OEH&S Asbestos Information

Asbestos, PCBs, and Lead-based Paint

The Asbestos Section provides services related to the assessment and control of hazardous building materials such as asbestos, PCBs and lead-based paint used in construction. The services are provided on a request basis and are driven by the needs of the campus community. Although any UCSF department may request services, the majority of asbestos work requests originate from departments responsible for building acquisition, renovation and/or new construction, namely Real Estate and Contract Services, Facilities Management and the Office of Design & Construction. The asbestos services are pre-renovation and demolition building surveys, implementation of project specification, hazardous material abatement oversight, and asbestos air monitoring.

UCSF departments requesting services submit a Asbestos Project Request/Approval forms The Request for Services form defines the scope of work and initiates the start of OEH&S involvement in a project. OEH&S involvement starts upon receipt of a completed Request for Services form that contains, specifically, the department’s account and fund numbers, department expense authorization signature, and a floor plan. A cost estimate is provided by OEH&S for the requested project.

OEH&S Asbestos Section provides services related to the assessment and control of hazardous building materials used in construction. Asbestos services are summarized as follows:

A. Pre-Renovation/Demolition Building Surveys

The Asbestos Services Section provides visual inspections and sampling to determine if asbestos-containing building materials are present within areas scheduled for renovation or demolition. Survey reports which detail inspection findings, hazardous material locations and recommendations are provided to the renovation project manager who, in turn, includes them in contract documents.

Inspection for lead and PCBs is also included as part of the building survey process.

B. Implementation of Project Specifications

The Asbestos Services Section has developed a standard hazardous building material abatement specification for use by renovation project managers. The abatement specification is found in Section 01080 of UCSF's general construction specification and details the University's procedures for safe removal and disposal of regulated hazardous building materials. It includes provisions authorizing OEH&S to perform oversight and air monitoring for compliance during abatement operations. The specification is updated as needed by the Asbestos Services Section Supervisor in order to stay current with changing federal, state and local regulations.

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C. Hazardous Material Abatement Oversight

The Asbestos Services Section provides oversight of abatement contractors during the removal of hazardous building materials. Oversight services include: review of contractor submittals; attendance and consultation during pre-bid job walks, pre-construction meetings, and progress meetings; approval of work plans; containment inspections, progress inspections and final (work completion) inspections; and clearance air monitoring.

D. Asbestos Air Monitoring

The Asbestos Services Section provides asbestos air monitoring following completion of an abatement operation (clearance air monitoring) in order to determine compliance with specified air quality standards. The Asbestos Services Section can also provide ambient air monitoring to evaluate potential environmental contamination or ensure compliance with existing exposure standards if requested. Area air monitoring is conducted in accordance with NIOSH Method 7400, NIOSH Method 7402 or the EPA Method as stated in the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), 40 CFR Part 763 Subpart E, Appendix A. Asbestos air samples are submitted to a laboratory which is certified by NIST under the U.S. EPA's NVLAP Program.

E. Training

Asbestos Services Section team members receive certified building inspection training and certified abatement supervision training as mandated by federal regulations and follow procedures established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) as defined in 40 CFR Part 763 (AHERA). Members attend an initial 24 hour (3 day) training course for "Building Inspection for Asbestos" and annual 4 hour (1/2 day) refresher training for "Asbestos Inspectors" thereafter. For abatement oversight, members attend an initial 40 hour (5 day) training course for "Practices and Procedures in Asbestos Control" and attend an 8 hour (1 day) refresher training course for "Asbestos Contractors and Supervisors" on an annual basis. Standardized forms to document various aspects of the inspection process, oversight and air sampling process are used.

In addition to the above listed training requirements, all members receive instruction on the proper selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protection. OEH&S Clinical Program provides such training and include topics identified in the Respiratory Protection Program training.

F. Notification

UCSF is mandated by California law to inform all employees of the known locations where asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) are present in their work environment and the status of asbestos containment efforts at the university. Refer to Asbestos Notification. OEH&S publishes the notification on an annual basis in addition to the report submitted to the Project Manager for presence of asbestos containing building materials in the building.

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Asbestos Notification

UCSF is mandated by California law to inform all employees of the known locations where asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) are present in their work environment and the status of asbestos containment efforts at the university.

All UCSF owned buildings, with the exception of the Library and Koret Vision Research laboratory, contain ACBM in some areas. These ACBM exists but are not limited to the following: sprayed-on fire-proofing material; pipes, ducts, boilers, and tanks insulation; surfacing plasters and acoustical materials on ceilings and walls; and other materials such as ceiling tiles, vinyl floor tiles, linoleum and adhesives, wall boards, counter tops and fire doors.

If asbestos materials are not damaged or disturbed, asbestos fibers will not be released into the workplace. Furthermore, primary barriers exist which, if left undisturbed, will prevent asbestos fibers from contaminating the workplace. These barriers include walls and ceilings that separate asbestos from the work area and pipe and pipe coverings that completely encapsulate asbestos-containing insulation materials. If these materials are to be disturbed through construction, repair or asbestos removal activities, specific procedures to prevent or minimize exposure to asbestos (which include notification of affected staff and sign posting) must be followed. As long as staff do not cut, drill, grind, or otherwise disturb the material, the health risk is minimal.

UCSF is committed to a policy of safely and effectively managing asbestos on campus. The University maintains a staff of certified professionals at OEH&S who coordinate asbestos construction activities, conduct building material surveys, perform air monitoring and provide training. Asbestos survey results listing specific locations where asbestos may be encountered in your building, detailed instructions on working with ACBM and material sample analysis and air monitoring results are available for review at OEH&S.

If you have specific questions related to this information, or would like an OEH&S staff member to review the above information with you, please contact John Shaver, Program Manager, Hazardous Material Management, for assistance at 476-1300.