IS 11770 (Part 1) : 2000Recommendations for control of emission of asbestos dust in premises manufacturing products containing asbestos, Part 1: Asbestos cement products
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IS 11770:2000 (Part 1) is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommendations for control of emission of asbestos dust in premises manufacturing products containing asbestos, part 1: asbestos cement products. This standard provides recommendations and a code of practice for controlling the emission of asbestos dust in premises manufacturing friction materials, such as brake linings and clutch facings. It focuses on protecting worker health and the environment by outlining engineering controls, work practices, air monitoring, personal protective equipment (PPE), and waste disposal procedures.
Recommendations for control of emission of asbestos dust in premises manufacturing products containing asbestos, Part 1: Asbestos cement products
! The use of asbestos in brake pads for new vehicles has been banned in India since 2017. This code is relevant for legacy facilities, the replacement market, or specific industrial applications still using asbestos.
! Effective implementation requires a combination of engineering controls (like LEV), administrative controls (work practices), and mandatory use of appropriate PPE (especially respirators).
! Regular air monitoring and medical surveillance are critical legal and safety requirements for any facility operating under these guidelines.
Safety in the use of asbestos: An ILO code of practiceILO (International Labour Organisation)
HighCurrent
Safety in the use of asbestos: An ILO code of practice
Provides international guidance on safe practices for all work involving asbestos, including mining, milling, and manufacturing.
ACOP L143 (Second edition)HSE (Health and Safety Executive), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
Managing and working with asbestos. Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Approved Code of Practice and guidance.
Details practical compliance with UK's legally binding asbestos regulations, covering control measures for all asbestos work.
29 CFR 1910.1001OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), USA
MediumCurrent
Asbestos (General Industry Standard)
Legally binding regulation in the US for protecting workers from asbestos exposure in general industry, including manufacturing.
Directive 2009/148/ECEuropean Parliament and Council, European Union
MediumCurrent
Directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work
Sets minimum legal requirements for worker protection across the EU, including binding exposure limits and control principles.
Key Differences
≠The occupational exposure limit in IS 11770 (2.0 fibres/ml over 4 hours) is 20 times less stringent than the limit in modern international standards like the UK's CAR 2012 and US OSHA (0.1 fibres/ml over 8 hours).
≠IS 11770 is a 'recommendation' standard for controlling emissions during active manufacturing of new asbestos products, whereas most current international regulations (e.g., EU, UK) are framed within a context of a complete ban on asbestos use, focusing on removal and management of existing materials.
≠International standards like OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1001 establish a lower 'action level' (0.05 f/cc) which triggers requirements for periodic monitoring and medical surveillance, a concept not specified in IS 11770.
≠IS 11770 is a voluntary standard, whereas its international counterparts like the UK's ACOP L143, the EU Directive, and US OSHA standards are either legally binding regulations or have a special legal status to demonstrate compliance with law.
Key Similarities
≈All standards emphasize the 'hierarchy of controls', prioritizing engineering controls like enclosure and ventilation over reliance on personal protective equipment (PPE).
≈The use of wet methods to suppress dust at the source is a fundamental and universally recommended practice across IS 11770 and all comparable international standards.
≈All frameworks mandate regular environmental air monitoring to assess worker exposure and the effectiveness of control measures.
≈A program of medical surveillance for exposed workers, including pre-employment and periodic health examinations, is a common requirement in both the Indian standard and its international equivalents.
≈Requirements for long-term retention of air monitoring and medical records (typically 30-40 years) are a shared feature, acknowledging the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Long-Term Exposure Limit (TWA)
2 fibres/ml (over 4 hours)
0.1 fibres/cm³ (equivalent to 0.1 f/ml) (over 8 hours)
Directive 2009/148/EC
Short-Term Exposure Limit
10 fibres/ml (over any 10 minutes)
1.0 fibre/cm³ (Excursion Limit over 30 minutes)
29 CFR 1910.1001
Routine Air Monitoring Frequency
At least once every six months.
Every 6 months if exposure is above the action level (0.05 f/cc) but at or below the PEL (0.1 f/cc).
29 CFR 1910.1001
Medical Surveillance Frequency
At least once a year.
Annually for employees exposed above the action level for 30+ days/year.
29 CFR 1910.1001
Air Monitoring Record Retention
40 years from the date of last entry.
At least 30 years.
29 CFR 1910.1001
Medical Record Retention
40 years after the last date of employment.
Duration of employment plus 30 years.
29 CFR 1910.1001
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Duct Velocity
Should be maintained between 15 to 20 m/s.
Generally recommended at 18-20 m/s to ensure transport of heavy dusts.
HSE ACOP L143 / General industrial hygiene principles
Use of Respirators (PPE)
Mandatory if exposure exceeds 2 fibres/ml.
Required when engineering/work practice controls cannot maintain exposure below the PEL (0.1 f/cc).
29 CFR 1910.1001
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
Permissible Exposure Limit (TWA) for Asbestos Fibres0.1 fibres/cm³
To provide guidelines for controlling asbestos dust exposure in factories making friction materials (e.g., brake pads) to protect worker health.
What is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos dust?+
The code specifies a Time-Weighted Average (TWA) limit of 0.1 fibres per cubic centimeter (fibres/cm³) of air over an 8-hour period.
What is the most important engineering control method recommended?+
The use of enclosed processes combined with Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems to capture asbestos dust at its source before it becomes airborne.
Is this code still relevant given the ban on asbestos?+
Yes, for any facility still handling asbestos for replacement parts or specific industrial friction applications, and for managing historical contamination or waste.