Virginia Law

Asbestos abatement supervisors shall complete a five-day (40 hours) training program as outlined below. The training program shall include lectures, demonstrations, training program review, examination, and at least 14 hours of hands-on training which allows supervisors the experience of performing actual tasks associated with asbestos abatement. The accredited asbestos supervisor training program shall address the following topics:

1. The role of the supervisor in the asbestos abatement process.

2. The physical characteristics of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.

a. Identification of asbestos.

b. Aerodynamic characteristics.

c. Typical uses, physical appearance.

d. A review of hazard assessment considerations.

e. A summary of abatement control options.

3. Potential health effects related to asbestos exposure.

a. The nature of asbestos-related diseases.

b. Routes of exposure, dose-response relationships and the lack of a safe exposure level.

c. Synergism between cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure.

d. Latency period for disease.

4. Employee personal protective equipment.

a. Classes and characteristics of respirator types.

b. Limitations of respirators and their proper selection, inspection, donning, use, maintenance and storage procedures.

c. Methods for field testing of the facepiece-to-face seal (positive and negative pressure fitting tests).

d. Qualitative and quantitative fit testing procedures.

e. Variability between field and laboratory protection factors.

f. Factors that alter respirator fit (e.g., facial hair, dental work, weight loss or gain).

g. The components of a proper respiratory protection program.

h. Selection and use of personal protective clothing; use, storage and handling of nondisposable clothing.

i. Regulations covering personal protective equipment.

5. State-of-the-art work practices.

a. Work practices for asbestos abatement activities including descriptions of proper construction and maintenance of barriers and decontamination enclosure systems.

b. Positioning of warning signs.

c. Electrical and ventilation system lock-out.

d. Working techniques for minimizing fiber release, use of wet methods, use of negative pressure ventilation equipment, and use of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums.

e. Clean-up and disposal procedures.

f. Work practices for removal, encapsulation, encasement, enclosure and repair.

g. Emergency procedures for sudden releases.

h. Potential exposure situations.

i. Transport and disposal procedures.

j. Recommended and prohibited work practices.

k. Discussion of new abatement related techniques and methodologies.

6. Personal hygiene.

a. Entry and exit procedures for the work area; use of showers; and avoidance of eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing (gum or tobacco) in the work area.

b. Potential exposures, such as family exposure, shall also be included.

7. Additional safety hazards.

a. Hazards encountered during abatement activities and how to deal with them, including electrical hazards, heat stress, air contaminants other than asbestos, fire and explosion hazards.

b. Scaffold and ladder hazards.

c. Slips, trips and falls.

d. Confined spaces.

8. Medical monitoring. OSHA requirements for a pulmonary function test, chest X-rays and a medical history for each employee.

9. Air monitoring.

a. Procedures to determine airborne concentration of asbestos fibers, including a description of aggressive sampling, sampling equipment and methods.

b. Reasons for air monitoring.

c. Types of samples and interpretation of results, specifically from analysis performed by polarized light, phase-contrast, and electron microscopy analyses.

10. Relevant federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, procedures and standards including:

a. Requirements of TSCA Title II;

b. 40 CFR Part 61, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, Subparts A (General Provisions) and M (National Emission Standards for Asbestos);

c. OSHA Standards for Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134);

d. OSHA Asbestos Construction Standard (29 CFR 1926.1101);

e. EPA Worker Protection Rule, 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart G;

f. Requirements for Asbestos-Containing Waste Materials, 9VAC20-80-640; and

g. 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart H, Department of Transportation regulations covering packaging, proper marking of shipping containers and shipping papers.

11. A review of NESHAP Guidance Documents.

a. Common Questions on the Asbestos NESHAP.

b. Asbestos NESHAP: Regulated Asbestos Containing Materials Guidance (EPA 340/1-90-018).

c. Asbestos NESHAP: Adequately Wet Guidance (EPA 340/1-90-019).

d. Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements for Waste Disposal: A Field Guide (EPA 340/1-90-016).

12. Respiratory protection programs and medical surveillance programs.

13. Insurance and liability issues.

a. Contractor issues, workers' compensation coverage, and exclusions.

b. Third-party liabilities and defenses.

c. Insurance coverage and exclusions.

14. Recordkeeping for asbestos abatement projects:

a. Records required by federal, state, and local regulations.

b. Records recommended for legal and insurance purposes.

15. Supervisory techniques for asbestos abatement activities. Supervisory practices to enforce and reinforce the required work practices and to discourage unsafe work practices.

16. Contract specifications. Discussions of key elements that are included in contract specifications.

17. Training program review. A review of key aspects of the accredited asbestos training program.