Brakes & Wheels
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Chapter 7– Brakes & Wheels
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL WARNING
Most brake linings no longer contain asbestos bers. However, if working with any component which
does contain asbestos, follow OSHA safety requirements. The recommended work practices for servic-
ing brakes with asbestos or non-asbestos bers are virtually the same.
Non-Asbestos Fibers Warning
The bers in the brake linings may contain glass bers, mineral wool,
aramid bers, ceramic bers, 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 efciency and can result in serious breathing difculty. Some medical experts believe other types
of non-asbestos bers, when inhaled, can cause similar diseases of the lung. In addition, silica dust and
ceramic ber dust are known to the State of California to cause lung cancer. U.S. and international agen-
cies have also determined that dust from mineral wool, ceramic bers and silica are potential causes of
cancer.
Accordingly, Meritor and Gillig recommend that workers use caution to avoid creating and breathing
dust when servicing brakes. Specic recommended work practices for reducing exposure to non-asbes-
tos dust follow. Consult your employer for more details.
Recommended Work Practices
• Whenever possible, work on brakes in a separate area away from other operations.
• Wear a respirator at all times during brake servicing,
beginning with the removal of the wheels.
Wear a respirator equipped with a high-efciency (HEPA) lter approved by NIOSH or MSHA.
• 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-phos-
phate, water-based detergent to wash the brake drum or rotor and other brake parts. The solu-
tion should be applied with low pressure to prevent dust from becoming airborne. Allow the
solution to ow 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.
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