General preventive methods

• Pages: 12-16

5. General preventive methods

5.1. Alternative materials

5.1.1. Whenever possible, harmful substances should be replaced by

substances which offer the same technical advantages but which are harmless or less

harmful.

5.1.2. When safety considerations call for alternative materials, account should

be taken of all health hazards associated with the manufacture, handling, use,

transportation, storage and disposal of the alternatives proposed.

5.1.3. When alternative materials for asbestos are being chosen, primary

consideration should be given to their associated health hazards; and regard should also

be paid to the technological and economic circumstances which determine the need for

the alternatives.

5.2. Methods of control

5.2.1. All appropriate and practicable measures of engineering, work practice

and administrative control should be taken to eliminate or to reduce the exposure of

workers to asbestos dust in the working environment to the lowest possible level.

5.2.2. Engineering controls should include mechanical handling, ventilation

and redesign of the process to eliminate, contain or collect asbestos dust emissions by

such means as:

(a) process separation, automation or enclosure;

(b) bonding asbestos fibres with other materials to prevent dust generation;

(c) general ventilation of the working areas with clean air;

(d) local ventilation of processes, operations, equipment and tools for the prevention

of dust dissemination;

(e) use of wet methods where appropriate;

(f) separate workplaces for certain processes.

5.2.3. Appropriate work practices should be followed where materials or

processes are used which may give rise to asbestos dust in the working environment.

Such work practices should include:

(a) requirements to use and maintain process machinery, installations, equipment,

tools, local exhausts and ventilation systems in accordance with instructions;

(b) damping where appropriate of asbestos products and materials at workplaces

before processing, handling, using, machining, cleaning, stripping or removing;

(c) regular cleaning of machinery and work areas by appropriate methods;

(d) proper use of personal protective equipment.

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