OSHA Issues New Asbestos Fact Sheet 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a new Asbestos Fact Sheet at the urging of Linda Reinstein, President, CEO and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).

On July 22, 2013 Linda met with Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA to discuss asbestos hazards and the need for additional resources to educate and to protect the public from asbestos-related diseases.

The resulting Fact Sheet summarizes the hazards involved when asbestos fibers are released into the air. It highlights where the hazards may occur, including cleanup after natural disasters, during the manufacturing of asbestos-containing products, during renovations, construction and shipyard work to name a few.

The fact sheet also defines OSHA Standards to protect workers from exposure to asbestos fibers in many types of work places. And what protections exist for these Standards, including permissible exposure limits, assessment of workplaces, monitoring exposure levels, hazard communication, training and medical requirements for each industry.

OSHA notes that this fact sheet is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting their programs, policies or standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements.

We commend Linda for her tireless efforts to educate the public on the hazards of asbestos. Linda lost her husband Alan in 2006 to malignant pleural mesothelioma and fought back by becoming one of the most influential voices in the ban asbestos movement.

For more important information on asbestos from OSHA, please visit here.