we've all heard a lot about but what exactly is asbestos

asbestos is amenable with some unusual characteristics

asbestos has so many positive qualities that some people call it a miracle

material

is fireproof

heat resistant lightweight

resistant to most chemicals

bacteria resistant

sound absorbing and it doesn't conduct electricity

products that contain asbestos can be very helpful but they can also be very

harmful

asbestos has hidden dangers that you need to know about

while most rocks breakdown of the tiny particles like grains of sand

asbestos breaks down into small fibers

strands of rope

these fibers can be so small

that they're invisible to the human i'd

in fact you would need a very powerful microscope to see them

but even though asbestos fibers are tiny

they have the strength of steel

one of the problems and dealing with asbestos fibers is that you can't see

them

taste and or smell them

but they are they're and if the fibers that are your body they can cause severe

damage

before the dangers of asbestos were fully known asbestos was used throughout

the building and construction industry

it was mixed in the plaster and wall board for strength and support

sprayed on the walls ceilings and steel girders for fire proofing wrapped around

pipes boilers heating ducts and other utility systems for insulation

you can't even find asbestos in florence ceiling time

so if you're a member of the custodial engineering or maintenance staff

you need to know about the hazards of working around asbestos

in fact the hazards of asbestos fibers are so serious

that the occupational safety and health administration closure has issued a

standard to train monitor and protect workers who could be exposed to s best

is on the job for as a part of this training you'll learn the health effects

and risks of long-term asbestos exposure

how to recognize and deal with possible asbestos hazards

considering how dangerous asbestos is

and the fact that we may come in contact with it in many ways how can we limit

our exposure

you should know where asbestos is located in your workplace

then you need to keep track of the condition of all asbestos materials you

encounter

and finally remember not to disturb materials that may contain asbestos

unless absolutely necessary and then only if you have the proper training and

equipment

let's take a closer look at the first step nowhere asbestos is in your

workplace

remember asbestos has been used in many different kinds of building materials

thermal system insulation has been the most common use in buildings built

before nineteen eighty the heating system boiler utility pipes and ductwork

may be covered with insulation the contains asbestos

asbestos can also be found above some drop ceilings inspiration one sound

proofing and fire proofing materials

some types of composite materials such as plastered wall board impaneling

contain asbestos fibers because they add strength but they're still lightweight

asbestos can also be found in some types of floor tiles and ceiling tiles

installed before nineteen eighty

your facility has an asbestos management plan that lists of the locations of

materials that contain asbestos this is the first place you should look for this

kind of information

you should also see warnings signs posted wherever asbestos is present if

you don't see warnings were you suspect there is as best as talk to your

supervisor

if an area is posted as restricted

do not answer unless you are authorized and i have the proper safety equipment

if you ignore these warnings you could expose yourself to dean drew some ounce

of especially its