Corps Of Engineers Removes Asbestos At  Elementary School

As part of the DC Public Schools Capital Improvement Program, the boilers at Savoy Elementary School are being replaced. On April 30, while demolishing an old boiler in preparation for a new replacement boiler, a contractor, W.M. Schlosser of Hyattsville, Md., inadvertently released asbestos fibers from an inaccessible area. The room where the boiler is located was abated for asbestos prior to the start of work. The contractor sampled for asbestos prior to beginning demolition and the results were negative. Corps officials are investigating the incident to ensure all safety and protocol procedures were properly followed in connection with this work.

According to Corps officials, as soon as an industrial hygienist identified the asbestos material, all work was halted in the school. Air samples were taken, and the results showed an elevated level of asbestos in aportion of the building. The building has been closed until the affected areas can be cleaned and tested, and sample results indicate it is safe for students to return. Cleanup activities are under way and officials estimate this work will take two days. 

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	Did You Know?
	Employer must institute a medical surveillance program with concentrations of asbestos at or above the PEL and/or EL. Such Asbestos medical exams must occur at a reasonable time and place and shall be provided at no cost to the employee. At a minimum, such examinations must include a medical and work history; a complete physical examination with emphasis on the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, and the digestive tract; a chest X-ray; pulmonary function tests; respiratory disease standardized questionnaire as set forth in 29 CFR 1910.100l Appendix D, Part 1 of the standard.