Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 391-3-14-.06

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through October 17, 2024

Rule 391-3-14-.06 - Asbestos Abatement Training Criteria

(1) Contractors and supervisors must have completed initial and annual update courses approved by the Director in supervision of asbestos abatement projects and have satisfactorily completed an examination with a passing grade of at least 70 percent. To be approved, the training shall meet or exceed the following criteria:

(a) The initial training course shall consist of 32 hours or more, and provided, 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. Employee 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 face piece-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, procedures and requirements of 29 CFR 1926.58 and 29 CFR 1910.134, benefits of medical monitoring and employee access to records;

4. Air monitoring procedures and requirements included under 29 CFR 1926.58 including a description of equipment and methods, reasons for air monitoring, types of samples and current standards with proposed changes;

5. 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 of minimizing fiber release, use of wet methods and surfactants, use of negative pressure ventilation equipment, use of HEPA vacuums and proper clean-up disposal procedures. Work practice requirements as they apply to removal, encapsulation, enclosure and repair shall be discussed individually;

6. 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;

7. Additional safety hazards that may be encountered during abatement activities and how to deal with them including electrical hazards, heats stress, air contaminants other than asbestos, fire and explosion hazards, scaffold and ladder hazards, slips, trips and falls confined spaces and noise; and

8. The requirements, procedures and standards established by:

(i)40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M; and

(ii)40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E.

(b) The annual update course shall consists of 8 hours or more and at a minimum. adequately review the topics in subsection (a), update information on state-of-the-art procedures and equipment and review regulatory changes and interpretations. Such training shall have been completed within 12 months of completion of previous training.

2. Approval of initial and update courses.

(a) Any person responsible for conducting asbestos abatement training and examination who has received approval from the State of Georgia for such training and examination prior to April 1, 1996 shall be considered to have approval from the Director under these Rules and Regulations.

(b) After April 1, 1996, persons responsible for conducting asbestos abatement training and examination shall submit adequate documentation of the course content and coverage, as well as examination practices, top enable the Director to determine that the course meets the requirements of their Rule. Approval will be granted by a letter from the Director, with any conditions or term limits deemed appropriate by the Director.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-14-.06

The Georgia Asbestos Safety Act, O.C.G.A. Sec. 12-12-1et seq.

Original Rule entitled "Asbestos Abatement Training Criteria" adopted. F. Jun 3, 1996; eff. June 23, 1996.