SOP_NUMBER: 208.05
TITLE: Asbestos Investigations
REFERENCE_CODE: IIA19-0001
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 208 Policy-Facilities Care/Medical Management
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2015-04-22
WORD_COUNT: 492
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105696
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/208.05/
SUMMARY:
This policy establishes investigative guidelines for facility staff and medical personnel when an inmate alleges exposure to asbestos. Facility maintenance staff must investigate whether actual exposure occurred, identify the location and duration of exposure, and determine if asbestos abatement was needed. Medical staff must conduct a thorough pulmonary history, physical examination, chest X-ray, and pulmonary function testing if indicated, with specialist consultation and enrollment in chronic illness clinics as appropriate.
KEY_TOPICS: asbestos exposure, asbestos investigation, facility investigation, pulmonary health, inmate health, medical evaluation, chest X-ray, asbestos abatement, pulmonary function test, occupational health, asbestos contamination
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FULL TEXT:
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|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.
```