What is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos under this old standard?

The 8-hour TWA is 2 fibres/ml for chrysotile and amosite, and a much stricter 0.2 fibres/ml for crocidolite (Clause 4).

Is this standard still in use?

No, it was superseded. For Chrysotile asbestos, use IS 11451 (Part 1):2013. For Amphibole asbestos, use IS 11451 (Part 2):2014.

What kind of medical surveillance was required?

It mandated pre-employment and periodic medical examinations, including chest X-rays, lung function tests, and maintenance of medical records for 20 years post-employment (Clause 9).

What method is used to count asbestos fibres?

The standard specifies collecting air samples on a membrane filter and counting fibres using a phase-contrast optical microscope (PCM) at 400-500x magnification (Annex A).

IS 11451

: 1986

Recommendations for Safety and Health Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Asbestos

CurrentSpecializedSafety CodeEnvironmental · Cement Matrix Products

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This standard provides recommendations for safety and health requirements in workplaces involving occupational exposure to asbestos. It specifies permissible exposure limits (PELs) for different types of asbestos, mandates regular air monitoring, and outlines engineering controls, work practices, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure. The code also details requirements for medical surveillance of workers and procedures for safe disposal of asbestos waste.

Recommendations for Safety and Health Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Asbestos

Quick Reference Values

Permissible TWA for Chrysotile & Amosite2 fibres/ml

Permissible TWA for Crocidolite0.2 fibres/ml

Maximum short-term exposure limit (15 min) for Chrysotile10 fibres/ml

Medical records retention period20 years after employment termination

Frequency of air monitoringAt least every 6 months

Practical Notes

This standard is OBSOLETE and has been superseded by IS 11451 (Part 1):2013 and IS 11451 (Part 2):2014. Always refer to the latest versions for current legal and safety compliance.

The code makes a critical distinction between different types of asbestos (e.g., chrysotile vs. crocidolite), which have vastly different exposure limits due to their varying health risks.

Exposure limits are specified as an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA), requiring full-shift monitoring to assess compliance.