Code of Massachusetts Regulations
454 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS
Title 454 CMR 28.00 - The Removal, Containment, Maintenance, or Encapsulation of Asbestos
Section 28.14 - Work Practices for Asbestos Cement Pipe (ACP)
Universal Citation: 454 MA Code of Regs 454.28
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) Asbestos Cement Pipe Maintenance and Repair Requirements.
(a) Public and Private Utility Contractors or
other entities who have completed the "eighthour OSHA Class II Asbestos
Training: Asbestos Cement Pipe (ACP) Worker Safety" course found at
454
CMR 28.05 or a course similar in length and
content reviewed and approved in writing by the Department shall comply with
the following provisions and procedures.
1.
Complete a survey as required under
310
CMR 7.15(12A)(b).
2. Asbestos-cement pipe shall be handled in a
manner that will minimize the risk of making it friable ACM or releasing
asbestos dust into the environment, and with minimal disturbance.
3. Expose the asbestos cement pipe without
disturbing the pipe. Excavate no closer than six inches of the pipe. Carefully
uncover the remainder of the soil surrounding the pipe by hand or with a
shovel.
4. An assessment shall be
made by a person trained per
454
CMR 28.05(9) to determine
if the pipe is damaged, cracked or broken.
a.
Not Damaged (intact and not deteriorated):
i.
Place six-mil thick polyethylene ("poly") sheeting under the asbestos cement
pipe to prevent soil contamination.
ii. Adequately wet the asbestos cement pipe
with amended water using surfactant or liquid soap before and during removal to
avoid creating airborne dust.
iii.
Separate the asbestos cement pipe at the nearest coupling (bell or compression
fitting).
iv. Slide the pipe apart
at the joints (no saw cutting) or use other methods that do not cause the pipe
to break, become friable or otherwise create the potential to release asbestos
fibers.
v. Wrap the wet asbestos
cement pipe and other debris in two layers of six-mil polyethylene sheeting,
seal with duct tape and label in accordance with all applicable regulatory
requirements. This can be done in the trench or adjacent to the
trench.
vi. If the trench is filled
with water, the placement of polyethylene sheeting is not required.
vii. Manage wrapped asbestos cement pipe,
polyethylene sheeting and any other material contaminated with visible asbestos
debris as asbestos-containing waste (ACW) in accordance with
310
CMR 7.15: U Asbestos and
310
CMR 19.061: Special
Waste
b.
Damaged (deteriorated or not intact) or when cutting or mechanical breakage
(e.g., with saws, snap or blade cutting, and/or tapping) is
necessary:
i. Place six-mil thick polyethylene
sheeting under the asbestos cement pipe to prevent soil
contamination.
ii. Adequately wet
asbestos cement pipe with amended water where cutting or breaking will
occur.
iii. Saw cutting of asbestos
cement pipe shall only be conducted with a HEPA-shrouded vacuum attachment or
wet cutting equipment, unless it is conducted within a small enclosure that
isolates the area in which the saw cutting is being conducted to prevent the
release of asbestos fibers to ambient air.
iv. Wrap wet asbestos cement pipe in two
layers of six-mil polyethylene sheeting, seal with duct tape and label. Work
shall be done either in the trench or adjacent to the trench.
v. Manage wrapped asbestos cement pipe,
polyethylene sheeting and any other material contaminated with visible asbestos
debris as asbestos-containing waste (ACW) in accordance with
310
CMR 7.15: U Asbestos and
310
CMR 19.061: Special
Waste
c. For
activities that disturb friable ACM, no visible emissions shall be discharged
to the outside air during the collection, processing, packaging or transporting
of any ACM or ACW.
5. The
final visual inspection shall be satisfied by complying with the following
requirements:
a. The visual inspection shall
be performed by a person trained per
454
CMR 28.05(9).
b. The person conducting the final visual
inspection shall:
c. Inspect the
work area to ensure there was no visible debris remaining:
i. In the excavation trench;
ii. In soil excavated from the
trench;
iii. In the surrounding
area adjacent to the trench after the removal of the asbestos cement pipe;
and
iv. On any tools used during
the removal/repair/replacement activities.
d. Ensure that all ACM has been removed for
proper storage/disposal.
e. Sign
and date the documentation of the final inspection as evidence that the
inspection was performed and that the condition of "no remaining visible
debris" was met. Owners/operators shall keep such documentation at their
regular place of business for two years from the date of final visual
inspection and provide it to the Department upon request.
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