Nearly everyone knows that asbestos is hazardous, but some businesses operate in old buildings where it simply isn’t possible to completely avoid any exposure whatsoever. If you’re concerned about employees’ exposure to asbestos, Benchmark Environmental Engineering can help you set up a safety plan.
By establishing a comprehensive program with strict benchmarks, you can ensure your business is fully compliant with all safety regulations while still maintaining efficiency.
The Dangers Of Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in construction and other industries due to its fire resistance and insulation properties. However, exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious health problems, including COPD, laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, and a specific form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma.
What Is An O&M Plan?
An Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plan is a set of guidelines and practices for how to safely handle asbestos in a commercial setting. A good O&M plan will detail how to safely manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on the premises, how to monitor for asbestos exposure, and what to do if exposure occurs.
The O&M plan should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it is up-to-date and effective. If any changes are made to the ACMs on the premises, or if there are any new asbestos exposure risks, the O&M plan should be revised accordingly.
5 Key Steps To Creating An O&M Plan For Asbestos-Containing Materials
- Conduct An Asbestos Survey
- Identify ACMs & Assess Their Condition
- Implement Control Measures
- Create A Written O&M Plan
- Review & Update the Plan Regularly
1) Conduct An Asbestos Survey
The first step in creating an O&M plan is to find out if there are any ACMs on the premises. The certified inspectors at Benchmark Environmental Engineering can handle this for you in order to avoid seriously endangering your health with a DIY inspection.
2) Identify ACMs & Assess Their Condition
Once any potential ACMs have been found, they should be identified and their condition assessed. This will help determine what level of risk they pose and what needs to be done to manage them safely.
3) Implement Control Measures
Based on the results of the survey and assessment, appropriate control measures should be put in place to minimize the risk of exposure to asbestos fibers. This may include removal or encapsulation of ACMs, installation of negative air pressure systems, and regular monitoring of air quality.
4) Create A Written O&M Plan
Once the control measures have been implemented, they should be documented in a written O&M plan. This document should be made available to all employees, contractors, and visitors to the premises.
5) Review & Update The Plan Regularly
Your O&M plan should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it is up-to-date and effective. If any changes are made to the ACMs on the premises, or if there are any new asbestos exposure risks, it should be revised accordingly.
6) Our Services
Benchmark Environmental Engineering works with businesses to create and implement a good O&M plan. We are Industrial Hygiene Consultants with over 25 years of experience in environmental testing. We can help you identify ACMs on your property, develop safe work practices for handling them, and create a monitoring program to ensure that your employees are not being exposed to asbestos fibers.
Industrial Hygiene Consultant In San Jose
If you think your business may have asbestos-containing materials, or if you would like help to set up an O&M plan, please contact us today. We can help you protect your employees and create a safe working environment.