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WISHA REGIONAL DIRECTIVE WISHA Services Department of Labor and Industries 23.30 ASBESTOS-CONTAINING JOINT COMPOUND IN WALLBOARD SYSTEMS Date Issued: December 28, 2000 Background Joint compound used on wallboard systems often contains asbestos added during the mixing process to improve the working texture of the material. The asbestos in the joint compound is typically much less than 5 percent by weight and the joint compound makes up a minor fraction of the material in the wallboard system. Where work with the wallboard system does not involve sanding,grinding or abrading the wall surface,joint compound will generally remain intact on the surface of the wallboard. The presence of joint compound has not been found to represent a greater hazard of asbestos exposure than treating the wallboard system as a homogenous material. It is important to implement prompt clean-up procedures and avoid pulverizing debris generated during the work. Because of the circumstances presented by the use of asbestos in such joint compounds,questions arise relating to the application of the requirements of the asbestos standards adopted by the Department of Labor and Industries(L&I)under the authority of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act(WISHA), RCW 49.17 and the Washington Asbestos Act,RCW 49.26. II. Scope and Application This WISHA Regional Directive(WRD)provides guidance to WISHA enforcement and consultation staff whenever they must address issues concerning employee exposure to hazards involving asbestos-containing joint compound in wallboard systems. This document does not address materials sprayed or applied with a trowel across the full surface of the wall(such surfacing materials are covered under the Class I work provisions of the asbestos standard, found in WAC 296-62-07712). This WRD supersedes all previous guidance on this subject,both formal and informal. —policy continues on reverse of page—