Once you know that you have asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in your building, you need to manage those materials. Depending on the type and condition of the ACM, you may need to remove it, encapsulate it (seal it within a covering), or leave the ACM in place. Some ACM is friable, meaning it can easily crumble or fall apart and release airborne fibers. Other ACM is nonfriable and will not release fibers unless drilled, cut, sanded, or otherwise disturbed.

The Buildings and Related Facilities Handbook 7309.11,40 requires that each unit develop an asbestos management plan. The plan identifies how each ACM in each building will be treated to minimize the risk of asbestos exposure to employees and visitors. The treatment chosen depends on the type of asbestos, its location and condition, and the activities that are expected to occur near the material. No regulation requires us to remove ACM before we plan to renovate or demolish a building. Once we do, Asbestos NESHAP comes into play and requires removal of ACM in many instances. Most nonfriable ACM does not present a health risk if left intact, so you may elect to manage it in place until a building is renovated or demolished. Friable asbestos will normally be managed by encapsulation or removal.

Labeling asbestos-containing material is a way of communicating the potential hazard. OSHA requires signing ACM (29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(2)–(4) ) and so does our Forest Service Handbook 7309.11, 41.11. Signs or labels can be placed on the ACM, in a mechanical room, in the janitor’s closet, or in another area of the building where those working on or around the ACM will be alerted. The sign or label should state what the material is, where it is, and convey that there is a health risk. Check out the OSHA regulation for the specific wording.

Except in very limited situations, ACM must be removed by an accredited asbestos contractor. The removal process must be specified by an accredited asbestos abatement designer. These contractors and designers are trained and accredited yearly similarly to asbestos inspectors. One person or company may have both accreditations, or you can contract separately for design and removal. We cannot write our own removal specifications unless our staff is accredited. No Forest Service employee should remove friable asbestos (FSM 6743.2 ) and only trained and equipped Forest Service employees can remove nonfriable ACM. Notification of your State or EPA Asbestos NESHAP coordinator is required for asbestos abatement in public and commercial buildings with more than 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet of ACM. The EPA contact can tell you whether your State has primacy, and if so, who to contact.

A useful tool in managing and working with ACM is OSHA’s Asbestos Advisor 2.0. This software program can help you comply with the OSHA asbestos standard whether the work is custodial, maintenance, or abatement.