navmc dir 5100.8 marine corps occupational safety and ... - US Navy

15001 MARCOR OSH PROGRAM MANUALfireproofing, high temperature insulation, asbestos cloth,friction materials such as brake linings and clutch facings,various gasket materials, and other miscellaneous products.Materials with more than one percent asbestos are calledasbestos containing materials.1. Hazard. Asbestos exposure is a major health hazard.Inhalation of asbestos fibers can produce severe lung damage inthe form of disabling or fatal fibrosis of lungs. Asbestosismeans fibrosis of lungs due to inhaled asbestos fibers.Asbestos has also been found to be a causal factor in thedevelopment of lung cancer and cancer of the gastrointestinaltract. It can take 20-40 years between first exposure toasbestos and the appearance of cancer.2. Detection. Asbestos fibers cannot be seen without amicroscope and have no odor or taste. These fibers are so lightthat once disturbed they may float in the air for 24 hours ormore. Only trained personnel using specialized air-samplingtechniques and equipment can detect these fibers.3. Exposure. Some examples of tasks which can generateairborne asbestos having potential to exceed PELs are thefabrication, installation, repair or removal ("rip-out") ofasbestos insulation materials, power sawing ofasbestos-containing fire retardant building materials, brakerelining and repair work, and removal of floor tiles or masticscontaining asbestos. Personnel performing these tasks must beprotected from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.4. Substitution. Although asbestos-free substitute materialsare being used, asbestos material may still be encountered insuch applications as clutch, gasket, and brake repairs. Brakepads provided by the supply system may still contain asbestosand, in some cases, are the only brake pads available for oldervehicles.15002. ASBESTOS OPERATIONS. Asbestos removal or containmentoperations must be controlled so they are not hazardous toMarine Corps personnel. However, they must be identified to theISM or unit safety officer and properly monitored and evaluatedby an industrial hygienist or qualified safety specialist.15-4