Safety & Risk Management

California Health and Safety Code, §25915 (Asbestos Notification) requires the owner of any building constructed prior to 1979 to notify employees in writing of the existence of asbestos in those buildings.  California State University, Bakersfield has an Asbestos Management Plan that provides procedures for asbestos work and employee protection. This plan complies with requirements of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 8, §1529 Construction Safety Order and §5208 General Industry Safety Orders.
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Campus-wide asbestos surveys have been conducted, and provide comprehensive information on the location and types of asbestos materials located within our facilities. This information is compiled in a database which is available in the Office of Safety and Risk Management. Asbestos containing building materials are present in many CSUB buildings. As buildings are renovated, these materials are removed.  CSUB is committed to safe handling and effective management of asbestos.

The University employs one Certified Asbestos Consultant / Certified Asbestos Inspector / Asbestos Management Planner / Project Designer and Supervisor/Contractor in Safety and Risk Management and three licensed asbestos Supervisors/Contractors in Facilities Management.  Our licensed professionals can conduct building material surveys, coordinate and supervise asbestos construction activities, perform air monitoring, provide training, and remove limited amounts of asbestos containing materials (ACM).
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Asbestos is most hazardous when it is friable. The term "friable" means that the asbestos is easily crumbled by hand pressure, potentially releasing fibers into the air.  Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, floor tiles/mastic, undamaged laboratory cabinet tops, roofing, fire doors, exterior stucco, etc. will not readily release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or damaged in some way.  If you are uncertain as to whether or not a material contains asbestos, you must assume it does. Qualified individuals will determine the presence or absence of asbestos in building materials. Never drill, hammer, cut, saw, break, damage, move, or disturb any ACM or suspect material.

Disturbance of asbestos containing materials is closely regulated by the federal government under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, the state government under CAL OSHA regulations (8 CCR 1529 and 5208) and by the local Air Quality Management District. Disturbance of asbestos containing materials may only be conducted under the supervision of staff whose level of training meets the CAL OSHA requirements for "competent person".

Facilities Management must be consulted before any building materials are altered or disturbed. All construction work must be conducted in compliance with the terms specified in CSUB CAL OSHA Certificate of Registration for Asbestos Related Work.  The Cal OSHA asbestos work registration is revised annually and is available for review by contacting the S&RM Office.

Information regarding the location of asbestos containing materials on the CSUB campus may be obtained from S&RM, or by accessing the document below:

CSUB ASBESTOS SURVEY SUMMARY 2013

ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE CARE AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATION (OFFICES)