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Summary, Purpose, Application, Records

The Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Program has been developed to address the management of asbestos containing building materials (asbestos-containing materials or asbestos-containing bulding materials) on campus.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, which is found throughout the world. Historically, it was used in more than 3,000 products because of its fireproofing and insulating properties. It can be woven into fabric or added into various substrates to improve functionality.

When asbestos-containing material can be easily crumbled or reduced to powder, the fibers can be released and become airborne, posing a potential inhalation hazard. Most of the health risk information regarding asbestos exposure has been derived from studies of workers involved in asbestos-related occupations. Certain cancers, such as mesothelioma, and respiratory diseases are more prevalent in such occupations and may have a latency period of ten to 40 years. Information on the health effects of asbestos exposure is provided at all levels of asbestos training, or on OSHA's website here.

This program applies to the management of asbestos-containing building materials on campus. The primary purpose is to minimize the exposure of building occupants, maintenance workers, and outside contractors to asbestos fibers.

Activities involving asbestos-containing building materials must comply with all local, state, and federal regulations, as applicable. Departments involved in asbestos-related activities shall designate a responsible person to coordinate program requirements at the university.

The purpose of the Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Program is to minimize the exposure of building occupants, maintenance, and custodial personnel to airborne asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been historically used in certain products to improve functionality, such as heat or corrosion resistance. The fibers, which can be microscopic, can become airborne and be inhaled into the lungs. This program has been designed to comply with applicable state and federal regulations pertaining to asbestos. Agencies with regulations or codes applicable to asbestos work at Virginia Tech include:

  • Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VDOLI);
  • Virginia Department of General Services (DGS);
  • Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR);
  • Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT);
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA);
  • Virginia Construction Code (2021); 
  • Code of Virginia (Title 54.1, Chapter 5); and
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Program applies to all university-owned properties, employees, and the public. The program shall remain in effect until all asbestos-containing materials have been removed from all university properties. Leased properties shall include appropriate disclosures.

Requirements to minimize or eliminate potential exposure of building occupants and employees to asbestos include:

  • Surveying and periodically assessing all suspect and known asbestos-containing materials to monitor the condition and ensure that it is maintained in an undamaged non-hazardous condition.
  • Providing guidance on asbestos project management to ensure renovation, construction, or emergency maintenance activities are performed safely.
  • Ensuring the prompt cleanup of asbestos fibers accidentally released into the atmosphere.
  • Training individuals who may encounter asbestos-containing materials during their normal work activities.

Occupants of buildings should presume that most suspect building materials (e.g. ceiling tile, floor tile, wall materials, pipe insulation) contain some degree (percentage) of asbestos, and should exercise caution to assure these materials are not to be damaged or disturbed except under controlled conditions by trained personnel. Occupants may review asbestos-related building survey records for their building (or work area) by contacting their designated Departmental Safety Representative or Environmemtal Health & Safety (for all other buildings on campus that do not fall under one of the departmental areas).

  • Departmental contacts and building occupants are notified of upcoming asbestos-related abatement projects via VT Repair notices. These notices explain the work that will be performed and the measures that will be taken to reduce the potential for exposure during the project. The person receiving the notice should share with building occupants prior to all abatement projects to determine whether additional precautionary measures may need to be addressed.