Asbestos Foundational Awareness (Level 1) OCHS 1015

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Describe asbestos and historical use of asbestos in building materials, industrial settings, and manufactured products
• Describe the different types of asbestos-containing materials and associated hazards
• Describe the abatement process and abatement work
• Define asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
• Distinguish between friable and non-friable ACMs
• Explain the purposes of hazardous material surveying and the sampling process
• Explain the purpose of air monitoring for asbestos, when it is required, and where to find the results
• List the primary routes of exposure to asbestos
• Describe the health effects of asbestos exposure (e.g., asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer)
• Describe acceptable workplace and personal hygiene practices
• Explain the synergistic effects of asbestos exposure and other exposures (e.g., smoking)
• Explain what exposure limits are
• Explain the importance of health monitoring (e.g., pulmonary function test and/or annual chest x-rays)
• Explain how and when to access the WorkSafeBC Exposure Registry Program
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of workers, supervisors, and employers under the Workers Compensation Act
• Identify when external expertise is required
• Identify sections of the OHS Regulation (Parts 6 and 20) that are associated with asbestos‑related work
• Explain their right to know about hazards in the workplace, right to participate in health and safety activities in the workplace, and right to refuse unsafe work
• Explain the “as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) principle
• Explain distinctions between low-, moderate-, and high-risk work procedures
• Explain the purpose of workplace orientations, including young and new worker orientation and training
• Explain how to contact WorkSafeBC, if required
• Discuss the purposes of exposure control plans, hazardous materials surveys, and safe work procedures
• Identify requirements for licence to transport and identify requirements for transportation of dangerous goods (TGD)​

Effective as of Fall 2023