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Periodic Surveillance

Surveillance of "friable" ACM to note, assess, and document any changes in the ACM's condition shall be performed on a periodic basis. This includes a visual and physical re-inspection of all ACM. Conditions shall be documented. Photos of reassessments can help determine the degree deterioration over time and likelihood of future fiber release so that actions can be taken in a timely manner. Settled dust can also be examined for the accumulation of asbestos fibers. Positive results may indicate the need for special cleaning of the affected area, or other appropriate response actions to mitigate the condition.

Departmental Safety Representatives (DSR) shall maintain a schedule for periodic reassessment of friable ACM, and any change in material condition shall be noted during this inspection. Assessments shall be entered into the Access databases. EHS and the DSRs shall develop a response plan for deteriorating conditions.

The Asbestos Inspector (or DSR as applicable) is responsible for:

  • Determining whether ACM is present in a building,
    • Investigating records for ACM
    • Inspecting the building for suspect materials
    • Sampling and analyzing suspect materials for asbestos
  • Assessing the physical characteristics of that ACM and the building.
    • Damaged or significantly damaged TSI ACM
    • Damaged friable surfacing ACM
    • Significantly damaged friable surfacing ACM
    • Damaged or significantly damaged friable miscellaneous ACM
    • ACM with potential for damage
    • ACM with potential for significant damage
    • Any remaining friable ACM or friable suspect ACM

The Management Planner then uses the information gathered by the Asbestos Inspector to estimate the degree of current or potential hazard posed by the ACM, and develops an Operations and Maintenance (O & M) Plan for managing the ACM. The Management Planner will then:

  • Employ a systematic approach to determine the hazard posed by the ACM, and
  • Work with the Designated Safety Representative (DSR) to evaluate and select the proper control/reponse action:
    • Operations and Maintenance (O & M)
    • Repair
    • Encapsulation
    • Enclosure
    • Removal

The selection of a response action by the Management Planner should be based upon a number of evaluating factors, but most importantly the health and safety of the building occupants, and includs:

  • Hazard assessment (i.e. the degree of hazard posed by the ACM in the building)
  • Costs (initial and long-term), and
  • Life of the facility.

Note: The responsibility for paying for any response actions will be Division of Student Affairs or Facilities Services.

The Asbestos and Lead Inspection Reports shall be made available to EHS for consideration in the O & M Plan for the building. Sufficient information must be provided on these reports in order to make a determination on control/response actions.