EARTHWORK CONSTRUCTION IN SOILS AND ROCK CONTAINING NATURALLY OCCURRING ASBESTOS

The presence of naturally occurring asbestos can present challenges to safe and economical earthwork construction. The understanding of exposure pathways allows the development of safe construction techniques. The teaming of knowledgeable construction personnel, regulatory staff, and professionals allows the development of economical construction methods. Additional challenges are created by the constantly changing state of knowledge of naturally occurring asbestos. The management of naturally occurring asbestos in a construction project starts with a reasonable effort to characterize the occurrence on a project site. The elements of characterization, including geologic observation, laboratory testing, and subsurface exploration, at best can only provide a screening level of understanding. Characterization must be performed continuously through the life of the construction project. A finished project may contain some potential risks that must be managed if mitigation measures require maintenance, repair, or modification. By far, the most important characterization tool is the knowledge of the project leaders regarding the geologic occurrence of naturally occurring asbestos within the project setting. The translation of this knowledge to educate everyone involved in the project (including the end users) about naturally occurring asbestos is crucial to keeping the project both safe and economical.