Based in Amherst, New York, Keith Walter Pillich is an environment, health, and safety (EHS) specialist at Vlado Engineering. Keith W. Pillich earned a bachelor’s degree in toxicology and safety management from the University of Buffalo. Later, Keith W. Pillich became a licensed industrial hygiene representative, which qualified him to perform asbestos inspections.
Asbestos is a toxic mineral fiber that can cause severe lung diseases such as cancer. Anyone is at risk of inhaling asbestos, but cleanup workers are among the most vulnerable. Many older construction materials contain asbestos, including cement, ceiling coatings, and floor tiles. During disaster cleanup, workers can be exposed to asbestos in damaged structures.
To protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) designed construction standards for asbestos. The OSHA Asbestos Standard tells employers how to keep their employees from inhaling asbestos. For example, the standard sets a specific permissible exposure limit that employers must follow by making employees use respiratory gear and creating regulated areas away from hazardous materials.
