Appendix J: Unexpected Discovery of Asbestos Containing Materials

Should a worker or a contractor make an unexpected discovery of a material that may be asbestos containing, the following procedure shall be followed:

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Reporting Procedure for Loyalist College Staff or Contractors:
  • Stop work and do not disturb the material,
  • Prevent unauthorized or public access to the affected area by appropriate means such as locking doors or barricading the area and,
  • Immediately notify the Manager Facilities Services.
Procedure for Manager Facilities Services:
  • Immediately visually inspect the material,
  • Take any reasonable additional steps to minimize worker and public exposure,
  • Refer to the Loyalist Asbestos Record to determine if material has been previously identified,
  • If the material has been previously identified in the database as “Asbestos Containing Material”, “Non-Asbestos Containing Material”, “Suspect Asbestos Containing Material” or “Deemed Asbestos Containing Material” proceed accordingly,
  • If material has not been previously identified in the database, assess the situation and determine which of the following actions is most appropriate:
    • Not Sample: and treat the material as containing asbestos of a type other than chrysotile and proceed accordingly or
    • Sample: the material to determine asbestos content (see procedure below).
  • If material has not been previously identified in the database and is determined to be ACM or will be treated as if it ACM, notify the Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator who is responsible for notification to the local Ministry of Labour inspector and JHSC members per S. 8, O. Reg 278/05.
Taking Bulk Samples for Asbestos Determination:

The following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be used:

  • Half-face air purifying respirator with N-100, R-100 or P-100 particulate (HEPA) filters,
  • Use of protective clothing is not required however if a worker requests to wear protective clothing it shall be (at minimum) a disposable suit (Tyvek® or equivalent) with a hood,
  • Protective gloves and,
  • Safety glasses with side shield and safety shoes/boots.

The following equipment shall be used:

  • Sprayer containing water and a wetting agent
  • Polyethylene sheeting (6 mil)
  • Utility knife or corer (no power tools)
  • Duct tape
  • Plastic (Zip-Lock style) bag and Sharpie®-style marker
  • Clean rags
  • Asbestos disposal bags (6 mil) with asbestos warnings clearly printed on the bag.
Procedure for Bulk Sampling:
  • The number of samples collected shall meet the requirements of Table 1 of Ontario Regulation 278/05.
  • Ensure no one else is in the room when sampling is done to minimize exposure.
  • Eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking is not permitted in the work area.
  • Don personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Do not disturb the material any more than required to take the sample (a volume of material the size of a dime is sufficient).
  • Place a plastic sheet on the floor below the area to be sampled.
  • Using the sprayer, wet area to be sampled with amended water.
  • Carefully cut a piece of suspect material from the entire depth of the material using a small knife, corer, or other sharp tool.
  • Place the sample into a re-sealable plastic bag (zip-lock bag) and label bag with identification number and when and where the sample was taken.
  • Patch the sampled area with a piece of duct tape to prevent fiber release.
  • Use a damp rag to clean up any material on the outside of the sample bag and around the area sampled.
  • Spray the plastic drop sheet with amended water and carefully fold it to contain any debris and place in an ACM waste bag.
  • Clean all surfaces of protective clothing with damp rag, remove protective clothing (with respirator still on) and place protective clothing and used rag in asbestos waste bag and seal waste bag with tape.
  • Place sealed waste bag in a secondary waste bag, seal second waste bag with tape and place ACM waste bags in the designated ACM waste storage area to await disposal at an appropriately licensed waste site.
  • Remove respirator.
  • Proceed to wash-up area and thoroughly wash hands, face and respirator.
  • Submit the sample to an accredited laboratory for analysis.
Interpretation of Sample Results:
  • If sample results determine the material is not asbestos-containing, proceed with maintenance/renovation/construction activity.
  • If analysis establishes that any of the samples collected contains 0.5% or more asbestos, all of the material from which the bulk material sample was collected is deemed to be asbestos containing and shall be treated accordingly.
  • Update the Asbestos Record with the test results.
  • If the required asbestos abatement is a Type 1 or Type 2 Operation for which Loyalist staff has been trained and has a procedure for, then proceed with applicable procedure.
  • If the required abatement is a Type 1 or Type 2 Operation for which Loyalist staff does not have a procedure, or is a Type 3 Operation, a qualified external abatement contractor shall perform the abatement.
  • Upon completion, document the abatement information on the Asbestos Removal Tracking Form A and update the Asbestos Record.
Emergency Clean-Up Procedure:

If the material suspected to be ACM has fallen in an area where it could be disturbed (causing fibers to be released into the air), the material must be promptly cleaned up.

  • Don PPE as per above.
  • Using equipment listed above, plus, if needed, the dedicated HEPA vacuum, clean up the visible material using an applicable Safe Work Procedure (Refer to Appendices B to I).