1.1This practice establishes procedures for assessing the exposure of workers to airborne fibers who perform repetitive tasks of short duration where small quantities of asbestos-containing materials must be disturbed in order to perform maintenance and installation activities.

1.2This practice describes the facilities and equipment for performing the tasks under controlled conditions for the express purpose of collecting personal air samples to determine worker exposure. The tasks are performed on actual asbestos-containing materials during Exposure Assessment tests and precautions are taken for personal protection and avoiding contamination of adjacent spaces.

1.3This practice describes the air sample collection procedures, the analytical methods for the air samples, and the calculation of worker exposure including the use of statistical confidence limits. This practice differentiates between the test to obtain exposure data and the current job to which the data are applied, and describes the duties of the individuals who conduct these separate activities.

1.4The results are applied to the current job as defined herein for determining worker protection such as respiratory protection or for other purposes as determined by the competent person responsible for the current job. The results of the tests shall not be applied to current jobs that are expected to differ substantially from the test conditions in work practices, material properties or other factors that might affect the concentration of airborne asbestos fibers.

1.5This practice is not intended to be used for asbestos abatement work for which the objective is the removal of asbestos-containing materials. It is designed to assess exposures for short-term repetitive tasks. Compliance with regulatory requirements as to the purpose of the work and limits on the quantity of asbestos-containing materials disturbed is the responsibility of the user.

1.6This practice describes procedures for determining exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. It does not purport to determine the risk of acquiring an asbestos-related disease for any individual, trade or work practice, nor does it represent that compliance with any criterion constitutes a “safe” level of exposure that is free of such risk.

1.7Hazards—Asbestos fibers are acknowledged carcinogens. Breathing asbestos fibers may result in disease of the lungs including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Precautions should be taken to avoid breathing airborne asbestos particles from materials known or suspected to contain asbestos. See 2.2 for regulatory requirements addressing asbestos.

1.8The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.9This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.10This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.