AKRON-Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations to protect technicians from asbestos hazards while inspecting and servicing automotive brakes took effect Oct. 1. While details such as how the regulation will be enforced and the penalties for non-compliance are yet to be announced, the new regulation stipulates that ``no visible dust'' may be present during drum removal or subsequent brake inspection and service.
Officials of Clayton & Associates Inc. told the press at the recent National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association convention that technicians now must wet down the outer drum-including the seam between the drum and the backing plate-using either an aerosol spray cleaner or a portable brake washing unit.
Also, before striking or forcibly removing a frozen brake drum, techs must thoroughly wet the drum's interior and contents in the same manner.