Asbestos Abatement Safety - Lead and Mold - Demolition Safety
It is the objective of The Mack Group, LLC to take all reasonable and practical measures to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of its employees on the job and to ensure that other persons affected by company operations are not exposed to safety and health risks.
Every manager with overall responsibility for running a project or specific project task will actively apply this policy and assure the development and implementation of effective practices and programs for safety. The company will provide managers with professional advice and counsel in meeting these obligations.
All employees are expected to cooperate and contribute toward the overall success of the program by performing their jobs in the safest possible manner in compliance with this manual, client policies, and regulatory requirements and by conducting themselves in a way that enhances their safety and that of others.
We invite every employee to join us in pledging their participation and cooperation in these Health and Safety efforts.
The MACK Group, LLC knows that the health and safety of our employees are paramount to the success of the company. Safety starts with our employees and is attained through our employees, so use the company’s health and safety documents as a resource and to your advantage.
We must focus on the accomplishment of our safety goals. As busy as we are, take time to pre-plan (no shortcuts), be sure we have the proper procedures, setups, and equipment.
No injury is acceptable; injury is not part of any job description. With so many positive opportunities before us, our safety performance and knowledge continually need reinforcement. Without accidents/injuries, our work will be more enjoyable, positively received by our clients, and provide more opportunities to our company.
On a final note, the company will not tolerate employees that ignore the seriousness of our health and safety rules.
Safety Resources
Respiratory Protection
It is the policy of The MACK Group, LLC to seek and maintain an environment that will not adversely affect the health, safety, and well-being of all employees, staff, and associated individuals. Respiratory protection will primarily be utilized as a secondary tier of protection that supports the use of engineering, administrative, and work practice controls.
For workers of The MACK Group, LLC respiratory protection equipment will only be made available to trained employees who have completed the program requirements outlined in this manual. Individuals not complying with the requirements of this manual will not be permitted to work for The MACK Group, LLC.
Respirators or respiratory protection equipment will under NO CIRCUMSTANCES be issued or loaned to contractors or outside personnel who are not trained employees.
The respiratory protection program is designed to fulfill requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) respiratory protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134.
Whenever possible, engineering, administrative, and work practice controls shall be instituted to reduce airborne hazards. Where this is not possible, or while such controls are being implemented, the appropriate respirator may be used to protect employees.
Copies of the respiratory program and other sources of material on respiratory protection will be made available to all employees.
SILICA
Crystalline silica is a common mineral in the earth’s crust and is found in many types of rock including sand, quartz, and granite.
Silica is present in both work and non-work environments, and exposure to crystalline silica dust has long been known to cause a disease called silicosis.
When you inhale crystalline silica the lung tissue reacts by developing fibrous tissue around trapped silica particles. This condition of the lung is called silicosis.
Due to the extensive use of concrete and masonry products in buildings today, construction workers have potential exposure to crystalline silica.
Operations such as dumping of rock, glass manufacturing, jackhammering, abrasive blasting, sawing, drilling, or demolition of concrete and masonry structures are some of the activities that could produce this exposure. Lungs take care of normal dust.
Airborne dust and dirt are common at worksites and on the job. Fortunately, the body’s respiratory system does a good of job filtering out dust and most foreign bodies. Fine particulates such as asbestos and silica, however, are so tiny they can get past our filtering system.
This may cause serious lung problems over an extended period of protection or controls are not used. Respect these tiny invaders. Use the appropriate personal protective equipment and safety precautions.
Dust inhalation can cause lung disease, silicosis, and other complications of the respiratory system. There are control measures that can be taken to help protect your health and safety when working with or around construction dust. Here are a few suggestions:
Saw Cutting, Grinding & Sanding Dust:
Workers are properly trained and wear the appropriate respiratory and other personal protective equipment (PPE) while on or near work activities that generate dust.
Water is commonly used in cutting or grinding stone, cement, or rock base products that release dust into the air. Water-based dust suppression is the most cost-effective solution.
Vacuum systems may also be used to collect dust generated by sanding, grinding, breaking or cutting of concrete, stone, pavement, or other dust-generating materials.
Excavation Dust:
Water is a common option for protecting workers from excavations by watering down the exposed surfaces regularly.
Dust Suppression Agents may also be an option, as they have been developed to require less frequent application of water.
Covering exposed surfaces with polythene or tarps is effective although this method is not practical in windy areas or for large areas.
General Building Construction Dust:
Cutting wood releases particles (sawdust) that, unlike asbestos and silica, do not enter the lungs as easily. However, some products can generate very fine dust that can potentially be inhaled into the lungs.
Vacuum systems can capture the dust produced by the machine and secure it in a container for proper disposal. Use removable dust collection bags with industrial-grade vacuum cleaners to assist the suction of dust. Sweeping the floor is normal and good practice, however, this will allow fine dust particles to float back up into the air.
Vacuum power sanders will pick up dust from sheetrock, plasterboard, and paint sanding. Vacuum power sanders are very effective as they remove dust as you work.
