Pro tip: I advise not taking any answers you receive as your only source of authority. A small photo is not sufficient for identification, and the dangers of cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis should encourage you to be absolutely sure that you have the correct product. However, I am giving you a well-researched answer and hope it will aid in your identification. Also, I am actually answering your question as if my own health were involved, rather than posting random information.

IDENTIFYING ROCK WOOL
Rock wool is a specific type of mineral wool. It is formed in a furnace from slag, the by-products of the ore smelting process. The appearance of this type of insulation is consistent with that of your photo, like a mass of very fine fibers, and is often very similar to wool in appearance and texture. While it is available in a variety of colors, it is primarily white, as yours seems to be. Research indicates that this is a safe material, and its use is widespread. It is not classified as carcinogenic, but it can still irritate skin in a non-chemical way.

IDENTIFYING ASBESTOS
Some asbestos applications have a thin, needle-like appearance, but chrysotile (which was pervasively used in the US as insulation) is soft and white and some misinformed people still think it is "safe," so your concern has merit.

IDENTIFYING YOUR SUBSTANCE

1. Look at this picture of chrysotile: http://www.kentsurveys.com/f2d0_3.JPG
This is the softest form, and is the one that is closest to yours, yet it doesn't appears slightly more fibrous and course than your soft and cottony material (of course, it is a close up, compared to your photo). Closely compare yours with this photo, and find additional photos of chrystotile on Google Image Search.

2. If you have some sort of mask, you could attempt to detect any odors; rock wool should not have an odor, as it generally is not treated with chemicals. If yours doesn't smell, along with the other factors we have, it is almost certainly mineral wool and specifically "rock wool." Yeah, extreme caution advised.

So here is my unprofessional opinion: the material in your photo is not asbestos and it doesn't contain asbestos. Here is my rational:

* Comparing the photos available online, your substance does not resemble even the softest asbestos material as much as it does rock wool.

* I don't know what type of workshop you're discussing, but I am assuming you are talking about a commercial company of some type. I think any rational business owner would do everything in his or her power to stay as far away from the word asbestos as possible. Unless this stuff was "discovered" in a basement or an old shack, the likelihood that it has just been sitting there in perfect shape for 20+ years seems slim, as it is a danger not only physically, but could cause financial harm to a business owner.

* The person that gave it to you identified it at rock wool, which is consistent with its appearance. Unless you think this person is a complete idiot or trying to kill you, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt, considering they used a specific term that perfectly identifies what you have, and it is cheap and widely available, so I can see someone giving some away freely.

If you have additional questions and want to get someone to assist, you may wish to contact Amerrock, a supplier of rock wool, to help identify this. http://www.amerrock.com/ or, particularly, Janese Creech, National Marketing Rep (214.263.4195). I have seen her posts online, and she is well acquainted with the product. I am sure she would send you a small, free sample of white rock wool as this is common practice, and this would definitely clear everything up with no cost to you.

Additionally, you should go back to the person you got it from and see if they have any packaging, or find out how the item was obtained.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysotile
http://www.kentsurveys.com/
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/rockwool_insulation-Safety_Environmental_and_Haz...
http://www.inspect-ny.com/interiors/Rock_Wool_Insulation.htm
http://www.naima.org/pages/resources/faq/faq_mineral.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_wool
http://www.amerrock.com/contactus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos

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