Policy 7.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASBESTOS POLICY

1.0

PURPOSE:

To establish a policy with the respect to the handling of asbestos encountered in soils or
rock during field investigations and mass grading projects on HydroGeoLogic Inc., job
sites.
2.0

GENERAL:
A. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Its primary route of entry into the human body
is through the lungs via dust and airborne particulate matter. Asbestos exposure
can be mitigated by proper use of respiratory protection devices and by
minimizing the airborne source through wet techniques or controlled excavation
and controlled disturbance.
B. Serpentine-derived soils often contain asbestos concentrations in excess of 1
percent. The EPA defines asbestos as a hazard if it is present in a building
material as concentrations of more than 1 percent. Cal OSHA defines asbestos as
a hazardous material at concentrations in excess of 0.1 percent (dry weight).
There is no clear decision as to which of these limits currently defines an asbestos
content as being hazardous. At present, environmental asbestos (i.e. asbestos
found in naturally occurring materials) is not considered a hazardous material.
However, if the material is not handled properly during site work, hazardous
conditions can result and we should work closely with our client to mitigate this
potential. Until regulations are established, HydroGeoLogic Inc. shall consider
environmental asbestos concentrations in excess of 0.1 percent to be hazardous
concentrations and shall adhere to the guidelines described below.
C. When performing a Geotechnical investigation, and serpentine rock suspected of
containing asbestos greater than 0.1 percent is encountered, the project work plan
should attempt to minimize the disturbance of this material. Special grading
precautions should be specified (such as watering, covering the stockpiles, and
possible air monitoring during initial phases of construction to evaluate the actual
hazard).
1. Using drilling or other invasive methods that generate low quantities of dust
should minimize the generation of dust.
2. Cuttings should be kept wet.
3. Try to work upwind of the borehole and any source of dust.

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4. Take steps to conduct personal air monitoring if visible airborne dust is

generated, or if otherwise believed necessary.
D. If imported fill material suspected of being serpentine and containing asbestos
greater than 1 percent is observed:
1. Field personnel should notify the project manager and wear at leas level C
protective clothing and an air purifying respirator with HEPA cartridges.
2. Field personnel should avoid working in the downwind direction from the
source.
3. The client should be immediately notified of the possible hazard. A
recommendation to further evaluate the hazard should be suggested. This
notification should be documented in writing.
4. If an airborne asbestos problem is identified, special construction procedures
such as extensive watering or elimination of the contaminated import source
should be considered
5. HydroGeoLogic Inc. should advise their clients to require non-asbestoscontaining import fill in the job specifications
E. All contaminated protective clothing and spent respirator cartridges should be
handled and disposed of as hazardous waste.
3.0

PROCEDURE:
Responsibility

Project Managers

Site Supervisors

Action
1.

Interface with the client and HydroGeoLogic

Inc., management if necessary

2.

Follow up t check that necessary actions are

being taken.

1.

Identify potential geology and or investigation

methods that may generate asbestos dust.

2.

Provide proper PPE and work practices to

minimize dust generation.

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Area/Office Safety Officer

Corporate Safety Manager

4.0

3.

Contact Project Manager and Safety Officer for

assistance in evaluating and controlling dust
hazards when necessary.

1.

Assist site supervisor in site hazard

identification and abatement when required.

2.

Periodically provide area and personal air

monitoring to determine employee exposure
potential
to various
types
of field
investigations/tasks.

1.

Assist the Area/Office Safety Officer when

requested.

APPLICABLE REGULATIONS (NOT ASSUMED TO BE A COMPLETE

LIST).
A. NONE.

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