All Courses Training Packages Enterprise Request a Quote
Industries
Construction Manufacturing Municipal & Utilities Oil & Gas Transportation Healthcare Office & Corporate
Course Categories
Safety Training Construction Safety HR Compliance HAZMAT & HAZWOPER Driver & Fleet Safety Workplace Culture & Soft Skills Healthcare & Patient Safety Environmental Compliance
Sign In
1-800-287-5942 Start Today Request a Quote
Create Your Employer Account
Home›Courses›Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER›Asbestos Cement Pipe Safety (Public Agency) Interactive Training

Asbestos Cement Pipe Safety (Public Agency) Interactive Training

19 minutesENHazardous Materials & HAZWOPER29 CFR 1926.1101 (Construction), 29 CFR 1910.1001 (General Industry)
Quick Answer

Asbestos Cement Pipe Safety (Public Agency) is a 19-minute online course that teaches water and wastewater utility workers how to safely work around asbestos cement pipe, including identification, safe handling procedures, and OSHA compliance requirements under 29 CFR 1926.1101 and 29 CFR 1910.1001. It is designed for public agency workers in water and wastewater systems and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Asbestos cement pipe was widely used in water and wastewater systems from the 1930s through the 1970s, and much of it remains in service across thousands of municipal systems today. These pipes can contain 20% or more asbestos by weight. When workers cut, drill, break, or otherwise disturb asbestos cement pipe during maintenance, repair, or replacement operations, asbestos fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled. OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter as an 8-hour time-weighted average, with an excursion limit of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter over any 30-minute period.

This course trains your public agency employees on the specific hazards associated with asbestos cement pipe and the safe work practices required to minimize exposure during routine maintenance and emergency repair operations. Your team will learn how to identify asbestos-containing pipe materials, understand the health effects of asbestos exposure, select appropriate personal protective equipment, and follow the work practices required by OSHA's asbestos standards.

What You'll Learn

  • Identification of asbestos cement pipe materials in water and wastewater systems
  • Health effects of asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis
  • OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL) and excursion limits for asbestos
  • Safe work practices for cutting, breaking, and removing asbestos cement pipe
  • Personal protective equipment requirements for working with asbestos-containing materials
  • Employer responsibilities under 29 CFR 1926.1101 and 29 CFR 1910.1001
  • Proper disposal procedures for asbestos-containing waste materials

Who Needs This Training

  • Water and wastewater utility workers who encounter asbestos cement pipe during repairs and maintenance
  • Public works crews performing excavation near aging water and sewer infrastructure
  • Supervisors and crew leads overseeing pipe repair, replacement, and tap operations
  • Municipal safety officers responsible for asbestos compliance in utility operations
  • New utility workers who need asbestos awareness training before beginning fieldwork
  • Maintenance staff at water treatment plants with asbestos-containing pipe systems

Regulatory Background

OSHA regulates asbestos exposure under two primary standards: 29 CFR 1910.1001 for general industry and 29 CFR 1926.1101 for construction activities. The construction standard applies when workers disturb asbestos-containing materials during repair, maintenance, or demolition, which is the typical scenario for public agency workers handling asbestos cement pipe. OSHA's PEL for asbestos is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter as an 8-hour TWA, with an excursion limit of 1.0 f/cc over 30 minutes. The construction standard classifies asbestos work into four classes, with most utility pipe work falling under Class II or Class III. Training requirements vary by class, with a minimum of 2 hours for Class IV awareness training. Serious violations of OSHA's asbestos standards carry penalties up to $16,550 per violation, with willful violations reaching $165,514 per violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Asbestos cement pipe is typically gray in color, lighter in weight than ductile iron or steel, and produces a dull thud rather than a metallic ring when tapped. Pipe installed before the 1980s in water and wastewater systems should be presumed to contain asbestos unless testing confirms otherwise. Workers should never assume a pipe is asbestos-free based on appearance alone. When in doubt, treat the material as presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM) until laboratory analysis is completed.
Under 29 CFR 1926.1101, training requirements depend on the class of asbestos work being performed. Workers performing Class II operations, such as removing intact asbestos cement pipe, must receive training specific to their work type. Workers performing Class IV operations, such as cleanup and maintenance, must receive at least 2 hours of asbestos awareness training. All training must be provided before the work begins and repeated at least annually.
Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen), lung cancer, and asbestosis (progressive scarring of lung tissue). These diseases typically develop 10 to 40 years after exposure, meaning workers may not experience symptoms until decades after their exposure occurred. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure, which is why OSHA requires strict controls for any work that may disturb asbestos-containing materials.
At minimum, workers should use a half-face air-purifying respirator with HEPA filters (P100 or equivalent) when cutting, breaking, or disturbing asbestos cement pipe. Disposable coveralls, gloves, and eye protection are also required. OSHA prohibits the use of filtering facepiece respirators (dust masks) for asbestos work. The specific PPE requirements depend on the class of work and the results of any exposure monitoring performed at the worksite.
This course provides foundational asbestos safety awareness at approximately 19 minutes. OSHA's construction standard at 29 CFR 1926.1101(k)(9)(vi) requires a minimum of 2 hours for Class IV asbestos awareness training. Employers should verify their specific training requirements based on the class of work their employees perform and supplement this course with additional training as needed to meet the applicable time and content requirements.

Related Courses

Public agencies with asbestos exposure risks often pair this course with Asbestos Exposure: Hazards and Prevention for a more comprehensive understanding of asbestos regulations and control measures. For water and wastewater utilities needing broader chemical safety training, the HAZWOPER & Chemical Safety bundle covers hazardous materials handling, GHS labeling, chemical spill containment, and respiratory protection.

Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER

Anhydrous Ammonia

35 min - EN

$29.95View Course
Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER

Asbestos (Construction) Online Course

60 min - EN

$34.95View Course
Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER

Asbestos Exposure: Hazards and Prevention

29 min - EN / ES / MLCC

$29.95View Course
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

Need Help?
1-800-287-5942 Request a Custom Quote
$24.95
per person