Virginia Law

A. An initial supervisor training program must last a minimum of five days. The supervisor training program must include lectures; demonstrations; at least 14 hours of hands-on training, which must permit supervisors to have actual experience performing tasks associated with asbestos abatement; a training program review; and an examination.

B. The supervisor training program must 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 and 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 proper selection, inspection, donning, use, maintenance, and storage procedures.

c. Methods for field testing of the facepiece-to-face seal (e.g., 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).

g. The components of a proper respiratory protection program.

h. Selection and use of personal protective clothing and 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, must also be included.

7. Additional safety hazards.

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

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 Title II (§ 2641 et seq.) of the Toxic Substance Control Act (15 USC § 2601 et seq.);

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, 9VAC20-81-620; and

g. Department of Transportation regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart H) 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.

C. Upon completion of the supervisor training program, the training program must administer a closed-book examination. Each examination must cover the topics required by this section.

1. Each examination must have 100 multiple choice questions.

2. The passing score on the examination must be 70%.