Asbestos Survey Checklist

The checklist covers the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1001 exposure limits: it checks whether asbestos exposure above 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) of air over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) is prevented, whether exposure above 1.0 f/cc for a 30-minute excursion limit (EL) is prevented, and whether representative employees are monitored for the time-weighted average and exposure limit at least every 6 months. It also covers controls such as handling asbestos in a wet state, engineering controls, local exhaust ventilation, and respiratory protection in regulated areas.

The checklist covers establishing and demarcating regulated areas with restricted access; prohibiting drinking, smoking, chewing gum or chewing tobacco, and applying cosmetics in the regulated area; prohibiting smoking in all work areas; maintaining a written respiratory protection program and a medical surveillance program; providing protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the task, with clean clothing and equipment weekly or more often; providing clean change rooms and shower facilities suitable for the work, with the change room separated from the storage area for potentially contaminated clothing and equipment; properly packaging, labeling, handling, and transporting potentially contaminated clothing that must be washed, and informing all persons who handle or wash such items of the potential hazards; and providing a lunchroom with positive pressure and air filtration, with employees required to wash their hands and face before eating and smoking.

You work through the checklist sections in order — Asbestos Self-Inspection, General, Time-Weighted Average and Exposure Limit for Asbestos, and Controls. Begin by recording the conducted-on date, who prepared it, and the location. Answer each question against the answer scale of Yes, No, or N/A. For asbestosis exposure items, confirm that monitoring and controls match the applicable limits. Where tasks involve work in which engineering and work practice controls are not feasible, such as maintenance and repair work, or in emergencies, the checklist prompts you to confirm that appropriate respirators are used in regulated areas. Finish by recording the signature, the finished-at time, and the inspection's real start and end dates.