NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide Employee Training Module Revision date: June 2011

NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide

Employee Training Module

Revision date: June 2011

Introduction

NSSGA supports rigorous regulation to prevent over-exposure to harmful asbestos which has long been regulated as a carcinogen.

Very often analytical methods that were designed to measure commercial asbestos in built environments are inappropriately applied in natural environments resulting in the misidentification of rock fragments as asbestos.

Introduction

In addition, naturally occurring asbestos may be present in very small concentrations in some of the same rock types as those that are mined for aggregate production across the U.S.

The aggregates industry does not have asbestos-related disease in its workforce and has not been associated with asbestos in its products.

Introduction

In 2009 NSSGA published the Mineral Identification and Management Guide to assess whether protocol mineral fibers are present at aggregates operations.

The purpose of this module is to provide a training template to educate aggregates’ workforces about how to differentiate between naturally occurring asbestos and common rock fragments. The module also provides some background and training on implementation of the Guide.

Overview

Asbestos - definition and characteristics

Rock fragment v. asbestos fiber

Regulations Health effects of

asbestos Mineral ID &

Management Guide

Asbestos is naturally occurring

Asbestos defined

Asbestos – commercial term referring to a group of six regulated mineral forms that share a unique set of physical properties

Asbestos defined

Each of the six regulated minerals occurs in both asbestiform and non-asbestiform or prismatic variety. Same chemical composition, but different structure (morphology).

Same chemical composition – Ca2(MgFe)5Si8O22(OH)2

Different physical characteristics caused by geologic conditions – temperature and pressure –RARE

Crushing/processing ROCK will not produce ASBESTOS FIBERS

ASBESTOS ROCK

Actinolite asbestos is one of the six regulated asbestos minerals. Non-asbestiform Actinolite is not regulated.

Actinolite asbestos

Actinolite

Same chemical composition – H2O Different physical characteristics caused by

environmental conditions Crushing ice will not give you snowflakes

Two forms of the same substance

Asbestos characteristics

Long, thin, flexible fibers or bundles of fibers… Parallel fibers with splayed ends

“aspect ratio”= length : width

Other physical properties of asbestos… high tensile strength ability to be woven resistance to chemical and

thermal decomposition high electrical resistance


“Commercial asbestos” – mined, milled, and processed…

Pipe insulation containing chrysotile asbestos


Asbestos or Rock?

Asbestos: Long, thin flexible fibers….

Asbestos or Rock?

Asbestos or Rock?

It is critical to use a laboratory familiar with analyzing naturally occurring (v. commercial) asbestos samples.

Polarized Light Microscopy

Asbestos fibers Non-asbestos cleavage fragments

Asbestos Regulations

OSHA Asbestos Standard Promulgated 1986-1994 PEL of 0.1 fiber/cc for six regulated minerals

MSHA Asbestos Standard Old PEL was 2 fibers/cc New standard in 2008 New PEL of 0.1 fiber/cc for six regulated

minerals California has regulations defining “restricted

material” as that containing ≥ 0.25% asbestos.

Health Effects of Asbestos

Diseases caused by overexposure to asbestos Asbestosis Lung cancer Mesothelioma

Asbestos related diseases

are not present in the

aggregates industry.

Non-asbestiform cleavage fragments/ROCKS

No asbestos related disease is associated with exposure to cleavage/rock fragments.

Peer reviewed studies established that asbestosis and mesothelioma are not found in the aggregates industry. All relevant cell toxicology, epidemiological, and animal toxicology studies were evaluated.

Studies were published in Journal of Regulatory Toxicology & Pharmacology, VOL. 52, #1, OCT. 2008, SUPP. #1

Mineral Identification and Management Guide

NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide – August 2009

The Guide is applicable for any mine site located in areas where igneous or metamorphic rock are mined for aggregate, including sand and gravel pits derived primarily from such igneous and metamorphic parent material.


Purpose of the Guide is to determine… The absence or presence of “protocol mineral fibers” in

the deposit. Note: Protocol mineral fibers include the six regulated asbestos minerals, all durable asbestiform amphiboles, and all durable asbestiform zeolites such as erionite and mordenite.

The mineralogy of any asbestiform material The quantity and distribution of any asbestiform

minerals Based on the findings, what steps, if any, may be

appropriate to manage the site and maintain sound working conditions.

Step 1 - Periodic on-site geologic inspections Annually, or at such periods established by a geology

professional, inspect each of the mines for the possible presence of “protocol mineral fibers”

Results of the inspection should be documented consistently with other company records and procedures.

Train employees at site to ID and report suspect material.


Step 1. Periodic geologic inspection


Step 2 - Program for Testing Settled Dust


Step 2 - Program for Testing Settled Dust Sampling plates or containers are to be located in

surge tunnels or locations such that the sample reflects a composite of the complete production of a site.

Samples are collected semi-annually or quarterly depending on the needs of the location.

The sample is analyzed by an approved laboratory for asbestiform minerals.

If asbestiform minerals are identified, further steps should be taken.


Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic SurveyStep 3 – Qualitative Geologic Survey

A Qualitative Geologic Survey should be conducted at a mining site under any of the following conditions:

1. Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed as a result of on-site inspections by the geology staff;

2. Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed in the settled dust samples from a site as a result of ongoing Settled Dust Program;

3. Protocol mineral fibers are confirmed at a site during normal operations, as a result of drilling or other geologic or mining activity; or

4. A governmental agency determines that protocol mineral fibers may be present at a site.


Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic SurveyOther reasons to do a qualitative geologic survey include:Other reasons to do a qualitative geologic survey include: Expansion of operations at an existing mining site Expansion of operations at an existing mining site

which is subject to the guidewhich is subject to the guide Development of a greenfield site subject to this guide Development of a greenfield site subject to this guide

as a mining siteas a mining site


Step 3 – Qualitative Geologic Survey The purpose of this survey is to locate and define the The purpose of this survey is to locate and define the

source and distribution of the protocol mineral fibers by a source and distribution of the protocol mineral fibers by a detailed field assessment conducted by geology staff (or detailed field assessment conducted by geology staff (or consultant).consultant).


Step 4 – Further steps If the Qualitative Geologic

Survey, in conjunction with a comprehensive mine plan, shows that protocol mineral fibers may occur at a site a plan for future action should be developed.


Step 4 – Further stepsMay include… modification of the mine plan where protocol mineral fibers modification of the mine plan where protocol mineral fibers

occur;occur; visual identification plan;visual identification plan; increased settled dust sampling; increased settled dust sampling; product sampling. product sampling.


Step 4 – Further stepsMay include… implementation of air sampling;implementation of air sampling;

NSSGA/MSHA Noise and Dust Workshop


Step 4 – Further steps

May include… TrainingTraining

EmployeeEmployee CustomersCustomers NeighborsNeighbors

Medical MonitoringMedical Monitoring Medical monitoring can be an important part of your

employee health and safety program. Refer to NSSGA Occupational Health Program for more

information.


Added Considerations for Use of this Added Considerations for Use of this Training ModuleTraining Module

It is important to note that this training is intended for two primary purposes. One is to train interested parties on the NSSGA Mineral Identification & Management Guide including its origins and application. The other is as a template for an employee training module as part of the implementation of the Guide. In both uses, it is critical that this training module be adapted for the specific needs and issues relevant to the company/organization. This should include adding slides, deleting slides and modifying content as appropriate.

Discussion and Discussion and QuestionsQuestions

Documents

NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide Employee Training Module Revision date: June 2011