SOP 208.05: Asbestos Investigations

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area: `
`Facilities Operations`|`Reference Number: `
`IIA19-0001`
`(208.05)`|`Revises`
`Previous`
`Effective Date:`
`3/15/2006`|
|`Subject:`
`Asbestos Investigations`|||
|`Authority:`
`Bryson/Jacobs`|`Effective Date:`
`04/22/15`|`Page``1`` of`
`3 `|

I. POLICY:

   This procedure establishes some facility investigative
   guidelines when an inmate alleges exposure to asbestos.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   This procedure is applicable to all State, Private and County
   Prisons, Boot Camps, Diversion Centers, Probation Detention
   and Transitional Centers.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   None

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   None

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   None

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. Exposure to Asbestos Determination – When an inmate
      claims that he/she as been exposed to asbestos the
      following investigation shall be completed and
      documented.

      1. Facility Responsibility

         a. Has the trained facility maintenance staff
            member determined if the inmate was actually

|Functional Area:
Facilities Operations|Prev. Eff. Date:
3/15/2006|Page 2 of
3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`Facilities Operations`|`Effective Date:`
`04/22/15`|`Reference Number:`
`IIA19-0001`
`(208.05)`|

   exposed? Has the area tested positive for
   asbestos contamination? Has it been determined
   that the asbestos in question is of the type
   generally recognized to be capable of causing
   pulmonary disease?

b. What was the time length of the alleged
   exposure?

c. How the inmate was was allegedly exposed? Was
   the alleged exposure the result of abatement or
   was it just general contact?

d. Exactly where (building location) was the
   inmate allegedly exposed?

e. What was the extent of the alleged exposure?

f. Has the alleged exposure area been abated?

g. If the area was abated, did a licensed
   professional perform abatement?

h. What corrective action has been taken to ensure
   that exposure to inmates and staff does not
   continue?

i. Has the inmate been seen by medical since
   he/she was allegedly exposed?

j. What was the time frame between alleged
   exposure and medical visit?

k. If inmate requested medical services, what was
   the nature of his/her complaints?

l. What were the resolutions to his/her
   complaints?

m. Any side effects related to his/her alleged
   exposure?

n. Has the inmate ever worked in the Construction,
   Demolition, or Automotive Industry?

|Functional Area:
Facilities Operations|Prev. Eff. Date:
3/15/2006|Page 3 of
3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`
`Facilities Operations`|`Effective Date:`
`04/22/15`|`Reference Number:`
`IIA19-0001`
`(208.05)`|

2. Medical Section Responsibility

   a. After learning of the alleged asbestos
      exposure, as a minimum, an MD, PA, or NP shall
      take a complete pulmonary and alleged exposure
      history, including all alleged prior exposures,
      history of asthma, smoking, etc.

   b. The clinician shall perform a complete physical
      with emphasis in the pulmonary system. Any
      visible or demonstrable medical findings felt
      to be a consequence of the alleged asbestos
      exposure shall be thoroughly documented in the
      health record.

   c. A baseline chest X-ray shall be taken. If any
      pulmonary involvement/strong history is found,
      the inmate shall be given a full pulmonary
      function test, followed by a Pulmonary
      Consultation with a Specialist.

   d. If chronic pulmonary disease is found, the
      inmate/patient should be enrolled in the
      Pulmonary Chronic Illness Clinic for routine
      follow-up.