June 7, 2004 – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is informing all construction companies that they are required by law to provide asbestos awareness training for their employees who may contact, but do not disturb, asbestos-containing materials.  The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

A recent study by an environmental research group concluded that 10,000 Americans die each year from asbestos-related disease – and that many of the victims are in the construction trades.  

Construction trades routinely renovate and demolish buildings and, consequently, asbestos may be touched or disturbed.  Not only does this expose construction employees and the general public to significant health hazards, it also potentially exposes the companies involved to substantial legal liabilities.  Past experience indicates that much of the exposure is linked to workers who unknowingly remove or disturb asbestos-containing materials.

“Construction employees face a considerable risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease, and yet many are unaware of the hazards they face,” said DLEG Director David C. Hollister.  “Asbestos awareness training can significantly reduce asbestos exposures and related diseases.”

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used in more than 3,000 different products over the last 100 years for its insulating, acoustical and fire protective properties.  Common products that contain asbestos are pipe insulation, floor and ceiling tile, spray-on fireproofing and boiler wrap insulation.  Improper removal and/or disturbance of asbestos can cause asbestos fibers to become airborne.  Inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer, a lung disease known as "asbestosis," and mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities.

The MIOSHA Asbestos Program is launching an extensive education awareness campaign to address and prevent inadvertent exposure of employees and the general public to airborne asbestos fibers.  The MIOSHA asbestos standards require an asbestos building survey in buildings constructed prior to 1981. The Asbestos Standard for General Industry (Part 305) specifically requires an asbestos building survey at all worksite areas where asbestos may be contacted. The Asbestos Standard for Construction (Part 602) requires a survey of the worksite before construction work subject to the standard begins. It is the employer’s responsibility to obtain and review the building survey prior to conducting any work activities that may involve contact and/or disturbance of asbestos-containing material.

Employees such as mechanical systems workers, plumbers, HVAC workers, elevator maintenance workers, construction site cleanup workers, electricians, etc., may come in contact with asbestos-containing material and, therefore, must receive asbestos awareness training.  This training ensures that construction workers can recognize asbestos hazards and know not to disturb the material. 

The training must be at least two hours in length and must be conducted annually by qualified individual.  The training must cover the recognition of all building materials that may contain asbestos, the health hazards associated with asbestos exposure, and the MIOSHA regulations that must be followed if the work involves asbestos removal or disturbance activities.  If a company’s work activities require employees to actually disturb asbestos-containing material, additional training, work practices and engineering controls are mandated.

“The MIOSHA program is dedicated to providing outreach services to protect Michigan’s working men and women,” said MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski.  “We are encouraging every construction company to use all available resources, including the MIOSHA CET Division, to provide the required asbestos training.”

As part of the awareness campaign, the Asbestos Program is mailing information to 25,000 construction companies, informing them of the training requirements.  There are many approved asbestos training sponsors, construction trade associations, and environmental consultants who are qualified to provide this training.  A list of approved asbestos training providers is available on the Asbestos Program Web site at www.michigan.gov/asbestos.

The MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division is working with the Asbestos Program and conducting a significant outreach initiative to provide this training.  The CET Division is also partnering with trade associations and individual companies to sponsor the training.  Companies can contact the CET Division at 517.322.1809 for seminar dates, locations and partnering opportunities.

The Asbestos Program’s primary function is to ensure that people working with asbestos are properly trained and that workers performing asbestos disturbance and/or removal activities comply with rules governing the work activity. These rules are designed to protect not only the employee performing asbestos abatement work, but also the general public that occupies the areas or buildings where the work occurs. 

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth news releases.