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Upgrades continue on ventilation system
Work is continuing with upgrades to the MHCC ventilation system, and various areas will be affected during February, according to Karen Reynolds, Mt. Hood Community College environmental health and safety manager.
Before this work begins, an asbestos abatement contractor will open the ceiling in the affected area and clean any fireproofing debris that has fallen on top of the ceiling tiles, Reynolds said. This is done to protect employees and the workers who are installing and wiring the digital controls, she said.
Orange tags have been or will be placed on the doors to the rooms where the work is occurring. The ceiling penetrations will be sealed with plastic or taped down cardboard so that the next set of workers will be able to access the ventilation boxes.
Asbestos containing, Monocote fireproofing, 5 percent Chrysotile, has been applied to the structural members of the Main Academic Center with the exception of the 1700-2700 wing. Abatement and cleanup efforts have taken place over the past 20 years and are recorded on the asbestos survey maps. A database of asbestos air monitoring and bulk sample results is maintained in the MHCC, Environmental Health and Safety Office, Room 165 and the maintenance shop.
The fireproofing is in good condition in most areas, Reynolds said. However, the potential for asbestos containing debris is a concern. In the absence of an asbestos analysis of the debris in each area of work, the college assumes that any debris on top of the ceiling tiles is “potential asbestos containing material,” PACM, and any above- ceiling work that could cause this material to enter the employee work areas must be coordinated by the Environmental Health and
Safety and Facilities Management.
The greatest concern for employees are small asbestos fibers that can become lodged in the lungs, Reynolds said. Air monitoring on the workers who vacuum these areas has been significantly below the OSHA permissible levels and air monitoring in the employee areas below has met the DEQ clearance level indicating that respirable fiber counts are at the lowest detectable levels. Fortunately, according to Reynolds, the large particles that have been seen when the fireproofing becomes friable are not creating airborne asbestos fibers. Nonetheless, cleaning up this debris when it falls into the work environment is important.
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