ASTM E2394-11(2020)e1
(Practice)Standard Practice for Maintenance, Renovation, and Repair of Installed Asbestos Cement Products
Standard Practice for Maintenance, Renovation, and Repair of Installed Asbestos Cement Products
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers has been shown to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
5.1.1 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that “Effects on the lung are a major health concern from asbestos, as chronic (long-term) exposure to asbestos in humans via inhalation can result in a lung disease termed asbestosis. Asbestosis is characterized by shortness of breath and cough and may lead to severe impairment of respiratory function. Cancer is also a major concern from asbestos exposure, as inhalation exposure can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the thin membranes lining the abdominal cavity and surrounding internal organs), and possibly gastrointestinal cancers in humans. EPA has classified asbestos as a Group A, known human carcinogen” (1).4
5.1.2 The World Health Organization states: “Exposure to asbestos occurs through inhalation of fibres primarily from contaminated air in the working environment, as well as from ambient air in the vicinity of point sources, or indoor air in housing and buildings containing friable asbestos materials. The highest levels of exposure occur during repackaging of asbestos containers, mixing with other raw materials and dry cutting of asbestos-containing products with abrasive tools” (2).
5.1.3 The World Bank states: “Health hazards from breathing asbestos dust include asbestosis, a lung scarring disease, and various forms of cancer (including lung cancer and mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum). These diseases usually arise decades after the onset of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma, a signal tumor for asbestos exposure, occurs among workers’ family members from dust on the workers’ clothes and among neighbors of asbestos air pollution point sources” (3).
5.2 Extensive litigation has occurred worldwide as a result of the health effects of asbestos over the past century, resulting in considerable economic consequences. The regulatory response to asbestos haza...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes work practices for asbestos-cement products when maintenance, renovation, and repair are required. This includes common tasks such as drilling and cutting holes in roofing, siding, pipes, etc. that can result in exposure to asbestos fibers if not done carefully. These work practices are supplemented and facilitated by the regulatory, contractual, training, and supervisory provisions of this practice.
1.2 Materials covered include those installed in or on buildings and facilities and those used in external infrastructure such as water, wastewater, and electrical distribution systems. Also included is pavement made from asbestos-cement manufacturing waste.
1.3 The work practices described herein are intended for use only with asbestos-cement products already installed in buildings, facilities, and external infrastructure. They are not intended for use in construction or renovation involving the installation of new asbestos-cement products.
1.4 The work practices are primarily intended to be used in situations where small amounts of asbestos-cement products must be removed or disturbed in order to perform maintenance, renovation, or repair necessary for operation of the building, facility, or infrastructure.
1.5 The work practices described herein are also applicable for use where the primary objective is the removal of asbestos-cement products from the building or other location, particularly the use of wet methods and other means of dust and fiber control.
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.7 Warning—Asbestos fibers are acknowledged carcinogens. Breathing asbestos fibers can result in disease of the lungs including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Precautions in this practice should b...
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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Designation: E2394 − 11 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Practice for
Maintenance, Renovation, and Repair of Installed Asbestos
Cement Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2394; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ε NOTE—Keywords were added editorially in January 2020.
1. Scope conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
1.1 This practice describes work practices for asbestos-
cement products when maintenance, renovation, and repair are 1.7 Warning—Asbestos fibers are acknowledged carcino-
required. This includes common tasks such as drilling and gens. Breathing asbestos fibers can result in disease of the
cutting holes in roofing, siding, pipes, etc. that can result in lungs including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
exposure to asbestos fibers if not done carefully. These work Precautions in this practice should be taken to avoid creating
practices are supplemented and facilitated by the regulatory, andbreathingairborneasbestosparticlesfrommaterialsknown
contractual, training, and supervisory provisions of this prac- or suspected to contain asbestos. Comply with all applicable
tice. regulatory requirements addressing asbestos.
1.2 Materials covered include those installed in or on 1.8 This practice does not address safety hazards associated
buildingsandfacilitiesandthoseusedinexternalinfrastructure with working on asbestos-cement products such as falling
such as water, wastewater, and electrical distribution systems. through roof panels or trench cave-ins. The use of power tools
Also included is pavement made from asbestos-cement manu- presents possible electrical hazards, particularly in wet envi-
facturing waste. ronments. These and other safety hazards must be considered
and controlled in compliance with the employer’s policies and
1.3 Theworkpracticesdescribedhereinareintendedforuse
applicable regulations.
only with asbestos-cement products already installed in
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
buildings, facilities, and external infrastructure. They are not
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
intended for use in construction or renovation involving the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
installation of new asbestos-cement products.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.4 The work practices are primarily intended to be used in
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
situations where small amounts of asbestos-cement products
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
mustberemovedordisturbedinordertoperformmaintenance,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
renovation, or repair necessary for operation of the building,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
facility, or infrastructure.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.5 The work practices described herein are also applicable
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
for use where the primary objective is the removal of asbestos-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cement products from the building or other location, particu-
2. Referenced Documents
larly the use of wet methods and other means of dust and fiber
control.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1368 Practice for Visual Inspection ofAsbestosAbatement
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Projects
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
E2356 Practice for Comprehensive Building Asbestos Sur-
veys
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.07 on Sampling, Analysis,
Management of Asbestos, and Other Microscopic Particles. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2020. Published February 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E2394 – 11. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E2394-11R20E01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E2394 − 11 (2020)
2.2 Other Standards: replaced with asbestos-free materials, this practice provides
Guidance Manual Asbestos Operations and Maintenance techniques for maintenance, renovation, and repair operations
Work Practices that are most protective of worker and community health.
4.3 While the provisions of this practice can apply to
3. Terminology
abatement projects whose purpose is removal of the asbestos-
3.1 Definitions:
cement products, such work may involve the handling of large,
3.1.1 amended water, n—water to which a surfactant has
heavypiecesofmaterialwithmechanizedequipmentthatisnot
been added to reduce surface tension.
discussed in this practice.
3.1.2 asbestos, n—the asbestiform varieties of serpentinite
4.4 Iftheworkcanbedonewithoutdisturbinganyasbestos-
(chrysotile), riebeckite (crocidolite), cummingtonite-grunerite
cement products, that is the most desirable course of action to
(amosite), anthophyllite, and actinolite-tremolite.
reduce the potential for exposure to asbestos fibers. Before
3.1.3 asbestos-cement products, n—materials containing as-
commencing any work involving materials that are suspected
bestos fiber added during the manufacturing process to cement of containing asbestos, ask if there is reliable information
and other binders or fillers, including pavement made from available to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos in the
waste material produced by this manufacturing process.
product. (See 8.1.1 and 8.1.2.)
3.1.4 asbestos-containing materials, n—material containing
4.5 This practice includes supporting information and gen-
more than one percent asbestos.
eral precautions applicable to the materials and work practices
covered to enhance their understanding by the user. These
3.1.5 dust and debris, n—visible particles, fragments, or
sections are intended for users with a sufficient technical
chunks of material, large enough to have settled in the work
background to benefit from the material contained therein, and
area by virtue of their weight, that are presumed to have
who are probably in a supervisory, management, or other
originated from asbestos-containing material.
official capacity within their organization. The appendices
3.1.6 friable material, n—material easily crumbled or pow-
contain detailed step-by-step instructions for selected proce-
dered by moderate (hand) pressure; also weakly-bound and
dures and materials, and it is expected that these instructions
low-density materials.
will either be provided to workers in writing or explained to
3.1.7 non-friable material, n—material not easily crumbled
them verbally by their supervisors.
or powdered by moderate (hand) pressure; also strongly-bound
4.6 This practice does not require compliance with the
and high-density materials.
regulations of any specific governmental agency, although
3.1.8 thickened substance, n—a liquid with sufficient den-
excerpts and references are included. It is expected that users
sity and viscosity to capture dust and debris released from a
of this practice will comply with all applicable regulations in
material during one of the operations described in Section 7.
their country and other governmental jurisdiction thereof.
4. Summary of Practice
5. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice describes the following aspects of
5.1 The inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers has been
maintenance, renovation, and repair operations involving in-
shown to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
stalled asbestos-cement products:
5.1.1 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports
4.1.1 The characteristics of asbestos-cement products com-
that “Effects on the lung are a major health concern from
monly found in buildings, facilities, and external infrastructure
asbestos, as chronic (long-term) exposure to asbestos in hu-
such as utilities.
mans via inhalation can result in a lung disease termed
4.1.2 Maintenance, renovation, and repair operations that
asbestosis. Asbestosis is characterized by shortness of breath
can result in the release of airborne asbestos fibers and the
and cough and may lead to severe impairment of respiratory
creation of asbestos-containing dust and debris.
function. Cancer is also a major concern from asbestos
4.1.3 Methods for controlling the release of airborne asbes-
exposure, as inhalation exposure can cause lung cancer and
tos fibers and minimizing the creation of asbestos-containing
mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the thin membranes lining the
dust and debris.
abdominal cavity and surrounding internal organs), and possi-
4.1.4 Methods of determining and minimizing worker and
bly gastrointestinal cancers in humans. EPA has classified
community exposure to airborne asbestos fibers from these
asbestos as a Group A, known human carcinogen” (1).
materials and operations.
5.1.2 The World Health Organization states: “Exposure to
4.2 This practice accepts the premise that removal of
asbestos occurs through inhalation of fibres primarily from
asbestos-cement products is always the preferred approach
contaminated air in the working environment, as well as from
because it eliminates the potential for exposure to asbestos
ambient air in the vicinity of point sources, or indoor air in
fibers, but also acknowledges that removal is not always
housing and buildings containing friable asbestos materials.
feasible or the most advantageous course of action. In situa-
The highest levels of exposure occur during repackaging of
tions where asbestos-cement products cannot be removed and
3 4
Available from National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), 1090 Vermont The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington DC 20005-4905, https://www.nibs.org. this standard.
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E2394 − 11 (2020)
asbestos containers, mixing with other raw materials and dry suppliers. The techniques require careful and diligent work-
cutting of asbestos-containing products with abrasive tools” manship but do not require the services of highly-skilled
(2). tradesmen.
5.1.3 The World Bank states: “Health hazards from breath-
5.6 This practice is intended to be used not only by
ing asbestos dust include asbestosis, a lung scarring disease,
constructionworkersandtradesmenintheperformanceoftheir
and various forms of cancer (including lung cancer and
work, but also by building owners and others as the basis for
mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum). These diseases
preparing contracts and tenders for activities included in the
usually arise decades after the onset of asbestos exposure.
scope of this practice. It will also provide a foundation for
Mesothelioma, a signal tumor for asbestos exposure, occurs
government officials to develop regulations intended to protect
among workers’ family members from dust on the workers’
worker and community health. Where such regulations already
clothes and among neighbors of asbestos air pollution point
exist, of necessity they take precedence over this practice in
sources” (3).
event of a conflict.
5.2 Extensive litigation has occurred worldwide as a result
5.7 Thepersonswhoaremostatriskofexposuretoairborne
of the health effects of asbestos over the past century, resulting
asbestosfibersarethosewhoperformworkonasbestos-cement
in considerable economic consequences. The regulatory re-
products during maintenance, renovation, and repair opera-
sponse to asbestos hazards has resulted in civil sanctions and
tions. This practice places its primary emphasis on the protec-
criminal prosecution of violators.
tion of their health. However, other members of the
community—other workers and individuals in a building being
5.3 Regarding the production and use of asbestos fiber:
renovated, residents of a house undergoing repairs, and unsus-
5.3.1 The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports: “World
pecting bystanders—are at risk to a lesser degree. By minimiz-
consumption was relatively steady between 2003 and 2007,
ing the risk to the worker performing the maintenance,
averaging 2.11 million metric tons (Mt). The leading consum-
renovation, and repair operations, the potential exposure of
ing countries in 2007 were, in decreasing order tonnage, China
others is reduced as well.
(30 %), India (15 %), Russia (13 %), Kazakhstan and Brazil
(5 %each),andThailand,Uzbekistan,andUkraine(4 %each).
5.8 It is expected that employers will comply voluntarily
These eight countries accounted for about 80 % of world
with the provisions of this practice in the interest of protecting
asbestos consumption in 2007. From 2003 through 2007,
worker and community health and reducing their own liability.
apparent consumption declined in most countries. However,
However, the existence of a regulatory infrastructure for
there were significant increases in apparent consumption in
occupational and community health greatly enhances compli-
China, India, and Uzbekistan between 2003 and 2007. In
ance with measures to reduce exposure to asbestos fibers and
general, world asbestos consumption is likely to decline as
other toxic materials. In some countries, such a system is
more countries institute bans on its use” (4).
highly advanced, but in others it needs to be created or further
5.3.2 The World Health Organization also states: “Bearing
developed. These efforts can be furthered by referencing this
in mind that there is no evidence for a threshold for the
practice in laws and regulations and requiring compliance with
carcinogenic effect of asbestos and the increased cancer risks
its provisions.
have been observed in populations exposed to very low levels,
5.8.1 Issuance of construction permits can be made contin-
the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is
gent on showing evidence of worker training, experience in the
to stop using all types of asbestos. Continued use of asbestos-
use of these procedures, and adequate resources (manpower,
cement in the construction industry is of part
...
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