Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Practice Exam

What is OSHA's current Excursion Limit for asbestos in the construction industry?

1. 0.3 f/cc

2. 1.0 f/cc

3. 0.25 f/cc

4. 0.6 f/cc

The correct answer is: 1.0 f/cc

The correct answer reflects OSHA's established exposure limit for asbestos in the construction industry. The current permissible exposure limit for asbestos is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as an eight-hour time-weighted average, but it's important to connect this with the excursion limit, which is set higher to account for short-term exposure levels. OSHA's excursion limit is determined to safeguard workers from sudden spikes in exposure during specific tasks or situations where higher levels of airborne asbestos fibers may be present. The excursion limit allows for a maximum of 1.0 f/cc over a sampling duration of 30 minutes, recognizing that while prolonged exposure must be limited, short-term spikes may not in themselves pose an immediate threat if they are followed by periods of lower exposure. Thus, identifying the excursion limit correctly emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe work environments where sudden, short-term exposures are minimized, further promoting the protection of worker health in the construction industry.