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 American Welding SocietySafety and HealthFact Sheet No. 40 September 2013 © 2013 American Welding Society 

 ASBESTOS HAZARDS ENCOUNTERED IN THE

WELDING AND CUTTING ENVIRONMENT

 American Welding Society8669 Doral Blvd.Doral, Florida 33166E-mail: info@aws.orghttp://www.aws.org

Fact Sheet No. 40 – 09/13 

 AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any naturewhatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectlyresulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this information. AWS also makes noguaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

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INTRODUCTION

 Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that wasonce widely used because of its heat andchemical resistance. Most uses ofasbestos have been discontinued, butlarge amounts of asbestos are still in the

workplace. Asbestos fibers can be longenough to make into cloth or paper, butmost are too small to see with the nakedeye. These very small fibers are arespiratory hazard when they becomeairborne. Overexposure can cause lungdisease, lung cancer, and other cancers.

During construction or maintenancewelders or cutters can be exposed toasbestos. Workers can be exposed when

disturbing asbestos themselves, or simplyby being present in the general work area.There are specific regulations that specifyhow work must be done if asbestos may bepresent. These regulations are to keeppersonnel safe from asbestos hazards.

 Asbestos is found in many differentmaterials, including the following:

  Thermal systems insulation on

ducts, pipes, tanks, boilers,furnaces, etc.

  Refractory – fireproof brick, mortarand cement

  Roofing and siding – shingles,boards, coatings, cements andpaints

  Floor coverings and levelingcompounds

  Wall and ceiling finishes – plaster,tiles, spray-on, sheetrock

  Fire protection systems – gaskets,dampers, “firestop” compounds

NATURE OF THE HAZARD—

 ASBESTOS TYPES

Overexposure to asbestos fibers by

inhalation can cause asbestosis (scarringof the lungs). This results in loss of lungfunction. It often progresses to disabilityand to death. It can also causemesothelioma (cancer affecting themembranes lining the lungs andabdomen); lung cancer; and cancers of theesophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum.Common types of asbestos are: chrysotile(white asbestos), amosite (brownasbestos), and crocidolite (blue asbestos).

White asbestos is the most common.Brown and blue asbestos can be the mostharmful. They are usually found in hightemperature thermal system insulation.

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 American Welding Society8669 Doral Blvd.Doral, Florida 33166E-mail: info@aws.orghttp://www.aws.org

Fact Sheet No. 40 – 09/13 

 AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any naturewhatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectlyresulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this information. AWS also makes noguaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

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HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD—

 ASBESTOS

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)regulate work involving asbestos.Employers must conduct surveys toidentify all asbestos-containing materials.They must inform workers of asbestosmaterials they may contact. Also, workersthat may disturb or work around asbestosmust be trained to recognize whichmaterials contain asbestos, and how toavoid hazards.

Only specially trained workers may touch,disturb and/or dispose of asbestoscontaining materials.

SUMMARY

  Asbestos is a mineral that was widelyused due to its heat and chemicalresistant properties. Asbestos can giveoff fibers if disturbed. Fibers are asevere inhalation hazard. Inhalation canlead to lung disease, lung cancer, andother types of cancers.

  Do not disturb materials that maycontain asbestos. Only use properlytrained workers, directed by authorizedsupervision. Typical materials are: pipeand thermal system insulation, transitewall board, floor and ceiling tile, spray-on insulation, structural coatings,galbestos siding, roofing materials andmastics.

  Asbestos work is regulated by OSHAand the EPA. Only those trained and

authorized may disturb asbestosmaterials. 

  Employers and building owners arerequired to identify and label asbestos-containing materials. Make employeesaware of the location and presence of

these materials. Use effective trainingand communications.

  Special work practices are required forhandling or disturbing asbestos. Theseinclude isolation with a negativepressure enclosure, disposablegarments and other hygiene controlsand facilities.

  Engineering controls must be used toprevent the release of asbestos fibers.Respirators must also be worn whenthere is a possibility of overexposure.

INFORMATION SOURCES 

Two pamphlets summarizing OSHA rulesdealing with asbestos are available: (insingle copies) "Asbestos Standard forGeneral Industry" and "Asbestos Standard

for Construction Industry." These can beobtained by sending a self-addressedmailing label to the OSHA PublicationsOffice, Room N-3101, Washington, D.C.20210, telephone 202-219-4667 or fromany local OSHA office.

EPA basic information is available at thefollowing website:www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/help.html

NIOSH information is available at thefollowing website:www.cdc.gov/Niosh/topics/Asbestos