Virginia Law

Asbestos inspectors shall complete a three-day (24 hours) training program as outlined below. The training program shall include lectures, demonstrations, four hours of hands-on training, training program review and a written examination. The accredited asbestos inspector training program shall address the following topics:

1. Training program overview.

a. The role of the inspector in the asbestos abatement industry.

b. A discussion of inspection requirements and criteria for AHERA, NESHAP and state agencies.

2. Background information on asbestos.

a. Identification of asbestos, and examples and discussion of the uses and locations of asbestos in buildings.

b. Physical appearance of asbestos.

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. The synergism between cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure.

d. Latency period for asbestos-related diseases, a discussion of the relationship of asbestos exposure to asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and cancer of other organs.

4. Functions/qualifications for inspectors.

a. Discussions of prior experience and qualifications for inspectors and management planners.

b. Discussions of the functions of an accredited inspector as compared to those of an accredited management planner.

c. Discussion of the inspection process including inventory of ACM and physical assessment.

5. Legal liabilities and defenses.

a. Responsibilities of the inspector, a discussion of comprehensive general liability policies, claims made and occurrence policies, environment and pollution liability policy clauses; state liability insurance requirements.

b. Bonding and relationship of insurance availability to bond availability.

6. Understanding building systems.

a. The relationship between building systems, including: an overview of common building physical plan layout; heat, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system types; physical organization; and where asbestos is found on HVAC components.

b. Building mechanical systems, their types and organization and where to look for asbestos on such systems.

c. Inspecting electrical systems, including appropriate safety precautions.

d. Reading building plans and as-built drawings.

7. Public/employee/building occupant relations.

a. Notification of employee organizations about the inspection.

b. Signs to warn building occupants.

c. Tactics in dealing with occupants and the press.

d. Scheduling inspections to minimize disruptions.

e. Education of building occupants about actions being taken.

8. Preinspection planning and review of previous inspection records.

a. Scheduling the inspection and obtaining access.

b. Building record review; identification of probable homogeneous areas from building plans or as-built drawings.

c. Consultation with maintenance or building personnel.

d. Review of previous inspection, sampling, and abatement records of a building.

e. The role of the inspector in exclusions for previously performed inspections.

9. Inspection for friable and nonfriable ACM and assessment of the condition of friable ACM.

a. Procedures to follow in conducting visual inspections for friable and nonfriable ACM.

b. Types of building materials that may contain asbestos.

c. Touching materials to determine friability.

d. Open return air plenums and their importance in HVAC systems.

e. Assessing damage, significant damage, potential damage, and potential significant damage.

f. Amount of suspected ACM, both in total quantity and as a percentage of the total area.

g. Type of damage.

h. Accessibility.

i. Material's potential for disturbance.

j. Known or suspected causes of damage or significant damage, and deterioration as assessment factors.

10. Bulk sampling/documentation of asbestos in schools.

a. Detailed discussion of the "Simplified Sampling Scheme for Friable Surfacing Materials" (EPA 560/5-85-030a October 1985).

b. Techniques to ensure sampling in a randomly distributed manner for other than friable surfacing materials.

c. Techniques for bulk sampling.

d. Sampling equipment the inspector should use.

e. Patching or repair of damage done in sampling; an inspector's repair kit.

f. Discussion of polarized light microscopy.

g. Choosing an accredited laboratory to analyze bulk samples.

h. Quality control and quality assurance procedures.

11. Inspector respiratory protection and equipment.

a. Classes and characteristics of respirator types.

b. Limitations of respirators.

c. Selection, inspection, donning, use, maintenance, and storage procedures for respirators.

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

i. Use, storage, and handling of nondisposable clothing.

12. Recordkeeping and writing the inspection report.

a. Labeling of samples and keying sample identification to sampling location.

b. Recommendations on sample labeling.

c. Detailing of ACM inventory.

d. Photographs of selected sampling areas and examples of ACM condition.

e. Information required for inclusion in the management plan by TSCA Title II section 203 (i)(1).

13. Regulatory review.

a. EPA Worker Protection Rule found at 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart G.

b. TSCA Title II.

c. OSHA Asbestos Construction Standard (29 CFR 1926.1101).

d. OSHA respirator requirements (29 CFR 1910.134).

e. The friable ACM in Schools Rule found at 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart F.

f. Applicable state and local regulations.

g. Differences in federal and state requirements where they apply and the effects, if any, on public and nonpublic schools, and commercial and public buildings.

14. Field trip.

a. Field exercise with a walk-through inspection.

b. On-site discussion of information gathering and determination of sampling locations.

c. On-site practice in physical assessment.

d. Classroom discussion of field exercise.

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