WARNING….OSHA Updates Asbestos & Lead Rules
OSHA UPDATES RULES; EFFECTIVE JUNE 1!
Surprise!
Effective June 1, 2015 OSHA has revised the Construction & General Industry Standards for both asbestos & lead. That includes new language for warning signs and waste labeling as well as other technical revisions. Here are relevant excerpts from the Construction standards pertaining to the labeling & warning signs since the waste labeling requirements kick in RIGHT AWAY. Visit our website to view and print the each of the asbestos and lead regulations
29 CFR 1926.1101 (Asbestos)
Effective 6/1/15 (next week!)
“The employer shall ensure that labels of bags or containers of protective clothing and equipment, scrap, waste, and debris containing asbestos fibers bear the following information:
DANGER
CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS
DO NOT BREATHE DUST
AVOID CREATING DUST”
This replaces…
“DANGER
CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
AVOID CREATING DUST
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD”
Effective June 1, 2016 (next year)
“Warning signs that demarcate the regulated area shall be provided and displayed at each location where a regulated area is required to be established by paragraph (e) of this section. Signs shall be posted at such a distance from such a location that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps before entering the area marked by the signs. The warning signs required by paragraph (k)(7) of this section shall bear the following information.
DANGER
ASBESTOS
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY”
This replaces…
“DANGER
ASBESTOS
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY”
29 CFR 1926.62 (Lead)
Effective June 1, 2015 (next week!)
“The employer shall ensure that the containers of contaminated protective clothing and equipment required by paragraph (g)(2)(v) of this section are labeled as follows:
DANGER: CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT CONTAMINATED WITH LEAD. MAY DAMAGE FERTILITY OR THE UNBORN CHILD. CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE WHEN HANDLING. DO NOT REMOVE DUST BY BLOWING OR SHAKING. DISPOSE OF LEAD CONTAMINATED WASH WATER IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL REGULATIONS.”
This replaces…
“Caution: Clothing contaminated with lead. Do not remove dust by blowing or shaking. Dispose of lead contaminated wash water in accordance with applicable local, state, or federal regulations.”
Effective June 1, 2016 (next year)
“The employer shall post the following warning signs in each work area where an employee’s exposure to lead is above the PEL.
DANGER
LEAD WORK AREA
MAY DAMAGE FERTILITY OR THE UNBORN CHILD
CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE IN THIS AREA”
This replaces…
“WARNING
LEAD WORK AREA
POISON
NO SMOKING OR EATING”
OSHA has updated language throughout each of the standards. Register and attend an upcoming EEA training session to learn about how these changes affect you!
Here’s dates for the next couple weeks. Visit environmentaleducation.com for a full list of sessions through August 2015.
Asbestos Supervisor Certification, June 1-5, Rochester, NY
Lead Worker Certification, June 1-2, Buffalo, NY
Lead Renovator Certification, June 1, Manhattan, NYC
Lead Renovator Refresher, June 2, Manhattan, NYC
Lead Renovator Refresher, June 4, Buffalo, NY
Asbestos Project Monitor Certification, June 8-12, Rochester, NY
Lead Renovator Certification, June 8, Buffalo, NY
Asbestos Supervisor Recertification, June 9, Buffalo, NY .
Lead Renovator Certification, June 10, Auburn (Bass Pro), NY
Have a safe and healthy start to the summer!