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NON-ASBESTOS FIBERS WARNING
The following procedures for servicing brakes are recommended to reduce
exposure to non-asbestos fiber dust, a potential cancer and lung disease
hazard. Material Safety Data Sheets are available from Meritor.
Hazard Summary
Most recently manufactured brake linings do not contain asbestos fibers. These brake
linings may contain one or more of a variety of ingredients, including glass fibers, mineral
wool, aramid fibers, ceramic fibers and silica that can present health risks if inhaled.
Scientists disagree on the extent of the risks from exposure to these substances.
Nonetheless, exposure to silica dust can cause silicosis, a non-cancerous lung disease.
Silicosis gradually reduces lung capacity and efficiency and can result in serious
breathing difficulty. Some medical experts believe other types of non-asbestos fibers,
when inhaled, can cause similar diseases of the lung. In addition, silica dust and ceramic
fiber dust are known to the State of California to cause lung cancer. U.S. and
international agencies have also determined that dust from mineral wool, ceramic fibers
and silica are potential causes of cancer.
Accordingly, workers must use caution to avoid creating and breathing dust when
servicing brakes. Specific recommended work practices for reducing exposure to non-
asbestos dust follow. Consult your employer for more details.
Recommended Work Practices
1. Separate Work Areas. Whenever feasible, service brakes in a separate area away
from other operations to reduce risks to unprotected persons.
2. Respiratory Protection
. OSHA has set a maximum allowable level of exposure for silica
of 0.1 mg/m
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as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Some manufacturers of non-asbestos
brake linings recommend that exposures to other ingredients found in non-asbestos
brake linings be kept below 1.0 f/cc as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Scientists
disagree, however, to what extent adherence to these maximum allowable exposure
levels will eliminate the risk of disease that can result from inhaling non-asbestos dust.
Therefore, wear respiratory protection at all times during brake servicing, beginning with
the removal of the wheels. Wear a respirator equipped with a high-efficiency (HEPA)
filter approved by NIOSH or MSHA, if the exposures levels may exceed OSHA or
manufacturer’s recommended maximum levels. Even when exposures are expected to
be within the maximum allowable levels, wearing such a respirator at all times during
brake servicing will help minimize exposure.
3. Procedures for Servicing Brakes.
a) Enclose the brake assembly within a negative pressure enclosure. The enclosure
should be equipped with a HEPA vacuum and worker arm sleeves. With the
enclosure in place, use the HEPA vacuum to loosen and vacuum residue from the
brake parts.
b) As an alternative procedure, use a catch basin with water and a biodegradable, non-
phosphate, water-based detergent to wash the brake drum or rotor and other brake
parts. The solution should be applied with low pressure to prevent dust from becoming
airborne. Allow the solution to flow between the brake drum and the brake support or
the brake rotor and caliper. The wheel hub and brake assembly components should be
thoroughly wetted to suppress dust before the brake shoes or brake pads are
removed. Wipe the brake parts clean with a cloth.
c) If an enclosed vacuum system or brake washing equipment is not available, carefully
clean the brake parts in the open air. Wet the parts with a solution applied with a
pump-spray bottle that creates a fine mist. Use a solution containing water, and, if
available, a biodegradable, non-phosphate, water-based detergent. The wheel hub
and brake assembly components should be thoroughly wetted to suppress dust before
the brake shoes or brake pads are removed. Wipe the brake parts clean with a cloth.
d) Wear a respirator equipped with a HEPA filter approved by NIOSH of MSHA when
grinding or machining brake linings. In addition, do such work in an area with a local
exhaust ventilation system equipped with a HEPA filter.
e) NEVER use compressed air by itself, dry brushing, or a vacuum not equipped with a
HEPA filter when cleaning brake parts or assemblies. NEVER use carcinogenic
solvents, flammable solvents, or solvents that can damage brake components as
wetting agents.
4. Cleaning Work Areas.
Clean work areas with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter
or by wet wiping. NEVER use compressed air or dry sweeping to clean work areas.
When you empty vacuum cleaners and handle used rags, wear a respirator equipped
with a HEPA filter approved by NIOSH or MSHA, if the exposure levels may exceed
OSHA or manufacturers’ recommended maximum levels. When you replace a HEPA
filter, wet the filter with a fine mist of water and dispose of the used filter with care.
5. Worker Clean-Up.
After servicing brakes, wash your hands before you eat, drink or
smoke. Shower after work. Do not wear work clothes home. Use a vacuum equipped
with a HEPA filter to vacuum work clothes after they are worn. Launder them separately.
Do not shake or use compressed air to remove dust from work clothes.
6. Waste Disposal.
Dispose of discarded linings, used rags, cloths and HEPA filters with
care, such as in sealed plastic bags. Consult applicable EPA, state and local regulations
on waste disposal.
Regulatory Guidance
References to OSHA, NIOSH, MSHA, and EPA, which are regulatory agencies in the
United States, are made to provide further guidance to employers and workers employed
within the United States. Employers and workers employed outside of the United States
should consult the regulations that apply to them for further guidance.
ASBESTOS FIBER WARNING
The following procedures for servicing brakes are recommended to reduce
exposure to asbestos fiber dust, a cancer and lung disease hazard. Material
Safety Data Sheets are available from Meritor.
Hazard Summary
Because some brake linings contain asbestos, workers who service brakes must
understand the potential hazards of asbestos and precautions for reducing risks. Exposure
to airborne asbestos dust can cause serious and possibly fatal diseases, including
asbestosis (a chronic lung disease) and cancer, principally lung cancer and mesothelioma
(a cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities). Some studies show that the risk
of lung cancer among persons who smoke and who are exposed to asbestos is much
greater than the risk for non-smokers. Symptoms of these diseases may not become
apparent for 15, 20 or more years after the first exposure to asbestos.
Accordingly, workers must use caution to avoid creating and breathing dust when
servicing brakes. Specific recommended work practices for reducing exposure to
asbestos dust follow. Consult your employer for more details.
Recommended Work Practices
1. Separate Work Areas. Whenever feasible, service brakes in a separate area away
from other operations to reduce risks to unprotected persons. OSHAhas set a maximum
allowable level of exposure for asbestos of 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour time-weighted average
and 1.0 f/cc averaged over a 30-minute period. Scientists disagree, however, to what
extent adherence to the maximum allowable exposure levels will eliminate the risk of
disease that can result from inhaling asbestos dust. OSHA requires that the following sign
be posted at the entrance to areas where exposures exceed either of the maximum
allowable levels:
DANGER: ASBESTOS
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
RESPIRATORS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
ARE REQUIRED IN THIS AREA
2. Respiratory Protection. Wear a respirator equipped with a high-efficiency (HEPA) filter
approved by NIOSH or MSHA for use with asbestos at all times when servicing brakes,
beginning with the removal of the wheels.
3. Procedures for Servicing Brakes.
a) Enclose the brake assembly within a negative pressure enclosure. The enclosure
should be equipped with a HEPA vacuum and worker arm sleeves. With the enclosure
in place, use the HEPA vacuum to loosen and vacuum residue from the brake parts.
b) As an alternative procedure, use a catch basin with water and a biodegradable, non-
phosphate, water-based detergent to wash the brake drum or rotor and other brake
parts. The solution should be applied with low pressure to prevent dust from becoming
airborne. Allow the solution to flow between the brake drum and the brake support or
the brake rotor and caliper. The wheel hub and brake assembly components should be
thoroughly wetted to suppress dust before the brake shoes or brake pads are removed.
Wipe the brake parts clean with a cloth.
c) If an enclosed vacuum system or brake washing equipment is not available, employers
may adopt their own written procedures for servicing brakes, provided that the
exposure levels associated with the employer’s procedures do not exceed the levels
associated with the enclosed vacuum system or brake washing equipment. Consult
OSHA regulations for more details.
d) Wear a respirator equipped with a HEPA filter approved
by NIOSH or MSHA for use with asbestos when grinding or machining brake linings. In
addition, do such work in an area with a local exhaust ventilation system equipped
with a HEPA filter.
e) NEVER use compressed air by itself, dry brushing, or a vacuum not equipped with a
HEPA filter when cleaning brake parts or assemblies. NEVER use carcinogenic
solvents, flammable solvents, or solvents that can damage brake components as
wetting agents.
4. Cleaning Work Areas.
Clean work areas with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter or
by wet wiping. NEVER use compressed air or dry sweeping to clean work areas. When you
empty vacuum cleaners and handle used rags, wear a respirator equipped with a HEPA
filter approved by NIOSH or MSHA for use with asbestos. When you replace a HEPA filter,
wet the filter with a fine mist of water and dispose of the used filter with care.
5. Worker Clean-Up.
After servicing brakes, wash your hands before you eat, drink or
smoke. Shower after work. Do not wear work clothes home. Use a vacuum equipped with
a HEPA filter to vacuum work clothes after they are worn. Launder them separately. Do not
shake or use compressed air to remove dust from work clothes.
6. Waste Disposal.
Dispose of discarded linings, used rags, cloths and HEPA filters with
care, such as in sealed plastic bags. Consult applicable EPA, state and local regulations on
waste disposal.
Regulatory Guidance
References to OSHA, NIOSH, MSHA, and EPA, which are regulatory agencies in the United
States, are made to provide further guidance to employers and workers employed within
the United States. Employers and workers employed outside of the United States should
consult the regulations that apply to them for further guidance.
