N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 §§ 56-8.2

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 50, December 11, 2024

Section 56-8.2 - Access to and maintenance of decontamination systems and regulated abatement work area enclosures

(a) Access. Entry to the personal and waste decontamination system enclosures shall be restricted to the asbestos contractors involved with the asbestos project, appropriately certified employees of the asbestos contractors, authorized visitors, police, fire and other public safety personnel.

(b) Waiting periods. Prior to beginning Phase II B asbestos abatement work and upon completion of the construction of all small and large size regulated abatement work area enclosures and decontamination system enclosures, including establishment of the negative air system, a four hour waiting period with negative air units operating shall be required to insure that all barriers shall remain intact and secured to the walls, ceilings, floors and fixtures.

(c) Waiting period exemption. The four hour waiting period may be eliminated for exterior work where negative air is not required.

(d) Inspection of barriers. All barriers shall be inspected by the asbestos supervisor at least twice daily, before the start of and following the completion of the day's abatement activities. Inspections are also required on days when there is no Phase II work or support activities scheduled. Inspections and observations shall be documented by the asbestos abatement contractor's supervisor in a daily project log.

(e) Repairs to barriers and enclosures. Damage and defects in the barriers and enclosures shall be repaired immediately upon discovery and shall be documented by the asbestos abatement contractor's supervisor in a daily project log, prior to resumption of abatement activities.

(f) Testing of barriers and enclosures. Smoke tube testing to ensure the effectiveness of all isolation barriers, personal decontamination system enclosures, waste decontamination system enclosures and regulated abatement work area enclosures shall be performed prior to the beginning of abatement activities and at least once a day thereafter until satisfactory clearance air sampling results have been obtained. Negative air pressure ventilation units shall be in operation during this testing. Testing of barriers and enclosures is not required on days when there are no Phase II B or cleaning activities scheduled. Test results, observations and any modifications shall be documented by the asbestos abatement contractor's supervisor in a daily project log.

(g) Loss of enclosure integrity. If visible emissions or water leaks are observed outside of the regulated abatement work area, or if a glovebag, tent or enclosure of any type fails or loses its integrity, work shall be stopped and the following procedures shall be followed:

(1) Isolation and critical barrier construction. Isolation and critical barriers shall be constructed as follows:

(i) Isolate HVAC systems. The HVAC systems shall be shut down immediately and all openings shall be sealed with at least six mil fire-retardant plastic sheeting and duct tape.

(ii) Isolate uncontaminated areas. Passageways to uncontaminated areas of the building or structure shall be sealed with at least six mil fire-retardant plastic sheeting and duct tape.

(iii) Install critical barriers. Critical barriers within 25 feet of the regulated abatement work area shall be installed as per section 56-7.11 of this Part.

(2) Negative air pressure equipment ventilation. Negative air pressure equipment ventilation that complies with section 56-7.8 of this Part shall be installed and utilized.

(3) Cleanup. Cleanup shall be accomplished as follows:

(i) Method, tools and equipment. All accumulations of asbestos waste material shall be containerized and removed. Non-metal shovels and HEPA-vacuums may be used to pick up or move waste except in the vicinity of isolation barriers which might be breached. The areas around isolation barriers shall be cleaned utilizing rubber or plastic dustpans, squeegees or shovels. HEPA-vacuums shall be used to clean all surfaces after gross cleanup.

(ii) Cleanup of surfaces. All surfaces in the regulated abatement work area shall be wet-cleaned using rags, mops and sponges.

(iii) Second cleaning. After the first cleaning, at least 12 hours shall be allowed for asbestos to settle. Thereafter, all objects and surfaces in the regulated abatement work area shall be HEPA-vacuumed and wet-cleaned. All windows, doors, HVAC system vents and all other openings shall remain sealed.

(4) Removal of contaminated equipment and waste. All remaining contaminated equipment and containerized waste shall be removed from the regulated abatement work area.

(5) Clearance air sampling. Clearance air sampling shall be conducted, as per the schedule for air sampling and analysis.

(6) Isolation barrier removal. Isolation barriers shall be removed only after satisfactory clearance air sampling results have been achieved.

(h) Daily cleaning of enclosures. The asbestos abatement contractor shall HEPA-vacuum or wet-clean the waste decontamination system enclosures, the personal decontamination system enclosures, and airlocks when remote decontamination units are used, daily during Phase II A through C abatement activities. This cleaning shall take place at the end of each work shift and the asbestos abatement contractor's supervisor shall document it in the daily project log.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 §§ 56-8.2