New EPA Asbestos Brochure Targets Auto Mechanics

As a home mechanic, what can I do to protect myself from asbestos exposure?
If you are not able to determine whether your brakes or clutch contain asbestos, you may want to consider having your brakes or clutch serviced at a commercial automotive shop. As noted above, OSHA requires special work practices for professional automotive technicians. If, however,this is not possible and you do not have access to the equipment professional automotive shops use to comply with the OSHA work practices, you may want to consider using the wet wipe method described in this brochure. This method has been deemed acceptable by OSHA for shops that service no more than five brake or clutch jobs per week.

 

Work Practice Don'ts for Home Mechanics:  It is recommended that you...

• Do not use compressed air for cleaning. Compressed air blows dust into the air.
• Do not clean brakes or clutches with a dry rag, brush (wet or dry), or garden hose.
• Do not use an ordinary wet/dry vac without a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to vacuum dust. Invisible particles of brake or clutch dust can stay in the air and on your clothes long after a job is complete.
• Avoid taking work clothing inside the home or tracking dust through the house after performing brake and clutch work to prevent exposing your family to dust particles that may contain asbestos.

 

Work Practice Do's for Home Mechanics: It is recommended that you:

• Use pre-ground, ready-to-install parts.
• If a brake or clutch lining must be drilled,grooved, cut, bevelled, or lathe-turned, use low speeds to keep down the amount of dust created.
• Use machinery with a local exhaust dust collection system equipped with HEPA filtration to prevent dust exposures and work area contamination.
• Change into clean clothes before going inside the home and wash soiled clothes separately.
• Minimize exposure to others by keeping bystanders, as well as food and drinks, away from the work area.
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