PRO-FM5950.01A Penetrating building materials

Effective Date: September 13, 2002; reformatted April 27, 2007

Approved by: Director of Facilities Management and Director of Environmental Health & Safety

See Also

Policy U5950.01

Background

This procedure is for small scale, short duration work only. Larger scale projects must comply with the WWU Lead Protection Program, including a written Lead Work Plan and/or with current asbestos regulations.

Procedures

Action by: Action
FM Employee If a penetration of a building structure is greater than 1 square foot of surface or if work includes window glazing, completes a FM Pre-work Hazard Form to comply with asbestos regulations.
  Takes the completed Pre-work Hazard form to the FM Certified Asbestos Supervisor/Insulator.
FM Certified Asbestos Supervisor/Insulator Evaluates the project for asbestos impact by reviewing the University’s good faith asbestos survey for the work area.
  Specifies personal protective equipment and work methods.
  Determines if a certified asbestos worker must perform the work.
  Keeps a copy of the Pre-work Hazard form and gives a copy to the employee performing the work.
  If the project involves asbestos-containing materials, follows asbestos protocols instead of this procedure.
FM Employee If the area of a building penetration is LESS THAN 1 square foot of surface, reviews the shop’s Hazard Assessment Certification and determines what specified personal protective equipment is to be worn, as required, for protection regarding possible exposure to asbestos and/or lead.
 

Assembles the following:

  • Work tools,
  • Materials if wet work:
    • Plastic sheeting,
    • Cleanup rags or towels,
    • Water spray bottle
    • Shave cream can or wetting agent (as needed for type of penetration)
  • Personal protective equipment, as required
  • Plastic bags

Note   If a HEPA vacuum cleaner is used to control dust, contacts the FM Certified Asbestos Supervisor/Insulator or designee.
 

Cuts the penetration or removes glazing to keep dust from forming in one of the following two ways: 

  • Uses a wet method, as follows
    • Lays plastic if near carpet,
    • Puts on personal protective equipment, as required,
    • Wets the surface area, if not penetrating through a cup of shave cream,
    • Cuts the penetration misting with water to knock dust from the air –OR– drilling through a cup of shave cream,
    • Cleans up all exterior dust by wetting and wiping with damp or wet rags or towels,
    • Places debris into a plastic bag and closes, and
    • Washes hands.
  • Uses a HEPA vacuum cleaner immediately next to the cut to collect dust, places debris into a bag and washes hands when done.
 
  • Vacuums debris from the wall cavity only if necessary with a HEPA vacuum cleaner using the following approach:
    • Contacts the FM Certified Asbestos Supervisor/ Insulator or designee for vacuum cleaner location.
    • Obtains the vacuum and uses it.
    • Returns the HEPA vacuum as specified by the FM Certified Asbestos Supervisor/Insulator or designee.
  Takes the bag of debris to a dumpster for disposal.