216-RICR-50-15-1
216-RICR-50-15-1. Asbestos Control (version Amendment, 01/01/2019 to 01/01/2019)
1.1 AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE
These regulations are
promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred under R.I. Gen. Laws
§ 23-24.5-5(c) and are established for the purpose of adopting
minimum standards for asbestos control, and provide for the licensing
of Asbestos Contractors, Asbestos Supervisors, and Asbestos Workers,
the submission of asbestos abatement plans, certification of training
courses, Competent Persons, Analytical Services, and Consultants, and
other requirements related to the safe abatement of asbestos hazards.
1.2 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
A. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
B. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 40 C.F.R. § 763 Subpart A, Appendix A and
Subpart E, Appendix C (2017) by reference, not including any further
editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the
provisions therein are not inconsistent with this Part.
C. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 29 C.F.R. § 1910.134 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
D. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate USDOT 49 C.F.R. § 172, Subpart E (2017) by
reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof
and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not
inconsistent with this Part.
E. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate Appendix D to 40 C.F.R. § 763, Subpart E
(2017) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments
thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not
inconsistent with this Part.
F. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate USDOT 49 C.F.R. § 173.1300 (2017) by
reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof
and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not
inconsistent with this Part.
G. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 40 C.F.R. § 763.95 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
H. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 40 C.F.R. § 763.90 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
I. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 40 C.F.R. § 763.94 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
J. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 40 C.F.R. § 763.92 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
K. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 40 C.F.R. § 763.85 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
L. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 40 C.F.R. § 763.86 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
M. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate 40 C.F.R. § 763.88 (2017) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with this
Part.
N. These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate EPA's NESHAP requirements, 40 C.F.R. § 61,
Subpart M (2017) by reference, not including any further editions or
amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein
are not inconsistent with this Part.
1.3 DEFINITIONS
A. Whenever used in these
rules and regulations, the following terms shall be construed as
follows:
1. "Act" means R.I.
Gen. Laws Chapter 23-24.5, entitled Asbestos Abatement.
2. "Adequately wet"
means sufficiently mixed or penetrated with liquid to prevent the
release of particulates. If visible emissions are observed coming
from ACM, then that material has not been adequately wetted. However,
the absence of visible emissions is not sufficient evidence of being
adequately wet.
3. "Agent" means any
individual performing work on an asbestos abatement project for the
Asbestos Contractor, that is not an employee of the Contractor (e.g.
industrial hygiene subcontractor).
4. "Amended water"
means water to which a surfactant has been added.
5. "Asbestiform
materials" means those naturally occurring fibers of similar
shape, size, strength, surface and characteristics of asbestos fibers
as are otherwise described in the publication entitled "Non
Occupational Health Risks of Asbestiform Fibers" published by
the Committee on Non Occupational Health Risks of Asbestiform Fibers,
Board on Toxicology and Health Hazards of the Commission on Life
Sciences of the National Research Council; U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and National Academy of Sciences, National Academy
Press, Washington, DC, 1984, E.P.A. 68-01-4655.
6. "Asbestos" means
a unique group of naturally occurring minerals that separate into
fibers of high tensile strength, resistant to heat, wear and
chemicals, described as the following types: chrysotile, amosite,
crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite, and every
product containing any of these materials that have been chemically
treated and/or altered which, after manufacture, are used for such
products and end uses as insulation, textiles, paper, cement sheets,
floor tile, wall covering, decorations, coating, sealants, cement
pipe and reinforced plastics and other compounds.
7. "Asbestos abatement"
means any activity involving the removal, encapsulation, enclosure,
renovation, repair, demolition or other disturbance of friable
asbestos containing materials. Asbestos Abatement shall be synonymous
with Asbestos Management for the purposes of this Part.
8. "Asbestos consultant"
means an Asbestos Inspector, Asbestos Management Planner, or Asbestos
Project Designer licensed by the Department.
9. "Asbestos abatement
project" means all activities, including site preparation and
clean-up, associated with asbestos abatement, from the time of
initial arrival of the contractor on-site through obtaining an
acceptable final clearance air sample in the abatement area(s) and/or
removal of all abated ACM from the project site, whichever is later.
10. "Asbestos supervisor"
means an employee of a licensed Asbestos Contractors who supervises
asbestos abatement projects.
11. "Asbestos worker"
means any employee of a licensed Asbestos Contractor who engages in
Asbestos Abatement.
12. "Asbestos containing
material” or “ACM" means any material or product which
contains more than one percent (1%) asbestos, as determined using the
method specified in Appendix A, Subpart F, 40 C.F.R. Part 763,
Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). If the asbestos content
of friable material is less than 10 percent as determined by a method
other than point counting by PLM, the asbestos content must be
verified by point counting using PLM.
13. "Asbestos containing
waste materials" means RACM waste and materials contaminated
with asbestos including disposable equipment and clothing.
14. "Asbestos contractor"
means any person or entity engaged in asbestos abatement as a
business and whose employees perform the asbestos abatement work.
(see also: Asbestos Abatement)
15. "Asbestos hazard
emergency response act regulations” or “AHERA regulations"
refers to specific amendments to Title II of the Toxic Substances
Control Act enacted by 15 U.S.C. §§ 2641-2654 and the regulations
of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency contained in 40 C.F.R. §§
763.80 through 763.99 (Subpart E).
16. "Asbestos inspector"
means an individual who:
a. conducts inspections and
reinspections to identify locations of friable and nonfriable ACM;
b. collects bulk samples of
homogeneous areas of friable surfacing materials;
c. conducts surveillance of
thermal systems insulation; and/or
d. discharges other such
related activities.
17. "Asbestos management
planner" means an individual who, for any school or school
building subject to the AHERA regulations:
a. develops an asbestos
abatement/management plan for abatement action(s) no larger than
small-scale short-duration maintenance activities, as defined by 40
C.F.R. § 763 Subpart E, Appendix C incorporated by reference at §
1.2(B) of this Part, that disturb friable ACM and/or for minor fiber
release episode(s);
b. maintains records and
reports of asbestos activities relating to the implementation of
abatement/management plans;
c. is responsible for the
implementation and administration of the abatement/management plan;
and/or
d. discharges other such
related activities.
18. "Asbestos project
designer" means an individual who:
a. designs all types of
abatement actions including other than small-scale, short-duration
maintenance activities, as defined by 40 C.F.R. § 763 Subpart E,
Appendix C, and major fiber release episodes; and/or
b. discharges other such
related activities.
19. "Authorized asbestos
disposal facility" means a location approved for handling
asbestos waste by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental
Management or by an equivalent regulatory agency if the material is
disposed of outside the state of Rhode Island.
20. "Auxiliary work"
means work activity which does not directly involve the performance
of an asbestos abatement project but may, in the process of assisting
in the performance of that project, disturb or cause exposure to
asbestos or asbestos-containing materials.
21. "Category I
nonfriable asbestos containing material" means any ACM in the
form of packings, gaskets, resilient floor covering, and asphalt
roofing products.
22. "Category II
nonfriable asbestos containing material" means any ACM,
excluding Category I nonfriable ACM, that, when dry, cannot be
crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
23. "Clean room"
means an uncontaminated area or room which is a part of the worker
decontamination enclosure system with provisions for storage of
worker's street clothes and clean protective equipment.
24. "Competent person"
means a designated public employee, designated public maintenance
person, maintenance worker in the private sector, teacher and/or
parent representative certified under the provision of § 1.19 of
this Part.
25. "Cutting" means
penetrating with a sharp-edged instrument. This term also includes
sawing, but does not include shearing, slicing, or punching.
26. "Demolition"
means the wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting structural
member of a facility together with any related handling operations or
the intentional burning of any facility (see also: Structural
Member).
27. "Department"
means the Rhode Island Department of Health.
28. "Emergency asbestos
abatement project" means any Asbestos Abatement Project which
was not planned but results from a sudden, unexpected event. This
includes operations required by non-routine failures of equipment.
29. "Emergency renovation
operation" means a renovation operation that was not planned
but:
a. results from a sudden,
unexpected event that, if not immediately attended to, presents a
safety or public health hazard;
b. is necessary to protect
equipment from damage; or
c. is necessary to avoid
imposing an unreasonable financial burden.
d. This term also includes
operations necessitated by nonroutine failures of equipment.
30. "Encapsulation"
means the application of an encapsulant to asbestos containing
materials to control the release of asbestos fibers into the air. The
encapsulant creates a membrane over the surface (bridging
encapsulant) or penetrates the material and binds its components
together (penetrating encapsulant). [c.f. also: Removal Encapsulant]
31. "EPA" means the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
32. "Equipment room"
means a contaminated area or room which is part of the worker
decontamination enclosure system with provisions for storage of
contaminated clothing and equipment.
33. "Facility" means
any institutional, commercial, public or industrial structure,
installation or building. For compliance with § 1.24 of this Part,
this definition also includes any ship and any structure,
installation, or building containing condominiums or individual units
operated as a residential cooperative, but excluding residential
buildings having four or fewer dwelling units. For the purposes of
this definition, any building, structure, or installation that
contains a loft used as a dwelling is not considered a residential
structure, installation, or building. Any structure, installation, or
building that was previously subject to either the NESHAP regulations
40 C.F.R. § 61, Subpart M incorporated by reference at § 1.2(N) of
this Part, or this Part is not excluded, regardless of its current
use or function. This term does not include a private residence as
defined in the Act.
34. "Facility component"
means any part of a facility including equipment.
35. "Friable asbestos
material" means any ACM that, when dry, can be crumbled,
pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
36. "Glove bag"
means a sealed compartment with attached inner gloves used for the
handling of asbestos containing materials. Properly installed and
used, glove bags provide a small work area enclosure typically used
for small-scale asbestos stripping operations.
37. "Grinding" means
reducing to powder or small fragments. This term also includes
mechanical chipping or drilling.
38. "HVAC" means
heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
39. "HEPA filtration"
means high efficiency particulate air filtration found in respirators
and vacuum systems capable of filtering 0.3-micron particles with
99.97% efficiency, for use in asbestos contaminated environments.
40. "High priority areas"
means those areas of a building which are used or occupied by a high
percentage of the building population on a regular basis. Such areas
include classrooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums, offices, places of
assembly, work stations, corridors, lobbies, restrooms, and others
that may be determined by the Director of Health.
41. "High priority
building" means a child inhabited or child frequented structure
either privately or publicly owned. This category shall include, but
not be limited to, public and parochial schools (Grades Pre-K to 12),
day care centers, nurseries, acute or chronic children's hospitals
(or wardrooms thereof) as otherwise defined by the National Building
Code Use Groups E, B and I. Private residences used for the above
purposes and housing or occupied by ten (10) children or less are
excluded from this group.
42. "Homogeneous
material" means asbestos containing material having a similar
distribution of mineralogical types of asbestos and approximately the
same percentages of each type throughout.
43. "Individual"
means any human being.
44. "Industrial hygiene
consultant" means an individual who provides industrial hygiene
services in one or more of the following categories: Collection of
Air Samples; Compliance Monitoring of Asbestos Abatement/ Management
Plans; and/or Respiratory Protection Programs.
45. "In poor condition"
means the binding of the material is losing its integrity as
indicated by peeling, cracking, or crumbling of the material.
46. "Installation"
means any building or structure or any groups of buildings or
structures at a single demolition or renovation site that are under
the control of the same owner or operator (or owner or operator under
common control).
47. "Intermediate
priority building" means public buildings, other than those in
the high and low priority groups, which are designated within the
National Building Code Use Groups as follows: Places of public
assembly (Group A); structures occupied by adult inmates and/or
patients, and state employees (Group I); colleges, hospitals, and
auditoriums (Group I); and occupied places of employment (Group F).
Also included are private buildings which are: private colleges,
hospitals, banks, and other business, industrial, educational and
mercantile institutions (Groups M, H, I, R1 and R2) including, but
not limited to, hotels, motels, multi-family dwellings and places of
employment with more than ten (10) employees.
48. "Leak-tight"
means solids or liquids cannot escape or spill out. This term also
means dust-tight.
49. "License" means
the permit issued by the Department to allow an Asbestos Contractor
to engage in asbestos abatement projects.
50. "Low priority areas"
means those areas of a building which are used or occupied by a small
fraction of the building population or very infrequently used. Such
areas include general access storage rooms and manned boiler rooms
unless these areas supply ventilation air to other parts of the
building, in which case they would be classed according to the areas
served by the ventilation air. These are areas where exposure to
asbestos would be limited to a small number of people and where a
reasonable course of action would be educating occupants or users of
these areas in proper prevention and safety techniques.
51. "Low priority
building" means public or private buildings which are not in the
other groups and which are infrequently used or closed, or abandoned
or scheduled for same in the immediate future and those structures
which are private residences (Groups S, R3 and 4).
52. "Major fiber release
episode" means the falling or dislodging of greater than three
(3) square or linear feet of friable ACM.
53. "Minor fiber release
episode" means the falling or dislodging of three (3) square or
linear feet or less of friable ACM.
54. "NESHAP" means
the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.
55. "NIOSH" means
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
56. "Nonfriable asbestos
containing material" means any ACM that, when dry, cannot be
crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
57. "Nonscheduled
renovation operation" means a renovation operation necessitated
by the routine failure of equipment, which is expected to occur
within a given period based on past operating experience, but for
which an exact date cannot be predicted.
58. "Outside air"
means the air outside buildings and structures including, but not
limited to, the air under a bridge or in an open-air ferry dock.
59. "Owner" means
the person or entity having legal title to property and/or buildings.
For purposes of publicly owned property only, the owner shall be
defined to be the chief executive officer of the state or municipal
agency which owns, leases or controls the use of the property.
60. "Owner or operator of
a demolition or renovation activity" means any person who owns,
leases, operates, controls, or supervises the facility being
demolished or renovated or any person who owns, leases, operates,
controls, or supervises the demolition or renovation operation, or
both.
61. "OSHA" means the
Occupational Health and Safety Administration of the U.S. Department
of Labor.
62. "Particulate
asbestos material" means finely divided particles of asbestos or
material containing asbestos.
63. "Person" means
any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust,
estate, public or private institution, group, agency, political
subdivision of this State, and other State or political subdivision
or agency thereof, and the legal successor, representative, agent or
agency of the foregoing.
64. "Planned asbestos
abatement project" means an asbestos abatement project or many
such projects in which the amount of asbestos containing material to
be removed, stripped or otherwise disturbed within a given period can
be predicted. Individual, non-scheduled abatements are included if
many such operations can be predicted to occur during a given period
based on operating experiences.
65. "Planned renovation
operations" means a renovation operation, or many such
operations, in which some RACM will be removed or stripped within a
given period and that can be predicted. Individual nonscheduled
operations are included if many such operations can be predicted to
occur during a given period based on operating experience.
66. "Private residence"
means any structure which is designated within National Building Code
Use Groups R3 or R4.
67. "Regulated asbestos
containing material” or “RACM" means:
a. Friable asbestos material;
b. Category I nonfriable ACM
that has become friable;
c. Category I nonfriable ACM
that will be or has been subjected to sanding, grinding, cutting, or
abrading; or
d. Category II nonfriable ACM
that has a high probability of becoming or has become crumbled,
pulverized, or reduced to powder by the forces expected to act on the
material during the demolition or renovation operations regulated by
this Part.
68. "Removal" means
the taking out of RACM or facility components that contain, or are
covered with, RACM from any facility.
69. "Removal encapsulant"
means a penetrating encapsulant specifically designed for use in
removal of asbestos containing material rather than for permanent
encapsulation.
70. "Renovation"
means altering a facility or one or more facility components in any
way, including the stripping or removal of RACM from a facility
component. Operations in which load-supporting structural members are
wrecked or taken out are demolitions.
71. "Repair" means
the restoration of asbestos containing insulation that has been
damaged, usually located on pipes, boilers, tanks, turbines, ducts or
other facility components. Repair usually consists of the application
of duct tape, rewettable glass cloth, canvas, cement or other
suitable material to seal exposed areas where asbestos fibers may be
released. Repair of previously encapsulated asbestos containing
materials may involve filling damaged areas with non-asbestos
substitutes and re-encapsulating. Repair of enclosures around
asbestos containing materials is also included in this category of
abatement.
72. "Restricted use
areas" means those areas of a building which have infrequent
occupancy such as unmanned boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, electrical
rooms and secured storage rooms unless those areas supply ventilation
air to the other parts of the building, in which case they would be
classed according to the areas served by the ventilation air.
73. "Resilient floor
covering" means Asbestos containing floor tile, including
asphalt and vinyl floor tile, and sheet vinyl floor covering
containing more than one (1%) percent asbestos as determined using
the methods specified in Appendix A, Subpart F, 40 C.F.R. Part 763,
Section 1, Polarized Light Microscopy or any other method approved by
the EPA for this type of analysis.
74. "Shower room"
means a room between the clean room and the equipment room in the
worker decontamination enclosure with hot and cold or warm running
water controllable at the tap and suitably arranged for complete
showering during decontamination.
75. "Spot repair"
means any removal, repair, encapsulation, enclosure or other
disturbance which encompasses:
a. up to ten (10) linear feet
of asbestos from piping and/or
b. up to twenty-five (25)
square feet of asbestos from any surfaces other than pipes. Large
project divided into smaller segments are not Spot Repairs.
76. "Strip" means to
take off RACM from any part of a facility or facility components.
77. "Structural component
" means any pipe, duct, boiler, tank, reactor, turbine or
furnace at or in a facility or any structural member of a facility.
(see also: Structural Member)
78. "Structural member "
means any load-supporting member of a facility, such as beams and
load-supporting walls or any non-load-supporting member, such as
ceilings and non-load-supporting walls.
79. "Structure"
means a whole facility, building or a major portion thereof, such as
a building wing.
80. "Visible emissions"
means any emissions, which are visually detectable without the aid of
instruments, coming from RACM or Asbestos Containing Waste Material.
81. "Waste generator"
means any owner or operator of a facility covered by this Part whose
act or process produces Asbestos Containing Waste Material.
82. "Waste shipment
record" means the shipping document, required to be originated
and signed by the waste generator, used to track and substantiate the
disposition of Asbestos Containing Waste Material.
83. "Wet cleaning"
means the process of eliminating asbestos contamination from building
surfaces and objects by using cloths, mops or other cleaning utensils
which have been dampened with amended water or diluted removal
encapsulant and afterwards thoroughly decontaminated or disposed of
as asbestos contaminated waste.
84. "Wet methods, wetted
or wetting agents" means the use of amended water or removal
encapsulants to control fiber release from asbestos containing
materials.
85. "Working day"
means Monday through Friday and includes holidays that fall on any of
the days Monday through Friday.
1.4 GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.4.1 Exemptions, Variance
and Practices and Procedures
A. The requirements for
licensing and the submission of an asbestos abatement plan shall not
apply to the performance of spot repairs.
B. The requirements for
licensing and the submission of an asbestos abatement plan shall not
apply to private residences as defined in this Part.
C. Variance Procedures
1. The Department may grant a
variance, either upon its own motion or upon request of the
applicant, from the provisions of any rule or regulation in a
specific case if it finds that a literal enforcement of such
provision will result in unnecessary hardship to the applicant and
that such a variance will not be contrary to the public interest,
public health and/or health and safety of the public.
2. A request for a variance
shall be filed by an applicant in writing, setting forth in detail
the basis upon which the request is made. Upon filing of each request
for a variance with the Department, and within thirty (30) days
thereafter, the Department shall notify the applicant by certified
mail of its approval, or in the case of a denial, a hearing date,
time and place may be scheduled if the applicant appeals the denial
and in accordance with the provisions of § 1.4.1(D) of this Part.
D. Rules Governing Practices
and Procedures
All hearings and reviews
required under the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-24.5 shall
be held in accordance with the provisions of the rules and
regulations governing the Practices and Procedures Before the Rhode
Island Department of Health (Part 10-05-4 of this Title).
1.4.2 Prohibitions
A. No asbestos abatement
project shall be undertaken unless the Asbestos Contractor is
licensed with the Department and an asbestos abatement plan has been
approved by the Department.
B. No on-site work for an
approved asbestos abatement project may be conducted unless at least
one of the Asbestos Contractor's licensed Asbestos Supervisors and an
individual certified by the American Red Cross (or equivalent) in
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and basic first-aid are physically
present on the job site.
C. No owner shall allow any
person to be exposed to friable asbestos materials when such exposure
is a violation of the provisions of the Act, this Part or the indoor
non-occupational air exposure standard defined in § 1.5 of this
Part.
D. No building or demolition
permit involving asbestos abatement shall be issued by any municipal
or state official unless the application for the permit includes a
certified copy of an approved abatement plan and a certified copy of
the license of the Asbestos Contractor who shall undertake the work.
E. Individuals certified only
for spot repairs in accordance with § 1.19 of this Part shall not
undertake any asbestos abatement project which is:
1. Larger than the size limits
for a Spot Repair as defined by this Part; or
2. In buildings other than
those specifically authorized on their Certification.
1.4.3 Closing of Buildings
A. The Director of Health may
prohibit and/or limit access to any building or portion of a building
in which the Director, after notice and hearing, has found to contain
friable asbestos in such condition or amount that there exists a
public health danger. Access to such areas shall be limited to
individuals designated as competent persons for said area or
certified as consultants in accordance with § 1.21 of this Part.
B. No building or portion
thereof to which access has been prohibited and/or limited in
accordance with the provisions of § 1.3.3(A) of this Part above
shall be reopened to unlimited access until the Director of Health
issues a reoccupancy permit.
1.5 INDOOR NON-OCCUPATIONAL AIR
EXPOSURE STANDARD
For the purposes of this
Part, the Indoor Non-Occupational Air Exposure Standard for asbestos
exposure shall be 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) for fibers
greater than five (5) microns in length as measured by OSHA-NIOSH
phase contrast optical microscopic methods and calculated as an eight
(8) hour time weighted average (or 300 nanograms per cubic meter).
1.6 SUBMISSION OF ASBESTOS
ABATEMENT PLANS
1.6.1 General Requirements
A. Any building owner who
intends to conduct an asbestos abatement project, except for spot
repairs as defined in this Part, must submit an asbestos abatement
plan in compliance with the requirements of § 1.17 of this Part and
must not proceed with said project until written approval of said
plan has been received from the Department.
B. Any building owner who is
notified that the results of a Department evaluation conducted in
accordance with § 1.22 of this Part indicate that an asbestos
abatement plan is required shall submit said plan to the Department
within one hundred twenty (120) days of receipt of said notice.
C. In addition to the
requirements of § 1.22 of this Part, any building owner who is
notified that areas have received an Asbestos Hazard Rating greater
than ninety (90) shall, within ten (10) days of receipt of said
notice, submit to the Department the immediate corrective action(s)
to be taken, as well as an Interim Operations and Maintenance Plan in
accordance with §§ 1.17(B) and (C) of this Part.
1.6.2 Emergency Asbestos
Abatement Projects
A. The work procedures
contained in § 1.14 of this Part will apply to all Emergency
Asbestos Abatement Projects unless specific alternative procedures
have been approved by the Department.
B. A building owner shall
contact the Department in advance for permission to conduct an
Emergency Asbestos Abatement Project in the absence of an approved
asbestos abatement plan. Ordinarily permission will be granted only
to prevent personnel injury or property damage. However, if the
emergency is of such a nature that immediate action is deemed
essential, the building owner may proceed to resolve the emergency in
the most expeditious manner possible. Nevertheless, all asbestos
abatement that is beyond the scope of Spot Repairs, as defined by
this Part, must be performed by a licensed asbestos contractor. The
building owner shall notify the Department no later than one (1)
working day following the beginning of an emergency asbestos
abatement project and confirm the name and license number of the
Asbestos Contractor, the amount of asbestos containing material
involved and the expected length of the abatement project. Within ten
(10) working days of completing the project, the building owner shall
submit a written report to the Department which includes as a
minimum: a narrative description of the area(s) abated, including the
type and quantity of asbestos containing material; annotated
blueprint(s), floorplan(s) or other engineering drawing(s) which show
the location(s) of abated and remaining asbestos containing material;
specific work procedures followed during the abatement process;
copies of the results of clearance air testing; copies of disposal
receipts for all asbestos that was removed; and any other information
specifically requested by the Department.
C. Removal of asbestos
containing material from a building ordered demolished by a municipal
building official in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-125.5
may be handled as an Emergency Asbestos Abatement Project under the
following conditions:
1. All asbestos abatement work
is performed by a licensed Asbestos Contractor under the provisions
of an Asbestos Abatement Plan previously approved for the demolition
of unsafe structures in the jurisdiction of the municipal building
official ordering the demolition;
2. The licensed Asbestos
Contractor complies with the provisions of §§ 1.6.2(A) and (B) of
this Part;
3. The Asbestos Contractor
provides the Department with all project specific information
required by the approval letter for the previously approved Asbestos
Abatement Plan; and
4. All asbestos containing
material is removed from the building prior to its demolition.
1.7 LICENSING OF ASBESTOS
CONTRACTORS, ASBESTOS SUPERVISORS, AND ASBESTOS WORKERS
1.7.1 General Licensing
Requirement
No person shall engage in any
asbestos abatement project at a facility unless he or she is licensed
to do so by the Department under the provisions of this § 1.7 of
this Part.
1.7.2 Applicability
A. The licensing requirements
of § 1.7 of this Part apply to all Asbestos Contractors, as defined
in this Part, and each of their Asbestos Supervisors and Asbestos
Workers.
B. Persons who perform only
spot repairs are exempted from the licensing requirement contained in
§ 1.7.2(A) of this Part. However, persons performing spot repairs
must be certified in accordance with § 1.19 of this Part.
1.7.3 License Application
A. To apply for a license, an
Asbestos Contractor, Asbestos Supervisor, or Asbestos Worker shall
submit a completed application to the Department on forms provided by
the Department. The application shall include all information
required by the Act, as well as by the form and accompanying
instructions.
B. The Department may at any
time after the filing of the original application require further
information to enable the Department to determine whether the
application should be approved or denied.
C. Each application for an
Asbestos Contractor License shall be signed by the applicant or a
person duly authorized to act on behalf of the applicant. Each
application for an Asbestos Supervisor or Asbestos Worker License
shall be signed by the applicant. All applications shall include a
certification by the applicant that his or her License or other
authorization to perform asbestos abatement work has not been
suspended or revoked by any other state and that no enforcement
actions by any state or federal agency are pending against the
applicant.
1.7.4 License Fees and
Issuance/Renewal of Licenses
A. Asbestos Contractors
1. Pursuant to the provisions
of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-12(h), the Department shall grant a
license to an Asbestos Contractor who meets the licensure
requirements set forth in this Part, and upon submission of the
licensure fee as set forth in the rules and regulations pertaining to
the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative
Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this
Title). Said license shall expire two (2) years from the date of
issuance, unless sooner suspended or revoked. Said license may be
renewed every two (2) years in accordance with the provisions of §
1.7.8 of this Part and upon payment of the licensure renewal fee as
set forth in the rules and regulations pertaining to the Fee
Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services
Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).
B. Asbestos Supervisors
1. Pursuant to the provisions
of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-12(h), the Department shall grant a
license for an Asbestos Supervisor, provided said Asbestos Supervisor
meets the licensure requirements set forth in this Part, and upon
submission of the licensure fee as set forth in the rules and
regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory
and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health
(Part 10-05-2 of this Title). Said license shall expire one (1) year
from the date of issuance, unless sooner suspended or revoked. Said
license may be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of
§ 1.7.8 of this Part, upon documentation of compliance with the
requirements of § 1.9.1 of this Part, and upon payment of the
licensure renewal fee as set forth in the rules and regulations
pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and
Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part
10-05-2 of this Title).
C. Asbestos Workers
1. Pursuant to the provisions
of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-12(e), the Department shall grant a
license for an Asbestos Worker provided said Asbestos Worker meets
the licensure requirements set forth in this Part, and upon
submission of the licensure fee as set forth in the rules and
regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory
and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health
(Part 10-05-2 of this Title). Said license shall expire one (1) year
from the date of issuance, unless sooner suspended or revoked. Said
license may be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of
§ 1.7.8 of this Part, upon documentation of compliance with the
requirements of § 1.9.1 of this Part, and upon payment of the
licensure renewal fee as set forth in the rules and regulations
pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and
Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part
10-05-2 of this Title).
D. No license shall be issued
or renewed until the correct application fee has been remitted. Fees
will not be prorated for a period less than the full term of a
license.
1.7.5 Denial of
Applications
A. The Department may deny an
application if it determines that the applicant has not demonstrated
the ability to comply fully with applicable requirements established
by the Act and/or by this Part.
B. An applicant whose
application is denied may request a hearing in accordance with the
rules and regulations pertaining to Practices and Procedures Before
the Department of Health (Part 10-05-4 of this Title).
1.7.6 Suspension or
Revocation of a License and/or Imposition of Civil Penalties
The Department may, for cause
or for violation of this Part, suspend or revoke any license issued
under § 1.7 of this Part and/or impose administrative fines in
accordance with the Act.
1.7.7 Replacement of Lost
or Damaged License
Application for replacement
of a lost or damaged Abatement Supervisor or Abatement Worker License
must be made by the licensed individual and must be accompanied by
the fee required in the rules and regulations pertaining to the Fee
Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services
Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).
1.7.8 Renewal of a License
Requests for renewal of
licenses issued under § 1.7 of this Part must contain all the
information requested by § 1.7.3 of this Part without reference to
any previously submitted material.
1.7.9 Additional
Requirements
The Department may, by rule,
regulations, or order, impose upon any licensee such requirements in
addition to those established in this Part as it deems appropriate or
necessary to minimize danger to public health and safety or property.
1.7.10 Communications
All communications and
reports concerning this Part, and applications filed thereunder,
should be addressed to the Department at its office located at:
Rhode
Island Department of Health
Center
for Healthy Homes and Environment
206
Cannon Building Three Capitol Hill
Providence,
RI 02908-5097
1.8 LICENSEE RECORDKEEPING AND
NOTIFICATION
1.8.1 Notification of
Asbestos Abatement Projects
A. A licensed Asbestos
Contractor shall utilize the most current revision of the
Department's Form ASB-22 to notify the Department in writing at least
ten (10) working days before beginning any on-site work at a planned
asbestos abatement project. A licensed Asbestos Contractor may not
submit this notification until the building owner has received
notification of Department approval for the planned asbestos
abatement project. Delivery of the notice by email, facsimile, U.S.
Postal Service, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery is
acceptable.
B. A licensed Asbestos
Contractor or Asbestos Supervisor shall also notify the Department by
telephone when they begin on-site preparation for an approved
asbestos abatement project.
C. In accordance with the
provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.4-6.1, a licensed Asbestos
Contractor shall also notify the local firefighting authorities, in
writing, prior to initiating any activity in conjunction with an
approved asbestos abatement project.
D. The written notice required
by § 1.8.1(A) of this Part above shall be updated as necessary,
including when the amount of asbestos changes by at least twenty (20)
percent.
E. If an Asbestos Abatement
Project will begin on a date other than the one contained in the
original notice, notice of the new start date must be provided to the
Department as follows:
1. When the Asbestos Abatement
Project will begin after the date contained in the notice:
a. Notify the Department of
the new start date by telephone as soon as possible before the
original start date; and
b. Provide the Department with
a written notice of the new start date as soon as possible before,
and no later than, the original start date.
2. When the Asbestos Abatement
Project will begin on a date earlier than the original start date,
provide the Department with a written notice of the new start date at
least ten (10) working days before the Asbestos Abatement Project
begins.
3. In no event shall an
Asbestos Abatement Project begin on a date other than the date
contained in the written notice of the new start date.
1.8.2 Retention of Records
Each licensed Asbestos
Contractor shall maintain records of all asbestos abatement projects
which it performs and shall make these records available to the
Department upon request. The Asbestos Contractor shall retain the
records until the Department authorizes their disposition.
1.8.3 Required Records
A. The Asbestos Contractor
shall maintain the following information for each asbestos abatement
project at the project site for the duration of the project:
1. The name, address and
license number of each Asbestos Supervisor and Asbestos Worker
utilized on the project.
2. A complete copy of the
approved asbestos abatement plan for the project, including all
amendments.
3. Starting and completion
dates If completion date differs from that originally scheduled, a
statement of reasons for the change must be included.
4. Documentation of compliance
with all applicable regulatory requirements. (e.g., Copies of
workers' medical monitoring and results of respirator fit testing.)
5. Copies of any
correspondence with regulatory agencies concerning the project (e.g.
building or demolition permits, notices of violation, etc.).
6. Receipts and/or manifests
indicating the date(s) and amount(s) of ACM removed from the
abatement project site for disposal, as well as the location(s) to
which the ACM has been removed and/or the agent(s) to whom the ACM
was transferred.
7. The methodology and results
of all air sampling conducted by the Asbestos Contractor during the
abatement process. The results of all air sampling required by OSHA
29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(f) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of
this Part shall be maintained in accordance with OSHA 29 C.F.R. §
1926.1101(n) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part.
8. Documentation of current
required annual review training for all Asbestos Supervisor(s) and
Asbestos Worker(s) utilized on the Asbestos Abatement Project, as
well as a list of any other agents working for the Asbestos
Contractor.
9. A log of control of access
to the work areas.
10. A current copy of this
Part.
11. Documentation of adequacy
of compressed air systems/respiratory protection systems. This
documentation must include a list of compatible components. The
maximum number of respirators that may be used with the system and
the types of respirators that may be used shall be specified.
12. Copies of the procedures
for the utilization of the decontamination enclosure system and/or
any other procedures which have been established to prevent
contamination of areas outside the work area.
13. Copies of procedures to be
followed during medical emergencies, including phone numbers of the
nearest hospital and/or rescue squad that will accept individuals
with potential asbestos contamination. A 24-hour Emergency Contact
Number for the Asbestos Contractor must be posted on site at all
times.
14. Asbestos Supervisor and
Asbestos Worker licenses must be worn or prominently posted at the
project site whenever the licensed individual is being utilized in
conjunction with an Asbestos Abatement Project.
1.9 LICENSEE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
1.9.1 General Training
Requirement
A. Licensed Asbestos
Contractors shall not allow any Asbestos Worker or Asbestos
Supervisor to participate in asbestos abatement projects until the
initial training requirement contained in § 1.9.2 of this Part has
been satisfied. The criteria for successful completion of a required
training course must include obtaining a passing score on the final
course examination, unless the certified training course has been
specifically authorized in writing by the Department to use an
alternative method of determining successful completion.
B. Asbestos Workers and
Asbestos Supervisors may not continue to work beyond the anniversary
of their initial training or last annual review course until a
current annual review course has been completed.
C. Asbestos Contractors shall
satisfy the training requirement either by utilizing certified
courses offered by outside agents or by establishing an in-house
training program and submitting it for certification in accordance
with the procedures contained in § 1.18 of this Part.
D. The Asbestos Contractor
shall ensure that personnel designated as Asbestos Supervisor also
successfully complete a certified initial training course of at least
eight (8) hours duration (exclusive of lunch and break times) as
outlined in § 1.9.3 of this Part.
E. The Asbestos Contractor
shall ensure that Asbestos Workers and Asbestos Supervisors
successfully complete a certified annual review course of at least
eight (8) hours duration (exclusive of lunch and break times) as
outlined in § 1.9.4 of this Part.
1.9.2 Certification of
Training
Requirements for
certification of training courses shall be those contained in § 1.18
of this Part.
1.9.3 Content of Initial
Training Courses
A. The initial training course
shall provide, at a minimum, information on the following topics:
1. The physical
characteristics of asbestos including fiber size, aerodynamic
characteristics and physical appearance;
2. The health hazards of
asbestos including, the nature of asbestos related diseases, routes
of exposure, dose response relationships, synergism between cigarette
smoking and asbestos exposure, latency period for disease and health
basis for standards;
3. Asbestos Worker personal
protective equipment including: the classes and characteristics of
respirator types; limitations of respirators; proper selection,
inspection, donning, use, maintenance and storage procedures; methods
for field testing of the facepiece-to-face seal (positive and
negative pressure fitting tests); qualitative and quantitative fit
testing procedures; variability between field and laboratory
protection factors; factors that alter respirator fit (e.g. facial
hair); the components of a proper respiratory protection program;
selection and use of personal protective clothing; use, storage and
handling of launderable clothing, non- slip footwear, gloves, eye
protection and hard hats;
4. Medical monitoring
procedures and requirements included under OSHA 29 C.F.R. §
1926.1101 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part and 29
C.F.R. § 1910.134 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(C) of this
Part, additional recommended procedures and tests, benefits of
medical monitoring and employee access to records;
5. Air monitoring procedures
and requirements included under OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part including a
description of equipment and methods, reasons for air monitoring,
types of samples and current standards with proposed changes;
6. Additional safety hazards
that may be encountered during asbestos abatement activities and how
to deal with them including electrical hazards, heat stress, air
contaminants other than asbestos, fire and explosion hazards,
scaffold and ladder hazards, slips, trips and falls, confined spaces
and noise;
7. Personal hygiene including
entry and exit procedures for the work area, use of showers and
prohibition of eating, drinking, smoking and chewing (gum or tobacco)
in the work area;
8. State-of-the-art work
practices for asbestos abatement activities including purpose, proper
construction and maintenance of barriers and decontamination
enclosure systems, posting of warning signs, electrical and
ventilation system lock-out, proper working techniques for minimizing
fiber release, use of wet methods and surfactants, use of negative
pressure ventilation equipment, use of HEPA vacuums and proper
clean-up and disposal procedures. Work practice requirements as they
apply to removal, repair, enclosure and encapsulation shall be
discussed individually; and
9. The requirements,
procedures and standards established by OSHA, EPA and the provisions
of the Act and this Part.
B. In addition to the training
specified in § 1.9.3(A) of this Part, individuals designated as
Asbestos Supervisors shall also receive at least six (6) hours of
additional training (exclusive of lunch and break times) which shall
provide, at a minimum, information on the following topics:
1. Legal responsibilities and
potential liabilities of various parties including, but not limited
to, contractors, licensees, employers, employees, building owners and
suppliers;
2. Insurance and bonding;
3. Establishing a medical
surveillance program in accordance with OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part;
4. Rhode Island Department of
Health, EPA, and OSHA recordkeeping requirements;
5. How to supervise
effectively;
6. Additional emphasis on work
practices, including purpose, proper construction and maintenance of
barriers and decontamination systems, posting of warning signs,
electrical and ventilation system lock-out, proper working techniques
for minimizing fiber release, use of wet methods and surfactants, use
of negative pressure ventilation equipment, use and maintenance of
HEPA vacuums, proper clean-up and disposal procedures; and
7. Key elements of contract
specifications.
1.9.4 Content of Annual
Training Courses
The yearly review course
shall consist of at least eight (8) hours of instruction and shall
provide, at a minimum, an adequate review of the topics outlined in §
1.9.3 of this Part, updated information on state-of-the-art
procedures and equipment and reviews of regulatory changes and
interpretations. Specific topic coverage may be requested by the
Department.
1.10 LICENSEE RESPIRATORY
PROTECTION
1.10.1 General Requirement
All license applications from
Asbestos Contractors shall include a written respiratory protection
program in accordance with the requirements of OSHA 29 C.F.R. §
1910.134(c) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(C) of this Part and
29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(h) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of
this Part. This program shall be posted at all projects requiring
asbestos abatement activities over more than a single day.
1.10.2 Selection
Requirements
Respirators shall be selected
that meet the level of protection requirements contained in OSHA 29
C.F.R. § 1926.1101(h) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this
Part and shall be utilized in accordance with OSHA 29 C.F.R. §
1910.134 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(C) of this Part.
1.10.3 Fitting of
Respirators
A. Each Asbestos Supervisor
and Asbestos Worker shall be given an opportunity to try on a variety
of respirator styles and sizes and to select a respirator for
comfortable fit.
B. Each Asbestos Supervisor
and Asbestos Worker shall be instructed in the performance of
positive and negative pressure fit checks and be able to successfully
perform them.
C. Each Asbestos Supervisor
and Asbestos Worker shall be fit tested using generally acceptable
quantitative fit testing methods or by qualitative fit testing
procedures as detailed in the OSHA Construction Industry Standard, 29
C.F.R. § 1910.134 Appendix A incorporated by reference at § 1.2(C)
of this Part, and adequately pass the selected fit test procedure.
D. Asbestos Supervisors and
Asbestos Workers shall be provided with the brand name and model
number of respirators that they have been fitted for and are trained
to use.
1.10.4 Prohibited Activity
A. No Asbestos Supervisor,
Asbestos Worker, or agent shall be permitted in the work area without
the respiratory protection required for the level of exposure in the
workplace. This requirement shall be strictly enforced by the
Asbestos Contractor.
B. No personnel with beards,
long sideburns or other physical characteristics which interfere with
negative pressure respirator faceplate-to-face seal shall be
permitted in the work area when respiratory protection is required by
the level of exposure.
1.11 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Each Asbestos Supervisor and
Asbestos Worker shall be provided with personal protective equipment
and clothing in accordance with OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(i)
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part.
1.12 MEDICAL MONITORING
A. General Requirement
Asbestos Contractors must
ensure that any Asbestos Supervisor, Asbestos Worker or agent who may
be exposed to airborne asbestos is medically monitored in accordance
with the requirements of OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(m) incorporated
by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part, prior to engaging in any
asbestos abatement activity. Monitoring shall include, at a minimum,
those elements required by OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(m)(2)(ii)
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part.
B. Asbestos Supervisors and
Asbestos Workers must also be given an opportunity to be evaluated by
a physician to determine their capability to safely work while
breathing through the added resistance of a respirator. Examining
physicians should be made aware of the nature of respiratory
protective hazards and knowledgeable about the specific types of
respirators the Asbestos Supervisor or Asbestos Worker shall be
required to wear and the work he will be required to perform. They
should also be advised as to special hazards that may exist in the
work place (e.g. high temperatures, toxic contaminants).
C. Chest X-rays shall be taken
by a Registered Radiological Technologist and interpreted in
accordance with OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101 Appendix E incorporated
by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part.
D. Pulmonary function testing
shall be conducted by a NIOSH Certified Pulmonary Technician or other
health professional with training in pulmonary function testing.
1.13 WORKER AIR MONITORING
The Asbestos Contractor must
provide representative air monitoring, in accordance with OSHA 29
C.F.R. § 1926.1101(f) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this
Part, for Asbestos Supervisors and Asbestos Workers during asbestos
abatement activities. Affected Asbestos Supervisors, Asbestos
Workers, and agents of the Asbestos Contractor must be notified of
the results of air monitoring in accordance with OSHA 29 C.F.R. §
1926.1101(f)(5) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part.
1.14 WORK PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
1.14.1 Applicability
Any Asbestos Contractor that
engages in any Asbestos Abatement Project that involves greater than
ten (10) linear feet (three (3) meters) of pipe covered or coated
with asbestos containing material or twenty five (25) square feet
(three (3) square meters) of asbestos containing material used to
cover or coat any surface other than pipe shall comply with the work
practices contained in § 1.14 of this Part and any additional work
practice requirements contained in the asbestos abatement plan
approved for that project by the Director of Health. Specific
requirements for Category I and Category II Nonfriable ACM that is
not Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM) are contained in §§
1.14.8 through 1.14.10 of this Part.
1.14.2 General Requirements
for Removal, Encapsulation and/or Enclosure of Regulated Asbestos
Containing Material (RACM)
A. Barriers to isolate
contaminated from uncontaminated areas shall be constructed of
polyethylene sheeting attached securely in place.
B. All surfaces shall be wet
cleaned of dust or debris. Wet cleaning of contaminated items shall
be performed if necessary. All movable objects shall be removed from
the work area. All nonmovable objects in the work area shall be
covered with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting secured in place. All
openings or penetrations between the work area and uncontaminated
areas shall be sealed, including windows, doorways, elevator
openings, corridor entrances, drains, ducts, grills, grates,
diffusers and skylights.
C. Floor sheeting shall
consist of two (2) layers of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting. Floor
sheeting shall extend up sidewalls at least twelve (12) inches and be
sized to minimize seams. No seams shall be located at wall/floor
joints. Floors being abated of resilient floor coverings and
associated mastics/adhesives shall be exempt from this requirement.
D. Wall sheeting shall consist
of two (2) layers of 4-mil polyethylene sheeting. It shall be
installed to minimize joints and shall extend beyond wall/floor joint
at least twelve (12) inches. No seams shall be located at wall/wall
joints.
E. A worker decontamination
enclosure system, consisting of a clean room, shower room and
equipment room, each separated from each other and from the work area
by airlocks and accessible through doorways protected with two (2)
overlapping polyethylene sheets, shall be provided in accordance with
OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(j) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A)
of this Part. Procedures for the utilization of this system shall be
established which prevent contamination of areas outside the work
area.
F. All HVAC equipment in or
passing through the work area shall be shut down and locked out. All
intake and exhaust openings, as well as any seams in system
components shall be sealed with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting and/or
tape. All system filters shall be replaced after the abatement and
disposed of as asbestos waste. The ventilation system ductwork
interiors shall be decontaminated whenever necessary.
G. Posting
1. Warning signs in accordance
with OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(k)(7) incorporated by reference at §
1.2(A) of this Part shall be displayed at all approaches to any
location where airborne fiber levels can be expected to exceed the
Indoor Non-Occupational Air Exposure Standard established by § 1.5
of this Part.
2. Warning signs to advise the
public of the location(s) within the building where any asbestos
abatement activity is in progress shall be posted at all building
entrances and at least one other conspicuous place per floor. These
signs shall be of the same dimensions as the Warning/Danger signs
required in § 1.14.2(G)(1) of this Part.
3. Warning signs shall be
posted on vehicles used to transport Asbestos Containing Waste
Materials during loading and unloading of the waste.
H. Clean-up procedures using
HEPA vacuuming and wet cleaning techniques shall be performed
following abatement. Wet cleaning shall be followed by HEPA vacuuming
after surfaces have been allowed to dry. The sequence of wet cleaning
and vacuuming shall be repeated at twenty-four (24) hour intervals
until no visible residue is observed in the work area.
I. Negative pressure
ventilation units with HEPA filtration, in sufficient number to
provide one (1) workplace air change every fifteen (15) minutes,
shall be operated continuously from the time of barrier construction
through the time acceptable final clearance air-monitoring results
are obtained. These units shall exhaust filtered air to the outside
of the building. Filtered air shall not be exhausted to
uncontaminated interior spaces.
J. All Asbestos Containing
Waste Materials shall be adequately wetted before being placed into
containers for disposal.
K. Asbestos Containing Waste
Materials shall be placed in impermeable containers for disposal.
Metal or fiber drums with locking-ring tops shall be used when
asbestos waste contains sharp edged components. Double polyethylene
bags of at least 6-mil thickness and which can be securely sealed may
be used for waste. Large components or structural members may be
removed intact and contained in leak-tight wrapping, equivalent to at
least two (2) layers of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting, secured with
tape for disposal.
L. All containers, bags, drums
and wrapped components shall be labeled so that labels have the
appearance of or are constructed in accordance with USDOT 49 C.F.R.
172, Subpart E incorporated by reference at § 1.2(D) of this Part
and OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(k)(8) incorporated by reference at §
1.2(A) of this Part. Each container, bag, drum or wrapped component
shall also be labeled or tagged with the name and license number of
the asbestos contractor generating the waste, as well as the asbestos
abatement project number and location at which the waste was
generated.
M. Storage of asbestos waste
containers awaiting transport to an authorized disposal facility
shall be in a secured location to prevent access by unauthorized
personnel.
N. Transport and disposal of
asbestos waste shall be in accordance with the provisions of Appendix
D to 40 C.F.R. 763, Subpart E incorporated by reference at § 1.2(E)
of this Part and USDOT 49 C.F.R. § 173.1300 incorporated by
reference at § 1.2(F) of this Part.
O. Disposal of Asbestos
Containing Waste Materials. All Asbestos Containing Waste Materials
shall be deposited as soon as is practical by the waste generator at:
1. A waste disposal site
operated in accordance with the provisions of 40 C.F.R. § 61.154, or
equivalent regulations promulgated by a state or local NESHAP
designee; or
2. An EPA-approved site that
converts RACM and Asbestos Containing Waste Materials into
nonasbestos (asbestos-free) material according to the provisions of
40 C.F.R. § 61.155.
P. Access to work areas shall
be controlled and posting requirements shall remain in effect until
compliance with the air exposure standard has been verified by
procedures outlined below:
1. Samples shall be collected
and analyzed in accordance with the procedures specified by NIOSH
Method 7400 (most current Revision) for asbestos fibers in air or
equivalent method;
2. Air volumes shall be
sufficient to accurately determine fiber concentrations to 0.01
fibers/ cubic centimeter of air (f/cc) for fibers greater than five
(5) microns in length or 300 nanograms per cubic meter. A minimum air
volume of 1000 liters shall be sampled;
3. Air sampling shall be
conducted in representative locations with portable fans circulating
air to simulate actual use conditions;
4. An acceptable airborne
fiber concentration, as established by clearance air monitoring shall
not exceed 0.01 f/cc for fibers greater than five (5) microns in
length or 300 nanograms per cubic meter; and
5. Air sampling shall be
conducted by a representative of the building owner who is not
subject to the control or supervision of the Asbestos Contractor for
the asbestos abatement plan.
6. Notwithstanding the
requirements contained in § 1.14.2(P) of this Part above, control of
access and posting requirements for buildings subject to the AHERA
regulations shall remain in effect until compliance with §§
1.17.3(A)(5) through (8) of this Part has been demonstrated.
1.14.3 Specific
Requirements for Removal of Regulated Asbestos Containing Material
(RACM)
A. All RACM shall be
adequately wetted prior to removal. In addition, all RACM exposed
during cutting and disjoining operations shall be adequately wet and
all RACM shall be kept adequately wet during stripping operations.
B. Components shall be removed
intact or in large sections whenever possible and carefully lowered
to the floor.
C. RACM shall be removed in
small sections and containerized when adequately wet. At no time
shall material be allowed to accumulate or become dry. Structural
components shall be adequately wetted prior to being contained in
leak-tight wrapping for disposal.
D. Material shall not be
dropped or thrown to the floor level. For materials located at
heights greater than fifty (50) feet above the floor, a dust-tight,
enclosed chute shall be constructed to transport removed material to
containers on the floor. RACM may be dropped to a raised scaffold or
containerized at elevated levels for disposal. Materials greater than
fifteen (15) feet above the floor shall be dropped onto inclined
chutes or scaffolding or containerized at elevated levels for
eventual disposal.
E. A coating of encapsulating
agent shall be applied to any porous surfaces that have been stripped
of RACM to securely seal any residual fibers that may be present. The
encapsulating agent should be chosen to be compatible with subsequent
coverings.
F. RACM is not required to be
stripped from large facility components such as reactor vessels,
large tanks, and steam generators if the following requirements are
met:
1. The component is removed,
transported, stored, disposed of, or reused without disturbing or
damaging the RACM.
2. The component is encased in
a leak-tight wrapping.
3. The leak-tight wrapping is
labeled during all loading and unloading operations and during
storage.
G. When the temperature at the
point of wetting is below 0°C (32°F):
1. The Asbestos Contractor
need not comply with the wetting provisions of §§ 1.14.3(A) and (C)
of this Part.
2. The Asbestos Contractor
shall remove facility components containing, coated with, or covered
with RACM as units or in sections to the maximum extent possible.
3. During periods when wetting
operations are suspended due to freezing temperatures, the Asbestos
Contractor must record the temperature in the area containing the
facility components at the beginning, middle, and end of each workday
and keep daily temperature records available for inspection by the
Department during normal business hours at the asbestos abatement
project site. The Asbestos Contractor shall retain temperature
records for at least two years.
1.14.4 Specific
Requirements for Encapsulation of Regulated Asbestos Containing
Material (RACM)
A. All loose and hanging RACM
shall be removed in accordance with § 1.14.3 of this Part.
B. Filler material applied to
gaps in existing material shall contain no asbestos, adhere well to
the substrate and provide an adequate base for the encapsulating
agent.
C. Encapsulants shall be
applied using only airless spray equipment with nozzle pressure
adjustable between four hundred (400) and fifteen hundred (1500) PSI
and in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations for a
particular encapsulant.
D. Encapsulated materials
shall be specially designated by signs, labels, color coding or some
mechanism to warn individuals who may be required to disturb the
material.
E. Encapsulants shall not be
solvent-based or utilize a vehicle consisting of hydrocarbons.
1.14.5 Specific
Requirements for Enclosure of Regulated Asbestos Containing Material
(RACM)
A. All areas of RACM shall be
adequately wetted with wetting agents if they are to be disturbed
during the installation of hangers, brackets or other portions of the
enclosure.
B. All loose and hanging RACM
shall be removed in accordance with § 1.14.3 of this Part.
C. Non-asbestos containing
substitutes shall be used to patch thermal insulation and
fireproofing materials when required and where appropriate.
D. Enclosures for RACM shall
be specially designated by signs, labels, color coding or some
mechanism to warn individuals who may be required to disturb or enter
the enclosure.
1.14.6 Specific
Requirements for Demolition of Structures Containing Asbestos
A. Any demolition of a
structure or portion of a structure which contains structural
members, building materials or structural components composed of or
covered by RACM shall be preceded by a removal of all such materials
in accordance with §§ 1.14.2 and 1.14.3 of this Part. Said removal
must be completed before any activity begins that would break up,
dislodge, or similarly disturb the material or preclude access to the
material for subsequent removal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, RACM
need not be removed before demolition if:
1. It is Category I nonfriable
ACM that is not in poor condition and is not friable; or
2. It is on a facility
component that is encased in concrete or other similarly hard
material and is adequately wet whenever exposed during demolition; or
3. It was not accessible for
testing and was, therefore, not discovered until after demolition
began and, because of the demolition, the material cannot be safely
removed. If not removed for safety reasons, the exposed RACM and any
asbestos contaminated debris must be treated as Asbestos Containing
Waste Material and adequately wet at all times until disposed of; or
4. It is Category II
nonfriable ACM and the probability is low that the materials will
become crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder during demolition.
B. For Emergency Asbestos
Abatement Projects described in § 1.6.2(C) of this Part, adequately
wet the portion of the facility that contains RACM during the
wrecking operation.
C. If a facility is demolished
by intentional burning, all RACM, including Category I and Category
II nonfriable ACM, must be removed in accordance with this Part
before burning.
D. In lieu of the requirements
specified in §§ 1.14.2(B), (C), (D), (F) and 1.14.3(E) of this
Part, Asbestos Contractors engaging in demolition activities shall
comply with the following:
1. Prior to beginning a
demolition project, all doors, windows, floor drains, vents and other
openings to the outside of the building and to areas within the
building that do not contain asbestos materials shall be sealed off
with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting and waterproof tape or equivalent
acceptable to the Department.
2. If a structure is to be
partially demolished, HVAC equipment in the demolition area or
passing through it but servicing areas of the building which will
remain, shall be shut down and locked out and thoroughly sealed with
6-mil polyethylene sheeting and waterproof tape.
3. If the building owner
proposes not to conduct clearance air sampling following asbestos
abatement activities conducted for demolition purposes, the building
owner must submit written justification to the Department which
describes how personnel who must occupy the building prior to
demolition will be protected.
4. All other requirements of
§§ 1.14.2 and 1.14.3 of this Part, unless specified in § 1.14.6(D)
of this Part, shall apply to demolition abatement activities.
1.14.7 General Requirements
for Use of Glove Bags During Removal and/or Encapsulation of
Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM)
A. In lieu of the requirements
specified in §§ 1.14.2(A) through (F), (H), and (I) of this Part,
Asbestos Contractors using glove bags during removal and/or
encapsulation of RACM shall comply with the following:
1. All glove bags must remain
stationary during asbestos abatement activities. The use of moving
and/or sliding glove bag techniques are prohibited.
2. Abatement projects which do
not exceed the scope of Spot Repairs, as defined by this Part, and
which can be contained within one stationary glove bag may be
performed in accordance with the glove bag procedures contained in 29
C.F.R. § 1926.1101(g)(5) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of
this Part without the use of additional containment or negative
pressure ventilation. The clearance air monitoring provisions of §
1.14.2(P) of this Part are waived unless there has been a breach of
the glove bag containment.
3. All other abatement
projects that involve less than two hundred and sixty (260) linear
feet [eighty (80) meters] of pipe covered or coated with RACM or one
hundred and sixty (160) square feet [fifteen (15) square meters] of
RACM used to cover or coat any surface other than pipe shall comply
with the following requirements:
a. All doors, windows, floor
drains, vents and other openings to the outside of the building and
to areas within the building that do not contain asbestos materials
shall be sealed off with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting and waterproof
tape or equivalent acceptable to the Department.
b. Floor sheeting shall
consist of at least one (1) layer of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting.
Floor sheeting shall be placed directly beneath the glove bag and
shall extend at least ten (10) feet in all horizontal directions. If
any wall is less than ten (10) feet from the glove bag, the floor
sheeting shall be extended up that wall to at least the height of the
glove bag.
c. HVAC equipment in the
abatement area or passing through it but servicing other areas of the
building shall be shut down and locked out and thoroughly sealed with
6-mil polyethylene sheeting and waterproof tape.
d. Negative pressure
ventilation units with HEPA filtration shall be operated continuously
from the time of barrier construction through the time acceptable
final clearance air-monitoring results are obtained. These units
shall exhaust filtered air to the outside of the building. Filtered
air shall not be exhausted to uncontaminated interior spaces.
e. Manufacturer's instructions
concerning preparation, sealing, utilization and removal of glove
bags must be followed unless the abatement plan and/or this Part
specify more restrictive requirements.
f. A worker decontamination
enclosure system must be available immediately adjacent to the
abatement area. A two-chamber decontamination system may be used if
shower facilities are otherwise available on the project site.
4. All abatement projects that
involve more than two hundred and sixty (260) linear feet [eighty
(80) meters] of pipe covered or coated with RACM or one hundred and
sixty (160) square feet [fifteen (15) square meters] of RACM used to
cover or coat any surface other than pipe shall comply with the
following requirements:
a. All doors, windows, floor
drains, vents and other openings to the outside of the building and
to areas within the building that do not contain asbestos materials
shall be sealed off with 6-mil polyethylene sheeting and waterproof
tape or equivalent acceptable to the Department.
b. Floor sheeting shall
consist of at least one (1) layer of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting.
Floor sheeting shall extend up sidewalls at least twelve (12) inches
and be sized to minimize seams. No seams shall be located at
wall/floor joints.
c. Wall sheeting shall consist
of at least one (1) layer of 4-mil polyethylene sheeting. It shall be
installed to minimize joints and shall extend from the wall/ ceiling
joint to at least twelve (12) inches beyond the wall/floor joint. No
seams shall be located at wall/wall joints.
d. HVAC equipment in the
abatement area or passing through it but servicing other areas of the
building shall be shut down and locked out and thoroughly sealed with
6-mil polyethylene sheeting and waterproof tape.
e. Negative pressure
ventilation units with HEPA filtration shall be operated continuously
from the time of barrier construction through the time acceptable
final clearance air monitoring results are obtained. These units
shall exhaust filtered air to the outside of the building. Filtered
air shall not be exhausted to uncontaminated interior spaces.
f. Manufacturer's instructions
concerning preparation, sealing, utilization and removal of glove
bags must be followed unless the abatement plan and/or this Part
specify more restrictive requirements.
g. A three-chamber worker
decontamination enclosure system, in accordance with 29 C.F.R. §
1926.1101(j) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part,
must be available immediately adjacent to the abatement area.
5. All other requirements of
§§ 1.14.2 and 1.14.3 of this Part, unless specifically deleted in §
1.14.7(A) of this Part, shall apply to use of glove bags during
removal and/or encapsulation of asbestos.
B. Any requests for additional
waivers and/or alternative procedures must be submitted for
Department review and approval in accordance with § 1.16 of this
Part.
1.14.8 Specific
Requirements for Removal of Category I Nonfriable ACM - Asphalt
Roofing Products
A. All surfaces shall be wet
cleaned of dust or debris. All movable objects shall be removed from
the roof area. All openings or penetrations on the roof area and at
least one level below the roof area shall be sealed, including
windows, doorways, drains, ducts, grills, grates, diffusers and
skylights.
B. Floor/ground sheeting shall
consist of at least two (2) layers of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting and
shall be utilized as follows:
1. If the roof is pitched,
sheeting shall be applied to the first horizontal surface below the
work area and shall extend from the edge of the building to at least
ten (10) feet away from the building. All material being abated shall
be confined to the roof area.
2. If the roof is flat,
sheeting shall extend at least ten (10) feet away from the perimeter
of the work area. When the edge of the roof is less than ten (10)
feet from the perimeter of the work area, sheeting shall be applied
such that the outer edge of the sheeting is at least ten (10) feet
from the perimeter of the work area.
C. All HVAC intake or exhaust
vents on the roof area and at least one level below the roof area
shall be shut down and locked out. All intake and exhaust openings,
as well as any seams in system components shall be sealed with 6-mil
polyethylene sheeting and/or tape.
D. A minimum of a
two-chambered worker decontamination enclosure system shall be
provided on site. Procedures for the utilization of this system shall
be established which prevent contamination of areas outside the roof
area.
E. Warning signs shall be
posted in accordance with § 1.14.2(G) of this Part.
F. Category I Nonfriable ACM
shall be removed in small sections and containerized when wet. At no
time shall material be allowed to accumulate or become dry.
G. Category I Nonfriable ACM
shall not be dropped or thrown to the floor/ground level. For roofs
at heights greater than fifty (50) feet above the floor/ground, a
dust-tight, enclosed chute shall be constructed to transport removed
Category I Nonfriable ACM to containers on the floor/ground. Category
I Nonfriable ACM may be dropped to a raised scaffold or containerized
at elevated levels for disposal.
H. All Category I Nonfriable
ACM shall be adequately wetted before being placed into containers
for disposal. Disposal shall be in accordance with §§ 1.14.2(K)
through (O) of this Part.
I. A coating of encapsulating
agent shall be applied to any porous surfaces that have been stripped
of Category I Nonfriable ACM to securely seal any residual fibers
that may be present. The encapsulating agent should be chosen to be
compatible with subsequent coverings.
J. Clean-up procedures using
HEPA vacuuming and wet cleaning techniques shall be performed
following abatement.
K. Personnel air monitoring of
Asbestos Supervisors and Asbestos Workers, which demonstrates
compliance with the provisions of OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101(f)
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part, may be used in
lieu of the clearance air sampling requirements contained in §
1.14.2(P) of this Part.
1.15 WORK PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS -
SPOT REMOVALS
1.15.1 Applicability
A. Individuals performing spot
repairs must be certified as a competent person in accordance with §
1.19 of this Part and shall take reasonable precautions to prevent
the release of asbestos fibers to the environment. The reasonable
precautions required by § 1.15.1 of this Part shall include, but are
not limited to the following:
1. Barriers constructed shall
be adequate to contain asbestos fibers released within the work area.
2. Procedures shall be
established to prevent asbestos contamination in all areas outside
the work area(s).
3. All asbestos containing
material shall be wetted prior to removal and kept wet until
containerized.
4. HEPA vacuum equipment and
wet cleaning techniques shall be used to clean up the work area
following abatement until there is no visible residue.
5. Asbestos waste shall be
packaged in impermeable containers such as polyethylene sheeting,
bags and/or fiber or metal drums and shall be labeled so that labels
have the appearance of or are constructed in accordance with USDOT 49
C.F.R. § 172, Subpart E incorporated by reference at § 1.2(D) of
this Part and OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101 incorporated by reference
at § 1.2(A) of this Part. Each container, bag, drum or wrapped
component shall also be labeled or tagged with the name and license
number of the asbestos contractor generating the waste, as well as
the asbestos abatement project number and location at which the waste
was generated.
6. Transport and disposal of
asbestos waste shall be in accordance with the provisions of Appendix
D to 40 C.F.R. § 763, Subpart E incorporated by reference at §
1.2(E) of this Part and USDOT 49 C.F.R. § 173.1300 incorporated by
reference at § 1.2(F) of this Part.
1.15.2 Documentation
A. Documentation of all spot
repairs must be maintained with the permanent building records. This
documentation shall include, at a minimum, the identity of the
competent person performing the spot repair, the date the spot repair
was performed, the specific location that was repaired, the methods
used to perform the spot repair, the quantity of asbestos that was
involved in the spot repair and receipts for the disposal of any
asbestos waste.
B. Exposure monitoring shall
be in accordance with the provisions of OSHA 29 C.F.R. §
1926.1101(f) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part.
1.16 ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES
The Department may, on a
case-by-case basis, approve an alternative procedure for control of
emissions from an asbestos abatement project provided that the
building owner submits the alternative procedure to the Department in
writing and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that
compliance with the prescribed procedures is not practical or not
feasible or that the proposed alternative procedures provide
equivalent control of asbestos. The Department, following its review,
may approve an alternative procedure if it determines that it will
minimize the emission of asbestos.
1.17 ABATEMENT (MANAGEMENT) PLANS
AND OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
1.17.1 General Requirements
A. This section applies to
Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plans submitted pursuant to § 1.6 of
this Part. All asbestos abatement projects conducted at any facility,
except for spot repairs as defined in this Part, must be conducted in
accordance with an Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan which has
been submitted by the building owner and approved by the Department.
B. Asbestos Abatement
(Management) Plans shall be submitted on forms provided by the
Department. Said forms shall be signed by the building owner or
legally authorized agent. Consultants retained to prepare Asbestos
Abatement (Management) Plans are not authorized to sign these forms.
C. An Asbestos Abatement
(Management) Plan for any school or school building subject to the
AHERA regulations must be prepared by a consultant certified for the
proposed scope of abatement work in accordance with §§ 1.21.2(B)(5)
and/or 1.21.2(B)(6) of this Part.
D. An Asbestos Abatement
(Management) Plan for any public or private building, other than
schools or school buildings subject to the AHERA regulations, must be
prepared by the building owner, a full-time employee of the building
owner or an Asbestos Project Designer certified in accordance with §
1.21.2(B)(5) of this Part.
1.17.2 Contents of an
Abatement (Management) Plan
A. An Asbestos Abatement
(Management) Plan submitted in accordance with § 1.6 of this Part
must include all the information required by the forms provided by
the Department.
B. An Asbestos Abatement
(Management) Plan must include an interim Operations and Maintenance
Program that will be implemented until the asbestos containing
material can be abated. Furthermore, any Asbestos Abatement
(Management) Plan which does not include complete removal of all
asbestos containing material in the area(s) being abated must also
include a long-term Operations and Maintenance Program for the
remaining asbestos containing material.
C. An Operations and
Maintenance Program must address, as a minimum, the following items:
1. Action(s) to be taken when
the monitoring program discovers asbestos containing material in need
of abatement;
2. Monitoring the physical
conditions of the asbestos containing materials in accordance with §
1.22 of this Part, including a schedule for monitoring and methods
for documentation of findings;
3. Educating the building
staff and occupants regarding the presence and location of asbestos
containing material;
4. Procedures for alerting
outside service personnel and others to the presence and location of
asbestos containing material, including the Warning Label provisions
of 40 C.F.R. § 763.95 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(G) of this
Part;
5. Steps to be taken which
will minimize the likelihood of asbestos fiber release. (e.g.,
Modification of maintenance activities, spot repairs, etc.); and
6. Steps to be taken which
will minimize the potential of human exposure to asbestos (e.g.,
Limit access to areas known to contain friable asbestos material in
deteriorating condition.)
1.17.3 Post Abatement
Requirements
A. Clearance Air Sampling.
Clearance air sampling for all buildings subject to the AHERA
regulations shall be conducted in accordance with §§ 1.17.3(A)(5)
through (8) of this Part. Clearance air sampling for all other
buildings shall be conducted in accordance with §§ 1.17.3(A)(1)
through (4) of this Part.
1. Clearance air sampling
shall be conducted and reviewed for compliance with the Indoor
Non-Occupational Air Exposure Standard established by § 1.5.1 of
this Part prior to dismantling the containment barriers and prior to
reoccupancy of the abated area.
2. Clearance air samples shall
be collected by a representative of the building owner in accordance
with the requirements of § 1.14.2(P) of this Part. This
representative shall be an independent agent who is not subject to
the Asbestos Contractor's control or supervision. All such clearance
air samples shall only be analyzed by an Asbestos Analytical Service
certified for this activity in accordance with § 1.20 of this Part.
3. The building owner shall
review the results of clearance air sampling prior to dismantling the
containment barriers and prior to reoccupancy of the abated area. If
sampling results exceed the Indoor Non-Occupational Air Exposure
Standard established by § 1.5 of this Part, the area shall be
recleaned in accordance with §§ 1.7 through 1.16 of this Part and
the clearance air sampling shall be repeated. Cleaning and resampling
shall be repeated at no less than twenty-four (24) hour intervals
until the abated area follows the Indoor Non-Occupational Air
Exposure Standard established by § 1.5.1 of this Part.
4. Within three (3) working
days of receipt of clearance air sampling results for an abated area,
the building owner shall notify the Department either by telephone or
in writing of the completion of the asbestos abatement project and
the results of the clearance air sampling. The building owner shall
also submit to the Department a certified copy of results of all
clearance air sampling conducted in the abatement area and each area
adjacent to the abatement area indicating each area follows the
Indoor Non-Occupational Air Exposure Standard established by § 1.5
of this Part.
5. Clearance air sampling
shall be conducted in accordance with 40 C.F.R. §§ 763.90(i)(2)
through (i)(8) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(H) of this Part
and reviewed for compliance with the average asbestos concentration
established by 40 C.F.R. §§ 763.90(i)(3) through (i)(7)
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(H) of this Part prior to
dismantling the containment barriers described in the approved
asbestos abatement plan and prior to reoccupancy of the abated area.
6. Clearance air samples shall
be collected by a representative of the building owner in accordance
with the requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 763.90(i)(2) incorporated by
reference at § 1.2(H) of this Part. This representative shall be an
independent agent who is not subject to the Asbestos Contractor's
control or supervision. All such clearance air samples shall only be
analyzed by an Asbestos Analytical Service certified for this
activity in accordance with § 1.20 of this Part. Notwithstanding the
preceding, the requirement to use only Department certified
laboratories for samples analyzed via Transmission Electron
Microscopy (TEM) is waived until the Department has established
requirements for the certification of such facilities.
7. The building owner shall
review the results of clearance air sampling prior to dismantling the
containment barriers and prior to reoccupancy of the abated area. If
sampling results exceed the average asbestos concentration
established by 40 C.F.R. § 763.90(i)(3) through (i)(7) incorporated
by reference at § 1.2(H) of this Part, the area shall be recleaned
in accordance with §§ 1.7 through 1.16 of this Part and the
clearance air sampling shall be repeated. Cleaning and resampling
shall be repeated at no less than twenty-four (24) hour intervals
until the abated area follows the average asbestos concentration
established by 40 C.F.R. §§ 763.90(i)(3) through (i)(7).
8. Within three (3) working
days of receipt of clearance air sampling results for an abated area,
the building owner shall notify the Department either by telephone or
in writing of the completion of the asbestos abatement project and
the results of the clearance air sampling. The building owner shall
also submit to the Department a certified copy of results of all
clearance air sampling conducted in the abatement area and each area
adjacent to the abatement area indicating each area follows the
Indoor Non-Occupational Air Exposure Standard established by § 1.5
of this Part and/or the average asbestos concentration established by
40 C.F.R. §§ 763.90(i)(3) through (i)(7) incorporated by reference
at § 1.2(H) of this Part, as appropriate.
B. Confirmation of Disposal of
Asbestos. For all Asbestos Containing Waste Material transported off
the Asbestos Abatement Project Site, the Asbestos Contractor shall:
1. Maintain waste shipment
records, using the most current revision of Agency Form ASB-23 to
provide the following information:
a. The name, address, and
telephone number of the Asbestos Contractor.
b. The approximate quantity in
cubic yards (cubic meters).
c. The name and telephone
number of the disposal site operator.
d. The name and physical site
location of the disposal site.
e. The date transported.
f. The name, address, and
telephone number of the transporter(s).
g. A certification that the
contents of this consignment are fully and adequately described by
proper shipping name and are classified, packed, marked, and labeled,
and are in all respects in proper condition for transport by highway
according to applicable international and government regulations.
2. Provide a properly
completed copy of Agency Form ASB-23 to the disposal site owners or
operators at the same time as the Asbestos Containing Waste Material
is delivered to the waste disposal site.
3. Provide the building owner
with the original (white) copy of Agency Form ASB-23 signed by the
owner or operator of the designated disposal site. Said original copy
shall be transmitted to the Department by the building owner within
five (5) working days of receipt.
4. For waste shipments where a
copy of the waste shipment record, signed by the owner or operator of
the designated disposal site, is not received by the Asbestos
Contractor within thirty-five (35) days of the date the waste was
accepted by the initial transporter [i.e. the date the waste left the
abatement project site], contact the transporter and/or the owner or
operator of the designated disposal site to determine the status of
the waste shipment.
5. Report in writing to the
Department if a copy of the waste shipment record, signed by the
owner or operator of the designated waste disposal site, is not
received by the Asbestos Contractor within forty-five (45) days of
the day the waste was accepted by the initial transporter. Include in
the report the following information:
a. A copy of the waste
shipment record for which a confirmation of delivery was not
received; and
b. A cover letter signed by
the Asbestos Contractor explaining the efforts taken to locate the
asbestos waste shipment and the results of those efforts.
6. Retain a copy of all waste
shipment records, including a copy of the waste shipment record
signed by the owner or operator of the designated waste disposal
site, for at least two (2) years.
1.17.4 Revocation of
Department Approval for an Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan
A. The Department may revoke
any Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan approval issued pursuant to
this Part if the granting of said approval was based upon statements
which prove to be false or based on misrepresentation of fact.
B. Any aggrieved party shall
have the right to a hearing on any such revocation. Said request for
a hearing shall be in writing and shall be made within ten (10) days
of notification of said revocation.
1.17.5 Expiration of
Department Approval for an Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan
A. An Asbestos Abatement
(Management) Plan approval issued by the Department pursuant to this
Part shall become invalid unless the work authorized by said approval
shall have been commenced within six (6) months after its issuance
and been completed within twelve (12) months after its issuance.
B. The six (6) month limit
provided for by § 1.17.5(A) of this Part above may be extended, for
cause, up to an additional ninety (90) days. Written justification
for such an extension must be submitted for Department review prior
to the approval expiration date. All Department approvals for such an
extension must be in writing.
C. The six (6) month limit
provided for by § 1.17.5(A) of this Part above shall not apply to
any suspension or abandonment of an Department approved abatement
project when the suspension or abandonment is due to a court order
prohibiting such work as authorized by said approval.
1.17.6 Asbestos Abatement
(Management) Plan Fees
A. The application fee must
accompany the Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan and shall be in
the form of a check made payable to General Treasurer, State of Rhode
Island. This fee is nonrefundable and will not be returned if the
Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan is denied or otherwise not
approved by the Department. The application fee also includes the
inspection fee, authorized by R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-7(d), for any
inspections of said Asbestos Abatement Project which are deemed
necessary by the Department.
B. The application fee is
based on the number of NESHAP units of ACM involved in the abatement
project. One (1) NESHAP unit equals two hundred and sixty (260)
linear feet [eighty (80) meters] of ACM or one hundred and sixty
(160) square feet [fifteen (15) square meters] of ACM or thirty-five
(35) cubic feet [one (1) cubic meter] of ACM off facility components
where the length or area could not be measured previously. If any
combination of linear, square or cubic feet is involved, the sum of
the fractions must be used to determine the actual number of NESHAP
units involved in the asbestos abatement project. The application
fees are as set forth in the rules and regulations pertaining to the
Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services
Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).
C. Any amendments to the
Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan which increase the scope of work
into a higher fee category will be reassessed. The difference in the
two fees shall be submitted to the Department in the form of a check
made payable to General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island.
D. Any amendments to the
Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan which request additional waivers
and/or variances under the provisions of § 1.16 of this Part will be
assessed a flat fee as set forth in the rules and regulations
pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and
Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part
10-05-2 of this Title). Said fee shall be submitted to the Department
in the form of a check made payable to General Treasurer, State of
Rhode Island. However, said fee will be waived if the amendment(s) to
the Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan also include a request for
an increase in the scope of work which would result in the fee
difference in accordance with § 1.17.6(C) of this Part being
assessed.
E. All other amendments to the
Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan, including those involving only
minor changes that can receive Department approval over the
telephone, will not be charged a fee.
F. Waiver and/or exemption of
Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan Fees: The application fee shall
be waived for any Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plan which is
eligible for loans or grants in accordance with the provisions of
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-19 and/or any rules or regulations
promulgated by the Rhode Island Department of Administration pursuant
to the authority conferred by R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-19. State
agencies shall be exempt from application fees associated with the
submittal of Asbestos Abatement (Management) Plans.
1.17.7 Recordkeeping
Requirements for AHERA Management Plans
All records required by 40
C.F.R. § 763.94 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(I) of this Part
for school buildings subject to the AHERA regulations shall be
maintained in a centralized location in the administrative office of
both the school building and the Local Education Agency (LEA) and
shall be considered a part of the AHERA management plan(s) for all
such buildings. These records shall be maintained until their
disposal is specifically authorized in writing by the Department
unless a shorter retention period is specifically authorized by 40
C.F.R. § 763.94 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(I) of this Part
for that type of record.
1.18 CERTIFICATION OF ASBESTOS
ABATEMENT TRAINING COURSES
1.18.1 General Requirement
A. Training courses offered
and conducted for the purpose of meeting the training requirements of
this Part must be certified in accordance with § 1.18 of this Part.
Applicants, in order to obtain certification for a training course,
must submit an application which demonstrates compliance with the
requirements of § 1.18 of this Part.
B. Notwithstanding the
requirements of § 1.17.1(A) of this Part, initial or review training
courses for Asbestos Inspectors, Asbestos Project Designers or
Asbestos Management Planners that are currently certified by other
jurisdictions in accordance with the EPA Model Accreditation Program
(MAP) will be considered as having been certified in accordance with
§ 1.18 of this Part.
C. The criteria for successful
completion of a required training course must include obtaining a
passing score on the final course examination, unless the certified
training course has been specifically authorized in writing by the
Department to use an alternative method of determining successful
completion.
D. The training provider shall
notify the Department of all scheduled, canceled, and completed
asbestos training courses within seven (7) days of scheduling and
completion. When implemented, the use of the Department's electronic
training reporting system constitutes compliance with these
notification requirements.
1.18.2 Application for
Certification of Training Courses
A. An applicant for
certification of any asbestos abatement training course shall submit
the following information for Department review at least forty-five
(45) days prior to the first scheduled course date:
1. The name and address of the
person(s), consulting firm, union, trade association, governmental
agency, educational institution or other entity which proposes to
conduct the training course, background information about the course
sponsors, the name of the responsible individual and his/her
telephone number.
2. The type of course(s) for
which certification is being requested.
3. A detailed outline of the
course curriculum including the amount of time allotted to each
topic, the name and training/qualifications of the individual(s)
responsible for developing the instruction program for each topic and
the name of the instructor(s) for each topic.
4. A description of the
teaching methods to be used to present each topic including, where
appropriate, lectures, discussions, demonstrations and audio-visual
materials. When applicable, include the name, producer and date of
production of audio-visual materials to be used.
5. Copies of written materials
to be distributed. All materials submitted in conjunction with the
application shall be typewritten or machine printed.
6. Evidence demonstrating that
the applicant has employed or contracted as instructors, either on a
full time or temporary basis, enough persons (a minimum of two) who
meet the training and experience criteria contained in § 1.18.3 of
this Part. Resumes describing special training and education and/or
prior experience may be submitted for providing this evidence.
7. A list of the types, brand
names and quantities of respirators to be used to demonstrate and fit
test or flow test respirators.
8. A description of the type
and quantity of protective clothing to be used during practice
exercises and demonstrations.
9. A description of the
materials to be used for hands-on practice exercises and
demonstrations, including hand tools, ladders, plastic sheeting and
other barrier construction supplies, negative air filtration units,
water spray devices and decontamination facilities.
10. A detailed description of
the site of the training course including address where
demonstrations and hands-on practice exercises will be conducted.
11. Any restrictions on
attendance (language, degree of literacy required, union or group
association, etc.).
a. Oral final examinations are
not permitted unless specifically requested by the applicant and
authorized in writing by the Department. The applicant must
specifically identify the circumstances under which an oral final
examination will be used. If oral final examinations are to be given
in a language other than English, the applicant must outline the
procedure used to ensure the integrity of the examination process.
b. Only Initial and Annual
Review courses for Asbestos Workers and Competent Persons may be
presented in a foreign language. Where such foreign language courses
are offered, the applicant must translate all the course materials
into the foreign language and submit them to the Department. The
applicant must certify to the Department that the translations have
been adequately checked for accuracy and provide the qualifications
of the person(s) making the translation.
c. Written final examinations
must be administered in the same language in which the other course
materials were presented.
d. Department approval of an
English language Asbestos Worker Initial or Annual Review course does
not constitute approval to offer that course in any other language.
Each foreign language version of an Asbestos Worker Initial or Annual
Review course must receive specific Department approval. Department
approval to present Asbestos Worker Initial or Annual Review courses
in a foreign language must be issued prior to its initial offering
and will not be retroactive.
12. Instructor to student
ratio for the hands-on practice exercises and demonstrations. Written
justification must be submitted for student to instructor ratios
greater than ten to one (10:1).
13. Copies of typical final
examination questions/answers, including the typical number and
distribution of questions among the various subject areas, as well as
the minimum grade which must be obtained for a trainee to
successfully complete the course. Final examinations for Asbestos
Inspector, Asbestos Management Planner and Asbestos Worker training
courses must consist of at least fifty (50) multiple choice
questions. Final examinations for Asbestos Project Designer and
Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor training courses must consist of at
least one-hundred (100) multiple choice questions. Final examinations
for all Annual Review and Competent Person training courses, as well
as any other Department approved training course containing up to
fourteen (14) instructional hours, must consist of at least fifteen
to twenty-five (15-25) multiple choice questions, depending on the
length of the training course. The minimum passing grade must be at
least seventy percent (70%).
14. The Department shall be
immediately notified in writing of any significant changes in any
information submitted by the applicant. These changes may not be
implemented until they have been approved by the Department.
15. Appropriate course content
and duration, as defined by § 1.18.8 of this Part.
16. The mechanism(s) that the
applicant will use to ensure that all prospective students have
successfully completed the appropriate initial training course(s)
before being allowed to enroll in the respective annual review
course(s), and that all prospective students have successfully
completed any prerequisites for an initial training course (e.g.,
Inspector initial training is required for Management Planner).
1.18.3 Criteria for
Instructors
A. To be eligible for
certification of any training course, two (2) or more course
instructors shall be employed. Enough instructors shall be hired to
ensure that all the education and experience criteria for instructors
set forth below are met:
1. An instructor shall have
experience in both the design, field performance and evaluation of
air monitoring programs and the design and implementation of
respiratory protection programs.
2. To qualify to teach the
sections of the course concerning the health effects of asbestos, a
qualified health professional shall be employed.
3. To qualify to teach the
sections of the course covering the hands-on practice sessions, an
instructor shall be employed with experience as an asbestos
contractor or experience as an on-site foreman or supervisor of
asbestos workers. This person shall have had direct experience in all
phases of asbestos abatement work including work area preparation,
construction of barriers, the use of personal protective equipment,
engineering controls, work practices, clean-up, disposal and
decontamination.
4. An instructor shall have
experience in designing, implementing and evaluating either employee
educational programs in occupational health and safety or vocational
educational programs.
1.18.4 Recordkeeping
Requirements
The training entity shall
maintain documentation of each certified course offered which shall
include as a minimum: type of course, date(s) and location(s) of
course, class roster and results of any final examination/evaluation,
as well as the unique certificate number, for each student enrolled.
The training entity shall retain all required records for a period of
at least ten (10) years and shall make this information available to
the Department upon request.
1.18.5 Suspension or
Revocation of Certification
A. The Department may suspend
or revoke any certification issued under § 1.18 of this Part for:
1. Submitting false
information on an application;
2. Failure to comply with this
Part;
3. Incompetence and/or
negligence; or
4. Any good cause within the
meaning and purpose of this Part or the Act.
1.18.6 Asbestos Training
Course Fees and Issuance/Renewal of Certificates
A. An application fee as set
forth in the rules and regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure
for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the
Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title) must accompany the
application and shall be in the form of a check made payable to
General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island. This fee is non-refundable
and will not be returned if the application is denied or otherwise
not approved by the Department.
B. Pursuant to the provisions
of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-14(c), the Department shall grant a
certificate to an Asbestos Training Course which meets the
certification requirements set forth in this Part, and upon
submission of the certification fee as set forth in the rules and
regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory
and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health
(Part 10-05-2 of this Title). Said certificate shall expire two (2)
years from the date of issuance unless sooner suspended or revoked.
Said certificate may be renewed every two (2) years in accordance
with the provisions of § 1.18.7 of this Part and upon payment of the
renewal application fee and the appropriate certification fee as set
forth in the rules and regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure
for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the
Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title).
C. Amendments to Asbestos
Training Courses will not be charged a fee.
D. Waiver of Asbestos Training
Course Fees. The application and certification fees shall be waived
for any Asbestos Training Course which is conducted by a Rhode Island
state college or university and/or any agency of the State of Rhode
Island or its political subdivisions.
1.18.7 Renewal of
Certification
A. Requests for renewal of
certifications issued under § 1.18 of this Part must contain all the
information requested by § 1.18.2 of this Part without reference to
any previously submitted material.
B. In any case in which the
responsible individual of a training course with complete
certification, not less than 30 days prior to expiration of its
existing complete certification, has filed an application in proper
form for renewal, such existing complete certification shall not
expire until final action on the application has been taken by the
Department.
1.18.8 Certified Training
Courses - Types, Content and Duration
A. The initial training course
for all Asbestos Workers and Asbestos Supervisors shall conform to
the content specified by § 1.9.3(A) of this Part, shall consist of
at least thirty-two (32) hours over a period of at least four (4)
days. The course shall include a minimum of eight (8) hours
conducting practice exercises which demonstrate that the participant
can:
1. Properly perform all
aspects of asbestos abatement work; and
2. Prevent unnecessary
asbestos exposure to the general public and co-workers by properly
constructing and maintaining temporary plastic barriers, by properly
using respiratory protection, protective clothing and other
protective equipment, and by using proper work area clean-up,
decontamination and waste disposal techniques.
B. The additional training for
all Asbestos Supervisors shall conform to the content specified by §
1.9.3(B) of this Part and shall consist of at least eight (8) hours
of instruction.
C. The annual review course
for all Asbestos Workers and Asbestos Supervisors shall consist of
the one (1) day (at least eight (8) hours of instruction) training
course specified by § 1.9.4 of this Part.
D. The initial training course
for Competent Persons required by § 1.19.1 of this Part shall
consist of at least sixteen (16) hours of instruction and must
contain the material required by § 1.19.2(A) of this Part.
E. The initial training for
all individuals providing Asbestos Inspection Services shall consist
of a three (3) day (twenty-four (24) hours in duration) training
course. Lectures, demonstrations and field exercise(s) shall provide,
at a minimum, all of the information required for initial training of
Inspectors by the EPA Model Accreditation Plan (40 C.F.R. Part 763,
Subpart E, Appendix C, incorporated by reference at § 1.2(B) of this
Part). The initial training course must also include specific
training in the asbestos assessment protocol contained in § 1.22 of
this Part.
F. The annual review course
for all individuals providing Asbestos Inspection Services shall
consist of the one-half (1/2) day (at least four (4) hours of
instruction) training course which shall provide, at a minimum, an
adequate review of the topics specified by § 1.18.8(E) of this Part,
updated information on state-of-the-art procedures and equipment, and
reviews of regulatory changes and interpretations. Specific topic
coverage may be requested by the Department.
G. The initial training for
all individuals providing Asbestos Project Designer Services shall
consist of a three (3) day (twenty-four (24) hours in duration)
training course. Lectures, demonstrations and field trip(s) shall
provide, at a minimum, all of the material required for initial
training of Abatement Project Designers by the EPA Model
Accreditation Plan (40 C.F.R. 763, Subpart E, Appendix C,
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(B) of this Part).
H. The annual review course
for all individuals providing Asbestos Project Designer Services
shall consist of the one (1) day (at least eight (8) hours of
instruction) training course which shall provide, at a minimum, an
adequate review of the topics specified by § 1.18.8(G) of this Part,
updated information on state-of-the-art procedures and equipment, and
reviews of regulatory changes and interpretations. Specific topic
coverage may be requested by the Department.
I. The initial training for
all individuals providing Asbestos Management Planner Services shall
consist of both the three (3) day (twenty-four (24) hours in
duration) training course for Asbestos Inspectors specified by §
1.18.8(E) of this Part and an additional two (2) day (sixteen (16)
hours in duration) training course specifically for Asbestos
Management Planners. This additional training course shall consist of
lectures, demonstrations and field trip(s) and shall provide, at a
minimum, all of the material required for initial training of
Asbestos Management Planners by the EPA Model Accreditation Plan (40
C.F.R. Part 763, Subpart E, Appendix C, incorporated by reference at
§ 1.2(B) of this Part).
J. The annual review for all
individuals providing Asbestos Management Planner Services shall
consist of one half (1/2) day (at least four (4) hours of
instruction) training course specifically for Asbestos Management
Planners which shall provide, at a minimum, an adequate review of the
topics specified by § 1.18.8(I) of this Part, updated information on
state-of-the-art procedures and equipment, and reviews of regulatory
changes and interpretations. Specific topic coverage may be requested
by the Department.
1.19 CERTIFICATION OF COMPETENT
PERSONS
1.19.1 General Requirement
A. Any designated public
employee, designated public maintenance person, maintenance worker in
the private sector, teacher and/or parent representative who desires
to be certified as competent in the basic aspects of asbestos
inspections and abatement process evaluations, as defined by the Act,
or to perform spot repairs within the jurisdiction of the applicant's
agency, municipality or building(s) must file an application with the
Department which includes evidence of successful completion of a
certified training course of at least sixteen (16) hours duration
(exclusive of lunch and break times) as outlined in § 1.19.2 of this
Part.
B. Maintenance personnel in
the private sector, including but not limited to plumbers,
electricians and oil burner repairmen, who perform asbestos abatement
activities that are subject to this Part in conjunction with their
primary profession must be certified as a Competent Person for Spot
Repair in accordance with § 1.19.1(A) of this Part.
1.19.2 Content of Competent
Person Training Courses
A. The initial training course
for Competent Person shall consists of at least sixteen (16) hours of
instruction and shall provide, at a minimum, information on the
following topics:
1. The training for
maintenance and custodial employees required by 40 C.F.R. §
763.92(a)(1) and (a)(2) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(J) of
this Part;
2. The requirements,
procedures and standards established by this Part, particularly those
sections dealing with spot repairs (§ 1.15 of this Part) and the
inspection and evaluation criteria for asbestos in public buildings
(§ 1.22 of this Part); and
3. At least four (4) hours of
hands-on instruction in state-of-the-art spot repair techniques.
B. The yearly review course
shall consist of at least eight (8) hours of instruction and shall
provide, at a minimum, information on the following topics:
1. An adequate review of the
topics outlined in § 1.19.2(A) of this Part;
2. Updated information on
state-of-the-art procedures and equipment;
3. Reviews of regulatory
changes and interpretations;
4. Specific topic coverage as
requested by the Department; and
5. At least four (4) hours of
hands-on instruction in state-of-the-art spot repair techniques.
C. Notwithstanding the
requirements of § 1.19.2(B)(5) of this Part above, certified annual
review courses may include a mechanism for trainees to demonstrate
proficiency in the hands-on portion of said course, in lieu of
repeating the four (4) hours of hands-on instruction.
D. Any annual review course
that proposes to include the proficiency test provided for by §
1.19.2(C) of this Part must also submit a detailed description of how
said proficiency test will be administered. This description shall
include, as a minimum, the skills that will be evaluated, the types
of evaluations that will be conducted, the name(s) and qualifications
of the instructor(s) that will conduct the evaluation, the degree of
proficiency that will be necessary to pass this evaluation, and
additional training that will be required before a trainee can be
retested after failing any portion of the evaluation.
1.19.3 Suspension or
Revocation of Competent Person Certification and/or Imposition of
Civil Penalties
A. The Department may suspend
or revoke any Competent Person certification issued under § 1.19 of
this Part for:
1. Failure to maintain
appropriate proficiency in the required areas.
2. Incompetence and/or
negligence.
3. Submitting false
information on an application.
4. Failure to comply with this
Part; or
5. Any good cause within the
meaning and purpose of this Part or the Act.
B. Civil Penalties
Any person certified only for
spot repairs who undertakes any asbestos abatement project larger
than the size limits for a Spot Repair as defined by this Part or who
does not follow the work practices for Spot Repairs contained in §
1.15.2 of this Part shall be subject to a fine of no more than five
hundred dollars ($500) per violation. This provision shall also be
applicable to the employers of said persons.
1.19.4 Expiration of
Certification
A. Unless sooner revoked or
suspended by the Department in accordance with the provisions of §
1.19.3 of this Part, certification as a Competent Person shall expire
one (1) year from the date of the issuance of the certification.
B. Notwithstanding the
requirements of § 1.19.4(A) of this Part, Competent Person
certifications issued prior to 1 August 1990 shall expire on the date
indicated on said certification. However, individuals holding said
Competent Person certifications are subject to the annual review
requirements contained in § 1.19.2(B) of this Part.
1.19.5 Renewal of
Certification
Requests for renewal of
certifications issued under § 1.19 of this Part must contain
evidence that the applicant has successfully completed a certified
annual review course, as described in § 1.19.2(B) of this Part.
1.20 CERTIFICATION OF ASBESTOS
ANALYTICAL SERVICES
1.20.1 General Requirement
Asbestos analytical services
offered for meeting the requirements of this Part must be certified
in accordance with § 1.20 of this Part. Applicants, to obtain
certification for asbestos analytical services, must submit an
application which demonstrates compliance with the requirements of §
1.20 of this Part.
1.20.2 Application for
Certification of Asbestos Analytical Services
A. An applicant for
certification of any asbestos analytical service shall submit the
following information for Department review:
1. The name, address and phone
number of the facility and person in charge;
2. The names, duties and dates
of employment of the personnel who will be performing and/ or
certifying the asbestos analysis;
3. The type(s) of asbestos
analysis for which the person is requesting certification;
4. For analysis of air
samples: Evidence that the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) has rated the applicant's laboratory facility as
"Proficient (P)" in the Proficiency Analytical Testing
(PAT) program's most recent round for asbestos evaluation.
5. For analysis of bulk
asbestos samples: Evidence that the applicant's laboratory facility
is currently accredited for Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) in the
Asbestos Fiber Analysis Program administered by the National
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
6. Evidence that any analyst
who is proposed to certify results of asbestos analysis conducted by
Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and/or Polarized Light Microscopy
(PLM) has successfully completed:
a. A formal course in PCM
and/or PLM analysis of asbestos which is acceptable to the Department
and conducted by a center recognized for training personnel to
perform PCM and/or PLM analysis of asbestos; or
b. An in-house training
program, acceptable to the Department, under the supervision of an
individual who meets the requirements of § 1.20.2(A)(6)(a) of this
Part.
7. A copy of the quality
control procedures for asbestos analysis established by the
applicant's laboratory. If the document is lengthy, a summary of the
essential elements may be submitted.
8. For analysis of asbestos
samples by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): Evidence that the
applicant's laboratory facility is currently accredited for TEM in
the Asbestos Fiber Analysis Program administered by the National
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
9. Evidence that any analyst
who is proposed to certify results of asbestos analysis conducted by
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) has successfully completed:
a. A formal course in TEM
analysis of asbestos which is acceptable to the Department and
conducted by a center recognized for training personnel to perform
TEM analysis of asbestos; or
b. An in-house training
program, acceptable to the Department, under the supervision of an
individual who meets the requirements of § 1.20.2(A)(9)(a) of this
Part.
B. In addition to the
requirements contained in § 1.20.2(A) of this Part, the person shall
also submit:
1. Evidence of licensure as an
analytical laboratory by the Rhode Island Department of Health,
Division of Laboratories or, for facilities located outside of Rhode
Island, evidence of licensure/certification by an equivalent state,
county or municipal agency if said jurisdiction requires
licensure/certification; and
2. Evidence that the facility
has previous experience in successful asbestos analysis utilizing
NIOSH Method 7400 (most current Revision), the EPA Interim Method for
the Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Insulation Samples or
alternative methods acceptable to the Department.
3. Evidence that the facility
has previous experience in successful asbestos analysis utilizing the
method contained in 40 C.F.R. Part 763, Subpart A, Appendix A
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(B) of this Part or alternative
methods acceptable to the Department. [Applicable only to facilities
requesting certification for Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).]
1.20.3 Suspension or
Revocation of Laboratory Certification
A. The Department may suspend
or revoke any laboratory certification issued under § 1.19 of this
Part for:
1. Failure to maintain
proficiency and/or accreditation in the required proficiency testing
programs outlined in §§ 1.20.2(A)(4), (5), and/or (8) of this Part.
2. Submitting false
information on an application.
3. Failure to comply with this
Part.
4. Any good cause within the
meaning and purpose of this Part or the Act; or
5. Failure to perform asbestos
analysis in accordance with prevailing methods of practice.
1.20.4 Asbestos Analytical
Services Fees and Issuance/Renewal of Certificates
A. An application fee as set
forth in the rules and regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure
for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the
Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title) must accompany the
application and shall be in the form of a check made payable to
General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island. This fee is non-refundable
and will not be returned if the application is denied or otherwise
not approved by the Department.
B. Pursuant to the provisions
of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-14(c), the Department shall grant a
certificate to an Asbestos Analytical Service which meets the
certification requirements set forth in this Part, and upon
submission of the certification fee as set forth in the rules and
regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory
and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health
(Part 10-05-2 of this Title). All prospective analysts that meet
Department training requirements will be included on this
certification. Said certificate shall expire one (1) year from the
date of issuance unless sooner suspended or revoked. Said certificate
may be renewed each year in accordance with the provisions of §
1.20.5 of this Part and upon payment of the renewal application and
certification fees as set forth in the rules and regulations
pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and
Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part
10-05-2 of this Title).
C. Amendments to Asbestos
Analytical Service certificates will not be charged a fee.
1.20.5 Renewal of
Certification
Requests for renewal of
certifications issued under § 1.20 of this Part must contain all the
information requested by § 1.20.2 of this Part without reference to
any previously submitted material.
1.21 CERTIFICATION OF CONSULTANTS
1.21.1 General Requirement
Asbestos consultant services
offered for meeting the requirements of this Part must be certified
in accordance with § 1.21 of this Part. Applicants, to obtain
certification for asbestos consultant services, must submit an
application which demonstrates compliance with the requirements of §
1.21 of this Part.
1.21.2 Certification of
Consultants
A. Any individual requesting
certification as an asbestos consultant must submit a completed
application to the Department on forms provided by the Department.
The application shall include all information required by the Act,
this Part, as well as by the form and accompanying instructions. The
appropriate fee(s) required in the rules and regulations pertaining
to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative
Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part 10-05-2 of this
Title) must also be submitted with the application.
B. In addition to the
requirements contained in § 1.21.2(A) of this Part, the individual
shall also submit evidence of competence in the activity being
requested. The following are minimum criteria for establishing
competence in the various activities:
1. Asbestos Inspection
Services. Successful completion of a Department certified training
course covering state-of-the-art techniques in Asbestos Inspection
specified by § 1.18.8(E) of this Part.
2. Asbestos Project Designer
Services. Successful completion of a Department certified training
course covering state-of-the-art techniques in Asbestos Project
Design specified by § 1.18.8(G) of this Part.
3. Asbestos Management Planner
Services. Successful completion of a Department certified training
course covering state-of-the-art techniques in Asbestos Management
Planning specified by § 1.18.8(I) of this Part.
1.21.3 Suspension or
Revocation of Consultant Certification
A. The Department may suspend
or revoke any consultant certification issued under § 1.21 of this
Part for:
1. Failure to maintain
appropriate proficiency in the required areas, including failure to
successfully complete the annual training requirement specified by §
1.21.7 of this Part.
2. Incompetence and/or
negligence.
3. Submitting false
information on an application.
4. Failure to discharge
activities in accordance with statutory and regulatory provisions
contained in this Part.
5. Failure to discharge
activities in a manner consistent with prevailing standards of
practice; or
6. Any good cause within the
meaning and purpose of this Part or the Act.
1.21.4 Asbestos Consultant
Fees and Issuance/Renewal of Certificates
A. Pursuant to the provisions
of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-14(c), the Department shall grant a
certificate to an Asbestos Consultant who meets the certification
requirements set forth in this Part, and upon submission of the
certification fee(s) as set forth in the rules and regulations
pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and
Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health (Part
10-05-2 of this Title), made payable by check to the General
Treasurer, State of Rhode Island. Said certificate shall expire one
(1) year from the date of issuance unless sooner suspended or
revoked. Said certificate may be renewed each year in accordance with
the provisions of § 1.21.5 of this Part, upon documentation of
compliance with the requirements of § 1.21.7 of this Part, and upon
payment of the renewal certification fees as set forth in the rules
and regulations pertaining to the Fee Structure for Licensing,
Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of
Health (Part 10-05-2 of this Title), made payable by check to the
General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island.
B. Waiver of Asbestos
Consultant Fees. Full time employees of a Local Education Agency
(LEA) that maintain Asbestos Inspector or Asbestos Management Planner
certificates solely because of requirements contained in the AHERA
regulations may receive a waiver of application and certification
fees under the following conditions:
1. Each LEA will be limited to
three (3) fee waivers for Asbestos Consultant certificates during any
twelve (12) consecutive month period. An application for
certification as an Asbestos Inspector, Asbestos Management Planner,
or Asbestos Project Designer shall be considered as separate fee
waivers.
2. The applicant's initial or
renewal application must be accompanied by a written statement from
the LEA Superintendent (or equivalent official) that said applicant's
assigned duties require possession of the specified certificate(s).
3. The certificate(s) will
limit authorized activities to those buildings owned by, or under the
direct control of, the LEA, and will terminate before the stated
expiration date if the certificate holder is no longer a full-time
employee of the LEA.
C. Amendments to Asbestos
Consultant certificates will not be charged a fee.
1.21.5 Renewal of
Certification
Requests for renewal of
certifications issued under § 1.21 of this Part must contain all the
information requested by § 1.21.2 of this Part without reference to
any previously submitted material. All applications for renewal of
certification must also include documentation of compliance with the
provisions of § 1.21.7 of this Part regarding successful completion
of required annual review training.
1.21.6 Assessment Criteria
Inspection Services certified
under § 1.21 of this part shall use the assessment criteria
established by § 1.22 of this Part unless the Service is authorized
by the Department, in writing, to utilize other assessment criteria.
1.21.7 Annual Training
Requirement
A. Consultants certified in
accordance with § 1.21 of this Part must successfully complete the
annual training requirements specified below:
1. An individual certified for
Asbestos Inspection Services must successfully complete the certified
annual review course specified by § 1.18.8(F) of this Part.
2. An individual certified for
Asbestos Project Designer Services must successfully complete the
certified annual review course required by § 1.18.8(H) of this Part.
3. An individual certified for
Asbestos Management Planner Services must successfully complete the
certified annual review course required by § 1.18.8(J) of this Part.
1.22 HAZARD ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1.22.1 Inspection of
Buildings
A. General Requirement.
Inspections of buildings for making the following determinations
shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements contained in §
1.22 of this Part: the asbestos content of materials; conducting
information surveys for asbestos containing materials.
B. Establishing the Asbestos.
Content of Materials Bulk sampling of materials suspected of
containing asbestos shall be conducted in accordance with the
procedures contained in § 1.23 of this Part. Analysis of bulk
samples shall be performed by a laboratory certified in accordance
with § 1.20 of this Part.
C. Conducting Information.
Surveys for Asbestos Containing Materials Asbestos inspections for
schools subject to the AHERA regulations shall be in accordance with
40 C.F.R. § 763.85 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(K) of this
Part and 763.86 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(L) of this Part.
In all other cases, information to be collected for the evaluation of
asbestos hazards in buildings shall be conducted on forms required by
the Department.
D. Determining the Degree of
Hazard Posed by Asbestos Containing Materials. The degree of hazard
posed by asbestos containing materials in school buildings subject to
the AHERA regulations shall be evaluated in accordance with 40 C.F.R.
§ 763.88 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(M) of this Part. In all
other cases, the degree of hazard posed by asbestos containing
materials in buildings shall be evaluated using the following
algorithm:
1. Range or Extent of Material
Condition Deterioration/Damage.
a. None: Score 0
b. Moderate/Small Area: Score
2
c. Moderate/Large Area: Score
3
d. Severe/Small Area: Score 4
e. Severe/Large Area: Score 5
f. For the purposes of §§
1.21.1(D)(1)(b) through (e) of this Part:
(1) Moderate means any
uncovered pipe and/or delamination, crack, etc. in a surface that is
basically intact.
(2) Severe means obvious
deterioration or physical separation that is not easily repaired.
(3) Small Area means any area
less than or equal to ten (10) liner feet for pipes or twenty-five
(25) square feet for surfaces other than pipes.
(4) Large Area means any area
greater than ten (10) liner feet for pipes or twenty-five (25) square
feet for surfaces other than pipes.
2. Material Condition Rating.
a. Water Damage:
(1) None: Score 0
(2) Damage over Small Area or
No Damage but with flat roof immediately overhead: Score 1
(3) Damage over Small Area
with flat roof immediately overhead or Damage to Large area
regardless of roof type: Score 2
b. Exposed Surface Area
(1) Not exposed (i.e. located
above suspended ceiling and/or not visible without removing panels or
ceiling sections: Score 0
(2) 10% or less of the
material is exposed: Score 1
(3) 10%-100% of the material
is exposed: Score 4
3. Accessibility.
a. Not accessible: Score 0
b. Low (access requires
removal of temporary barrier such as drop-ceiling: Score 1
c. Low-Moderate (accessible
only with devices or equipment not common to the area: Score 2
d. Moderate (accessible only
with devices or equipment common to the area: Score 3
e. High (accessible with no
additional devices or equipment: Score 4
4. Activity and Movement.
a. None or Low (sedentary
activities only): Score 0
b. Moderate (ordinary
movement, more walking than sitting): Score 1
c. High (elevated levels of
physical activity such as running, jumping, or manual labor): Score 2
5. Air Plenum or Direct Air
Stream.
a. None: Score 0
b. Present: Score 1
6. Friability.
a. Not Friable: Score .1
b. Potentially Friable
(difficult but possible to damage by hand and/or material that has
been properly encapsulated or enclosed): Score 1
c. Moderately Friable (easy to
dislodge and crush): Score 2
d. Highly Friable (fluffy,
spongy, or flaking and/or pieces hanging and/or falls apart when
touched): Score 3
7. Asbestos Content.
a. Trace to <1%: Score 0
b. 1% to 50%: Score 2
c. 50% to 100%: Score 3
8. Occupancy and Use.
a. Low Priority Buildings:
Score 0
b. Low Priority Areas: Score 0
c. Restricted Use Areas: Score
0
d. High Priority Areas of
Intermediate Priority Buildings: Score 8
e. High Priority Areas of High
Priority Buildings: Score 12
9. Total Degree of Hazard
shall equal the sum of the scores for §§ 1.21.1(D)(1) through (5)
of this Part, multiplied by the score for § 1.21.1(D)(6) of this
Part, multiplied by the score for § 1.21.1(7) of this Part, plus the
score for § 1.21.1(D)(8) of this Part.
10. Notwithstanding the
requirements of §§ 1.22.1(C) and 1.22.1(D) of this Part,
assessments of schools shall also be conducted in accordance with §
1.22.1(D) of this Part for determining eligibility for funding in
accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-24.5-19 and regulations adopted
thereunder.
1.22.2 Development of
Asbestos Abatement Remedies
A. General Requirement
1. Areas of buildings
receiving a score greater than zero from the hazard assessment
conducted in accordance with § 1.22.1(D) of this Part will require
some type of asbestos abatement (management) plan. This asbestos
abatement plan must be developed by the building owner in accordance
with § 1.17 of this Part and submitted for Department review.
2. Decisions regarding the
abatement remedies that may be proposed to the Department as part of
an asbestos abatement plan are the responsibility of the building
owner. These strategies may range from simple operations and
maintenance plans to complete removal. The remedies proposed in the
asbestos abatement plan will be governed by the nature and extent of
the hazards that have been identified, as reflected by the numerical
score determined in accordance with § 1.22.1(D) of this Part. The
acceptability of proposed abatement remedies will be reviewed by the
Department during the plan approval process in accordance with §
1.17 of this Part.
1.22.3 Reinspection of
Schools and School Buildings
General Requirement. All
schools and school buildings, as defined by the AHERA regulations,
must have all friable and nonfriable known or assumed ACM reinspected
at least once every three (3) years in accordance with 40 C.F.R. §
763.85(b) incorporated by reference at § 1.2(K) of this Part.
1.23 SAMPLING PROTOCOL FOR HAZARD
ASSESSMENT
A. Number of Samples. Samples
of suspect asbestos containing materials must be taken for laboratory
analysis. The number of samples to be taken is dependent upon the
type of material to be sampled.
1. Friable or Potentially
Friable Surfacing Material A consultant certified for Asbestos
Inspection Services in accordance with § 1.21.2(B)(5) of this Part
or a Competent Person certified in accordance with § 1.19 of this
Part shall collect bulk samples, in a statistically random manner
that is representative of each homogeneous area, as follows:
a. At least three (3) bulk
samples from each homogeneous area that is one thousand (1000) square
feet or less, except as provided in §§ 1.23(A)(1)(d) and (e) of
this Part.
b. At least five (5) bulk
samples from each homogeneous area that is greater than one thousand
(1000) square feet but less than five thousand (5000) square feet,
except as provided in §§ 1.23(A)(1)(d) and (e) of this Part.
c. At least seven (7) bulk
samples from each homogeneous area that is greater than five thousand
(5000) square feet, except as provided in §§ 1.23(A)(1)(d) and (e)
of this Part.
d. A homogeneous area shall be
determined to contain ACM based on a finding that the results of at
least one (1) sample collected from that area shows that asbestos is
present in an amount greater than one percent (1%).
e. A homogeneous area is
considered not to contain ACM only if the results of all samples
required to be collected from that area show asbestos in amounts of
one percent (1%) or less.
2. Thermal System Insulation.
A consultant certified for Asbestos Inspection Services in accordance
with § 1.21.2(B)(5) of this Part or a Competent Person certified in
accordance with § 1.19 of this Part shall collect bulk samples, in a
statistically random manner that is representative of each
homogeneous area, as follows:
a. At least three (3) bulk
samples from each homogeneous area that is damaged, except as
provided in §§ 1.22(A)(1)(d) and (e) of this Part.
b. At least one (1) bulk
sample from each homogeneous area of patched thermal system
insulation if the patched section is less than six (6) linear or
square feet, except as provided in in §§ 1.23(A)(1)(d) and (e) of
this Part.
c. In a manner sufficient to
determine whether the material is ACM or not ACM, collect bulk
samples from each insulated mechanical system where cement is used on
tees, elbows or valves, except as provided in §§ 1.23(A)(1)(d) and
(e) of this Part.
3. Miscellaneous and
Non-Friable Material
A consultant certified for
Asbestos Inspection Services in accordance with § 1.21(B)(5) of this
Part or a Competent Person certified in accordance with § 1.19 of
this Part shall collect bulk samples from each homogeneous area in a
manner sufficient to determine whether the material is ACM or not
ACM, except as provided in in §§ 1.23(A)(1)(d) and (e) of this
Part.
4. Homogeneous Areas Assumed
to Contain ACM
Notwithstanding the
requirements of §§ 1.23(A)(1), (2), and (3) of this Part above, any
homogeneous area that is assumed to be ACM in accordance with 40
C.F.R. §§ 763.85(a)(4)(iii) and (iv) incorporated by reference at §
1.2(K) of this Part does not have to be sampled if the remaining
elements of the assessment required by 40 C.F.R. § 763.85(a)(4)(v)
incorporated by reference at § 1.2(K) of this Part and/or § 1.22 of
this Part are completed.
B. Sampling Procedures
1. Materials
a. Clean, dry small jar (35 mm
film canister or small, wide-mouthed glass jar) with screw-on lid
b. Knife (optional)
c. Core borer (optional)
d. Half-face cartridge
respirator with two screw-in canisters; NIOSH approval number
TC-23C-153 (Mine Safety Appliance chemical cartridge: approved for
organic volatiles, chlorine, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride;
with dust, fume, mist (high efficiency) filter.
2. Sampling Methods
a. The material should be
sampled when the area is not in use.
b. Only those persons needed
for sampling should be present.
c. The sampler should wear an
approved respirator.
d. The material to be sampled
should be lightly misted with water to minimize fiber release.
e. Gently twist the open end
of the container into the material, penetrating the depth of the
material until material falls into the container. Use a knife or core
borer to take the sample of cementitious materials and then empty the
material into the container.
f. Close the container tightly
and wipe off the exterior with a damp cloth. Tape the lid to prevent
accidental opening during shipment or handling.
g. Label the sample container
with a unique identification number, the name of the building,
initials of the person who sampled, and the date of sample
collection.
h. Make a record of each
sample by noting the date the sample was taken, location of material
sampled (including room or area), and the sample ID number.
i. Wet mop or wipe-up with a
wet cloth any material which may have fallen on the floor.
j. Spray the area sampled with
a clear shellac, varnish or similar material to minimize the
potential for fiber release.
k. Clean the knife or core
borer, if used, with water.
l. Submit samples to a
laboratory certified by the Department to analyze asbestos.
m. Request that results be
reported as type and percent asbestos by a method capable of
determining asbestos content with a minimum detection level of 1% by
weight.
1.24 NESHAP REQUIREMENTS
Federal facilities and such
other persons who are not otherwise subject to these regulations
shall comply with EPA's NESHAP requirements, 40 C.F.R. § 61, Subpart
M incorporated by reference at § 1.2(N) of this Part.