| Between 1995 and 2003, 120 of 258 deaths in | | | | deadly fiber. |
| construction occurred during demolition. | | | | Employers, owners, and builders are responsible |
| Construction workers that work on demolition | | | | for ensuring the health and safety of all workers |
| projects, particularly of buildings from the middle | | | | working on a specific project. This includes people |
| of the 20th century, are exposed to asbestos | | | | working for the employer as well as any other |
| and a variety of other hazardous materials. | | | | workers present at the workplace. In addition, |
| Asbestos is a fiber that is found in a number of | | | | individuals are responsible for protecting the public |
| products that are found in older buildings. | | | | from the hazards of demolition. |
| Demolition or renovation of houses that contain or | | | | Before work begins on the demolition, renovation, |
| might contain asbestos products can release | | | | or salvage of a building or a structure, the |
| asbestos fibers which are microscopic and can | | | | employer, owner/builder, agent, or property |
| stay in the air, and the lungs, for hours. When | | | | manager must have a qualified individual inspect |
| unprotected workers are exposed to | | | | the site. This is done in an effort to identify or |
| asbestos-contaminated air, they can breathe in | | | | locate any asbestos that may be handled |
| the fibers. The fibers that are not removed by | | | | disturbed, or removed during the renovation, |
| the body naturally can cause serious health | | | | demolition, or salvage process. |
| problems. These health problems include deadly | | | | If asbestos-containing materials are found in the |
| cancers and other lung diseases. | | | | building, it is important to follow the necessary |
| Asbestos is a strong, fire-resistant mineral fiber. In | | | | steps. If certain steps and precautions are not |
| the past, it was used as insulation against heat, | | | | followed, the builder/owner or whoever was in |
| noise, or both as well as for fire protection. In | | | | charge of the demolition can face serious fines. |
| addition to its insulation role, asbestos was | | | | The qualified individual doing the inspection of the |
| frequently added to cement and plaster to give | | | | building must decide what ACM |
| both materials more structural strength. | | | | (asbestos-containing material) must be removed |
| Through the late 1980s, more than 3,0000 | | | | before demolition can begin as well as determine |
| products containing asbestos were used in various | | | | the safe work procedures required. |
| parts of house construction. The use of asbestos | | | | Any and all ACM that is friable, or easily crumbled |
| in commercial buildings declined rapidly through the | | | | powdered by hand, must be removed and |
| 1970s as more of the health risks became known. | | | | disposed of by trained and qualified workers |
| Because there are more than 3,000 products in | | | | before the rest of the work can be started. A |
| some older homes that could contain asbestos, | | | | notice of project for asbestos must also be |
| people demolishing or renovating older homes | | | | submitted to the correct authorities a minimum of |
| must be extremely careful and take a number of | | | | twenty-four hours before asbestos removal can |
| precautions to avoid exposing people to this | | | | begin. |