Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Practice Exam

What is a significant safety concern when removing asbestos insulation?

1. Air quality contamination

2. Temperature extremes

3. Structural damage

4. Equipment malfunction

The correct answer is: Air quality contamination

Air quality contamination is a significant safety concern when removing asbestos insulation because asbestos fibers can become airborne during the disturbance of the material. When these fibers are inhaled, they pose serious health risks, including lung diseases and cancers, such as mesothelioma. Proper containment and ventilation measures must be implemented to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air during the removal process. In contrast, while temperature extremes, structural damage, and equipment malfunction can also present safety concerns, they do not directly relate to the primary hazard associated with asbestos removal. Temperature extremes may affect worker comfort and performance, structural damage can be a risk during demolition, and equipment malfunction could delay the project or pose immediate operational hazards. However, the foremost critical issue remains the potential for air quality contamination, which is unique to asbestos handling and its harmful effects on health.