains in place for several weeks. What is the most significant risk of leaving a negative-pressure containment unattended?

  1. Increased energy costs from running the HEPA units
  2. Reduced worker morale
  3. Loss of pressure differential and undetected fiber release Correct answer.
  4. Damage to the plastic from sunlight

Explanation

An unattended containment can lose its negative pressure if equipment fails or the barrier is damaged, allowing asbestos fibers to migrate into occupied spaces without detection. Energy cost and morale are not health-protective concerns.

Question 19Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A building owner receives a bulk sample report showing 1 percent chrysotile in joint compound. How should the material be treated under NC rules?

  1. As asbestos-containing material because any detectable asbestos triggers regulation Correct answer.
  2. As asbestos-containing material only if it is friable
  3. As non-asbestos material if it is painted over
  4. As non-asbestos material because the content is below 5 percent

Explanation

There is no threshold percentage below which asbestos content is ignored; material containing any detectable asbestos is treated as asbestos-containing. Friability and paint coverage affect work practices, not the classification.

Question 20Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A contractor plans to remove asbestos-containing roofing material using a mechanical chipping tool. Which classification and requirement apply?

  1. Category I friable, which may be disposed of as ordinary waste
  2. Friable material, which requires no wetting
  3. Category I nonfriable, no special handling required
  4. Category II nonfriable, which becomes regulated when the tool makes it friable Correct answer.

Explanation

Roofing material is generally Category II nonfriable, and mechanical chipping that crumbles it makes it regulated, triggering wetting, containment, and disposal requirements. It is not exempt simply because it was initially nonfriable.

Question 21Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

During clearance air sampling, one of four samples exceeds the clearance limit while the others are well below it. What is the correct interpretation?

  1. The project passes because three of four samples were acceptable
  2. The project passes because the average is below the limit
  3. The project fails clearance and requires recleaning and resampling Correct answer.
  4. The project passes if the high sample was collected near the door

Explanation

Clearance is evaluated against the limit for each sample, so a single result above the limit fails clearance regardless of the average. The area must be recleaned, re-visually inspected, and resampled.

Question 22Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which personal protective equipment is required for a worker performing final cleaning inside a containment?

  1. Street clothes with a dust mask
  2. A full-facepiece respirator with no body protection
  3. Disposable coveralls, gloves, boots, and a HEPA respirator Correct answer.
  4. Coveralls only, with no respiratory protection

Explanation

Final cleaning still occurs inside the regulated area, so workers need full-body protection plus HEPA respiratory protection. Street clothes, a dust mask, or respiratory protection without body covering leave skin and clothing exposed.

Question 23Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

What is the purpose of amended water in asbestos abatement?

  1. To disinfect the work area
  2. To reduce surface tension so the water wets fibers and suppresses release Correct answer.
  3. To speed the drying of the material
  4. To dissolve the asbestos fibers

Explanation

Amended water contains a wetting agent that lowers surface tension, allowing the water to penetrate and saturate the material so fibers are less likely to become airborne. It does not disinfect, dissolve fibers, or accelerate drying.

Question 24Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which record must an abatement contractor retain to document that employees received required asbestos training?

  1. The building owner's deed
  2. A signed training certificate or record for each employee Correct answer.
  3. The contractor's bonding certificate
  4. A copy of the project specification

Explanation

Training records, including certificates or signed documentation for each employee, demonstrate that workers met the required training before performing abatement. Project specifications and business documents do not show individual training.

Question 25Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which practice is appropriate for transporting asbestos-containing waste in North Carolina?

  1. Shipping in open trucks to allow ventilation
  2. Shipping in unlabeled drums to avoid public concern
  3. Shipping in sealed, labeled containers with a waste manifest Correct answer.
  4. Shipping with household trash to reduce cost

Explanation

Waste must be sealed, labeled, and accompanied by a manifest that tracks it to an approved disposal site. Open trucks, unlabeled drums, and mixing with household trash all violate containment and tracking requirements.

Question 26Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Under the OSHA asbestos standards, what does the term 'regulated area' designate at an abatement worksite?

  1. Only the sealed containment enclosure itself, excluding the decontamination unit
  2. Any area where asbestos exposure is or may be above the permissible exposure limit or where work is being done on asbestos-containing material Correct answer.
  3. The equipment room and waste staging area outside the containment
  4. The entire building floor where abatement is occurring, regardless of measured exposure levels

Explanation

A regulated area is established wherever airborne asbestos concentrations are or may reasonably be expected to exceed the permissible exposure limit, and wherever asbestos work is performed. It must be demarcated and limited to authorized personnel wearing appropriate respiratory protection.

Question 27Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A worker must wear a respirator inside a containment. Which program element is required before the worker may wear a tight-fitting negative-pressure respirator?

  1. Only a signed waiver acknowledging the risks of respirator use
  2. A medical evaluation and a fit test with the same make, model, and size respirator Correct answer.
  3. A physician's note confirming the worker has no history of asthma
  4. Annual training on respirator donning performed by a coworker

Explanation

OSHA requires a medical evaluation before fit testing or use, and fit testing must be done with the same make, model, style, and size the worker will wear. Fit testing ensures an adequate seal, which tight-fitting respirators depend on for protection.

Question 28Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Why is amended water used during asbestos abatement rather than plain water?

  1. It chemically dissolves asbestos fibers into harmless compounds
  2. Surfactants reduce surface tension so the water wets fibers and suppresses release of airborne fibers Correct answer.
  3. It prevents the growth of mold on wet building materials
  4. It eliminates the need for respiratory protection inside the containment

Explanation

Amended water contains a surfactant that lowers surface tension, allowing the liquid to penetrate and wet asbestos fibers so they are less likely to become airborne. It does not destroy the fibers, so it does not remove the need for other controls.

Question 29Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which practice is appropriate when packaging asbestos-containing waste for transport?

  1. Double-bag the waste but remove all labeling so scavengers are not attracted
  2. Seal the waste in leak-tight containers that are labeled as containing asbestos and keep them closed during transport Correct answer.
  3. Store waste in unlabeled bags until the end of the project, then label the truck
  4. Place dry debris loosely in an open dumpster so it can be inspected at the landfill

Explanation

Asbestos waste must be placed in sealed, leak-tight containers and marked with the required asbestos warning so handlers and disposal site personnel are informed. Containers must remain closed during transport to prevent fiber release.

Question 30Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which document establishes the scope of an abatement project, including the location, quantity, and type of asbestos-containing material to be removed?

  1. The abatement project design or specification prepared for the project Correct answer.
  2. The respirator fit test record
  3. The employee training certificate
  4. The waste manifest

Explanation

The project design or specification describes what material is to be removed, where it is, and how the work is to be performed. Other records document worker qualifications or waste tracking but do not define project scope.

Question 31Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

What is the primary purpose of building a decontamination unit with a clean room, shower, and equipment room?

  1. To serve as the project office for the supervisor
  2. To provide a break area for workers during long shifts
  3. To store tools and supplies in a climate-controlled space
  4. To prevent workers from carrying asbestos fibers out of the regulated area on clothing, equipment, or skin Correct answer.

Explanation

The decontamination sequence is designed so workers remove contaminated clothing and shower before entering clean areas, preventing fiber migration out of the regulated area. Each room serves a specific step in that transition.

Question 32Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which type of asbestos-containing material is most likely to release fibers when disturbed by hand because it can be crumbled or pulverized easily?

  1. Material bound in asphalt roofing cement
  2. Material encapsulated behind a sealed wall
  3. Friable material such as sprayed-on insulation Correct answer.
  4. Non-friable material such as intact floor tile

Explanation

Friability describes how easily a material can be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Friable materials such as sprayed insulation release fibers readily when disturbed, while intact non-friable materials release fewer fibers unless they are cut, sanded, or broken.

Question 33Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which action best protects building occupants when abatement work occurs in an occupied building?

  1. Post signs at the building entrance and continue work with doors open for ventilation
  2. Schedule work during hours when occupants are present so they can observe the process
  3. Seal and isolate the work area with critical barriers and maintain negative pressure relative to occupied spaces Correct answer.
  4. Rely on the building's HVAC system to dilute fibers throughout the building

Explanation

Critical barriers isolate the work area from occupied spaces, and negative pressure keeps air flowing into the containment rather than out of it. Dilution by HVAC is not an acceptable substitute for isolation.

Question 34Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A worker has completed removal of asbestos-containing pipe insulation. Which step must occur before the containment is cleared for dismantling?

  1. Final cleaning followed by visual inspection and clearance air sampling meeting the project criteria Correct answer.
  2. Application of a sealant over any remaining debris
  3. Immediate removal of the critical barriers to increase ventilation
  4. Removal of the negative pressure machine to allow dust to settle

Explanation

Clearance requires that surfaces be cleaned, pass a visual inspection, and that air sampling results meet the established clearance criteria. Only then may the containment be taken down.

Question 35Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A contractor is removing asbestos-containing gaskets from valves using hand tools. Which work practice most directly reduces fiber release at the point of removal?

  1. Removing the gaskets dry and collecting debris afterward
  2. Wetting the gasket and surrounding surfaces with amended water before and during removal Correct answer.
  3. Heating the gasket to soften it before removal
  4. Striking the gasket sharply with a hammer to break it free

Explanation

Wetting with amended water suppresses fiber release at the point of disturbance and is a fundamental work practice for small-scale removal. Dry removal and impact tools increase airborne fiber concentrations.

Question 36Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

During abatement, a worker notices a tear in the plastic sheeting on the containment wall. What is the most appropriate immediate response?

  1. Continue working and repair the tear at the end of the shift
  2. Stop work in the area, repair the breach with additional sheeting and tape, and verify negative pressure is maintained Correct answer.
  3. Cover the tear with a warning sign and continue work
  4. Increase the airflow of the negative pressure machine to compensate

Explanation

A breach in containment compromises the barrier that keeps fibers from escaping, so work in the affected area should stop until the breach is repaired and pressure is verified. Delaying repair allows contamination to migrate.

Question 37Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which factor most affects the selection of respiratory protection for an abatement task?

  1. The anticipated airborne fiber concentration and the assigned protection factor of the respirator Correct answer.
  2. The number of workers on the crew
  3. The color of the worker's hard hat
  4. The distance from the containment to the waste dumpster

Explanation

Respirator selection is based on the exposure level expected or measured and the protection factor the respirator provides, so that the exposure inside the respirator stays below the permissible limit. Crew size and site logistics do not determine the class of respirator needed.

Question 38Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A supervisor is reviewing exposure monitoring results for a crew. Which result would require the employer to establish a regulated area and provide respiratory protection?

  1. A single short task with no measurable fibers
  2. Any detectable fiber count below the limit
  3. A result collected outside the containment during a break
  4. An 8-hour time-weighted average at or above the permissible exposure limit Correct answer.

Explanation

When exposures reach or exceed the permissible exposure limit, the employer must establish regulated areas, provide respiratory protection, and comply with other requirements of the asbestos standard. Results below the limit may still trigger monitoring or training obligations but not the same controls.

Question 39Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which control method involves sealing the surface of asbestos-containing material with a coating to prevent fiber release without removing the material?

  1. Encapsulation Correct answer.
  2. Demolition
  3. Enclosure
  4. Removal

Explanation

Encapsulation applies a sealant that penetrates or coats the material to bind fibers and prevent release. Enclosure instead builds a physical barrier around the material, and removal takes the material out entirely.

Question 40Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

When must an asbestos waste shipment be accompanied by a completed waste manifest?

  1. Each time regulated asbestos waste is transported off site for disposal Correct answer.
  2. Only when the waste exceeds one ton
  3. Only when the waste crosses a state line
  4. Only when the landfill requests it in advance

Explanation

A waste manifest tracks regulated asbestos waste from the generator to the disposal facility and must accompany each shipment. It documents the chain of custody and confirms proper disposal.

Question 41Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A worker is assigned to remove asbestos-containing floor tile using a low-speed floor scraper. Why is this method preferred over high-speed grinding?

  1. Low-speed methods generate less dust and heat, reducing fiber release and avoiding melting of the mastic Correct answer.
  2. High-speed grinding is prohibited for all floor coverings
  3. High-speed tools are only allowed outdoors
  4. Low-speed scrapers eliminate the need for wetting

Explanation

High-speed grinding and sanding can generate heat that melts mastic and creates fine dust, increasing fiber release. Low-speed scraping with wetting minimizes both dust and heat generation.

Question 42Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

What is the purpose of a critical barrier in an asbestos abatement containment?

  1. To seal openings such as doorways, windows, and HVAC vents that connect the work area to occupied spaces Correct answer.
  2. To provide a surface for posting warning signs
  3. To separate clean tools from contaminated tools inside the containment
  4. To support the weight of the plastic sheeting on the ceiling

Explanation

Critical barriers seal openings that could allow air and fibers to move between the work area and occupied spaces. They are a key part of isolation, particularly when HVAC systems or doorways are present.

Question 43Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

An abatement worker's clothing is visibly contaminated with dust after removal work. What is the correct action before the worker leaves the regulated area?

  1. Shake the dust off outside the containment and change clothes at home
  2. Vacuum the clothing with a HEPA vacuum while wearing it and leave through the clean room
  3. Remove contaminated clothing in the dirty room, shower, and put on clean clothing before entering the clean room Correct answer.
  4. Leave the regulated area immediately and change in the parking lot

Explanation

Contaminated clothing must be removed in the dirty side of the decontamination unit, followed by a shower, before the worker dresses in clean clothing on the clean side. This sequence prevents fibers from being carried out.

Question 44Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Which statement correctly describes the difference between a negative pressure enclosure and a negative pressure glove bag system?

  1. The enclosure does not require air filtration, while the glove bag does
  2. The glove bag requires no negative pressure machine because it is sealed
  3. The enclosure is used only outdoors, while the glove bag is used only indoors
  4. The enclosure contains a room-sized work area, while the glove bag encloses a small component such as a valve or pipe section Correct answer.

Explanation

A negative pressure enclosure is a large containment for room-scale work, while a glove bag is a portable enclosure that fits over a small component and is placed under negative pressure with a HEPA vacuum. Both use filtration to control fiber release.

Question 45Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A contractor is preparing a containment for abatement of sprayed-on ceiling material in a school. Which combination of controls is most appropriate?

  1. Open windows for cross-ventilation and a single layer of plastic on the floor
  2. Positive pressure inside the work area to push fibers away from workers
  3. A warning sign at the door and dry removal with no containment
  4. Critical barriers, negative pressure with HEPA filtration, amended water wetting, and a three-stage decontamination unit Correct answer.

Explanation

Friable sprayed-on material in an occupied building requires full containment with critical barriers, HEPA-filtered negative pressure, wetting, and proper decontamination. These controls work together to keep fibers out of occupied spaces and off workers.

Question 46Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A supervisor reviews air sampling data and finds that one personal sample exceeds the permissible exposure limit while others are below it. What is the most appropriate interpretation?

  1. The result indicates the sampling pump was faulty
  2. The employer must treat the affected employee as exposed above the limit and implement required protections for that employee Correct answer.
  3. The entire crew must be evacuated from the site permanently
  4. The single result can be disregarded because the majority of samples were below the limit

Explanation

Exposure determinations are made for each employee, so a result above the limit for one worker triggers the standard's requirements for that worker, including respiratory protection and regulated-area controls. Averages across a crew do not override an individual overexposure.

Question 47Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

During abatement of a large boiler, a worker must remove insulation from an overhead pipe. Which combination best reduces both worker exposure and the spread of contamination?

  1. Cut the insulation with a power saw to speed removal
  2. Allow debris to accumulate on the floor until the end of the shift
  3. Remove the insulation dry and quickly to shorten the exposure time
  4. Wet the insulation before and during removal, work from a controlled position, and drop debris into sealed containers rather than letting it fall Correct answer.

Explanation

Wetting the material suppresses fiber release, controlled positioning keeps the worker out of the dust plume, and immediate containerization prevents debris from being disturbed again. Speed and power tools increase fiber generation.

Question 48Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A building owner is planning demolition of a structure known to contain asbestos-containing materials. What is the most appropriate course of action before demolition?

  1. Wet the structure during demolition and rely on water to control fibers
  2. Assume the material is non-friable because the building is old
  3. Conduct a thorough inspection and remove regulated asbestos-containing material before demolition or renovation begins Correct answer.
  4. Proceed with demolition and remove asbestos debris from the rubble afterward

Explanation

Regulated asbestos-containing material must be identified and removed before demolition or renovation that would disturb it. Wetting during demolition does not substitute for removal, and age does not determine friability.

Question 49Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

A worker wearing a half-mask respirator reports that the seal leaks when he turns his head. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Tighten the straps as much as possible and continue the task
  2. Continue working but breathe only through the mouth
  3. Stop the task, leave the regulated area, and have the respirator refitted or replaced before returning to work Correct answer.
  4. Wear a second respirator over the first to improve the seal

Explanation

A leaking seal means the respirator is not providing the expected protection, so the worker must leave the regulated area and be refitted or given a different respirator. Continuing work with a compromised seal defeats the purpose of respiratory protection.

Question 50Asbestos hazard management and abatement (general)

Under OSHA's asbestos standards for construction, what is the eight-hour time-weighted average permissible exposure limit for asbestos fibers?

  1. 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air Correct answer.
  2. 5.0 fibers per cubic centimeter of air
  3. 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter of air
  4. 0.01 fiber per cubic centimeter of air

Explanation

The OSHA construction standard sets the eight-hour TWA PEL at 0.1 f/cc, averaged over an eight-hour shift. The excursion limit of 1.0 f/cc applies to any 30-minute sampling period, which is a separate ceiling-style limit.