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Most of us consider asbestos hazards in the workplace a thing of the past. After all, asbestos has been banned in buildings for many years, and most asbestos has been removed. However, a recent OSHA alert challenges that belief.

A recent Arizona OSHA alert warns that some employees may face daily asbestos hazards in the workplace. The alert specifically addresses the presence of asbestos in the clutches and brakes of older model cars and trucks, which presents a hazard to mechanics and others in the industry.

Most newer cars do not use brakes or clutches that contain asbestos, according to OSHA. However, auto mechanics are often called upon to repair older cars, which exposes them to the hazardous material.

Although OSHA can’t regulate “do-it-yourselfers,” it strongly recommends that consumers allow professionals to tackle any brake or clutch repairs, to minimize asbestos exposure.

The primary danger of asbestos occurs because it easily breaks into tiny, fibrous airborne particles that can be inhaled. These particles are too small to see with the naked eye, but they can cause lasting damage. About 10,000 people in the U.S. die each year of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer.

There is no easy way to determine which brakes and clutches contain asbestos, so employees need to handle every part brake shoe and clutch as if it contained asbestos.

OSHA regulations require that every employer in an affected industry establish written procedures to minimize asbestos hazards. The employer is responsible for training workers in the procedures, and for ensuing that every employee follows them. It’s worth noting that one employee who handles a brake shoe improperly is exposing everyone in the shop to risky levels of asbestos.

Asbestos control measures focus on wetting the asbestos to minimize the number of particles flying through the air, and storing the product in a tightly sealed, labeled bag.

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