Asbestos is a microscopic fiber that can stay in the air for hours and even days. Once you inhale the fibers, they can damage your lungs and even cause various forms of cancer. There is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure, so it is important to avoid being exposed to it.

That is why any activity that involves removing asbestos-containing material or presumed asbestos containing material or any repair or maintenance activity that is likely to disturb such materials must be done in what is referred to as a “regulated area.” Within the regulated area there is a reasonable possibility that you will be exposed to asbestos fibers, which is why access to the area is restricted to properly trained and authorized individuals only.

For areas where asbestos is being removed, the regulated area will be enclosed in plastic. Regulated areas where repair or maintenance is occurring may not be entirely enclosed in plastic. However, all regulated areas will be clearly marked with signs that read:

DANGER
ASBESTOS
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

If the asbestos activity inside the regulated area requires respirators and protective clothing, the sign will also include:

DANGER
WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION AND
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING IN THIS AREA

The signs will be posted at the regulated area and at all approaches to the regulated area. If you are not properly trained and authorized to enter the regulated area, do not pass these signs.

Employees who are trained and authorized to work within the regulated area must have all necessary protective clothing and, if required, properly fitted and functioning respirators before passing the signs and entering the regulated area. Once inside the regulated area, employees may not eat, drink, smoke, chew tobacco, chew gum, or apply cosmetics. When leaving the regulated area, make sure you properly clean and remove of all protective clothing and equipment.

If you notice anything that you think is not right in or around a regulated area, contact the competent person and ask them to come take a look. For example, say something if you notice:

• Missing signs;
• Rips in plastic enclosures or in a person’s protective clothing;
• Actions that may cause asbestos fibers to become airborne, such as dry sweeping; or
• People leaving the regulated area without removing their protective clothing.

If you request that the competent person come look at something, they are required to make an inspection.

So, to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure, know where asbestos work is going on and how it is being contained, and speak up if you see anything unusual in those areas.