Legal Requirements For Asbestos Removal

Regulations: The EPA, OSHA, and AHERA have established several regulations concerning asbestos management. EPA NESHAP regulates safety for construction activities involving asbestos abatement and demolition tasks.

OSHA Standards: OSHA protects workers by providing exposure limits, training, and enforcing the use of proper protective equipment.

AHERA: AHERA requires asbestos inspections and management plans in schools.

State licensing: Many states have licensing requirements for asbestos inspectors and licensed abatement contractors, but the rules differ from state to state. Importantly, always verify the asbestos removal requirements in your local area.

Notification: Notification protocols, projects that involve asbestos will require a notification to the state or local agency about 10 days in advance of the start of projects involving asbestos, because NESHAP requires the notification to ensure compliance with proper planning and safety of disposal.

Penalties: Potentially ever-increasing risk from liability, like non-compliance fines that can lead to significant monetary penalties and prosecution.

Initial Asbestos Assessment

There was a safety or legal need for all buildings or structures to undergo asbestos inspection before their demolition or alteration.

Usually, the initial inspection would be the Visual type.

Special attention is paid by the asbestos-certified inspector to ACS, or asbestos-containing materials.

Depending on the air of existence, usual ACMs can be put on insulation materials, floor and ceiling tiles, roofing shingles, and pipe coverings of each building erected before 1980.

In some cases, the inspector identifies the materials used for an ACM just by observing the materials, their age, and their condition; in other cases, samples of the suspect materials are taken in such a way as to prevent the escape of fibers.

Only persons trained and certified to perform this work should be made aware of the proper handling of ACMs from a strict health-only standpoint.

Hiring A Licensed Asbestos Contractor

• Contractor licensing: Require a contractor to be issued a license for asbestos abatements from your state.


• Certification: Specify that all workers must be trained and certified according to OSHA and EPA regulations.


• Insurance: Ask for Certificates of Insurance, which specify coverage of general liability and compensation for workers.


• Asbestos Removal: The contractor shall prepare a written removal plan detailing all procedures, precautions, and cleanup measures.


• Costs: Demand to have a detailed written estimate covering all aspects of laboratory testing, removal, disposal, and clean-up.


• References and Reviews: Go online and check for reviews or references of clients.


• Permits: Before the work commences, ensure that all local or federal permits have been attained.

Site Preparation

• Seal off the asbestos contamination areas with a heavy-duty plastic sheet and duct tape to make it a containment.


• Turn off the HVAC and ensure that the vents are closed to carry away the airborne fibers through air circulation.


• Ensure HEPA bowl filters in a negative air pressure set-up blow air into the work zone so contaminated air does not go out.


• Put warning signs at all entrance points so that those who come in will be warned of an asbestos hazard.


• Only the restricted approach is allowed for the trained and authorized individuals, entering there with all protective gear.


• Make sure that decontamination zones for safe entry and exit have been established.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Wear disposable coveralls to avoid asbestos fibers adhering to clothing and contaminating areas outside of where work is done.


• Wear nitrile or rubber gloves to protect the hands from movement through the material, so that only the glove contacts with the material.


• Disposable boot covers can be used to cover and protect shoes and to avoid contaminating and tracking out hazardous asbestos particles


• Wear a certified NIOSH respirator, preferably P100 or HEPA filtered. It will reduce the inhalation of asbestos fibers.


• Check the fit, seal, and condition of respirators before use to ensure a proper fit.


• Disposable PPE does not get reused.


• Available to dispose of PPE in the labeled, sealed asbestos waste bags in compliance with federal law (EPA & OSHA).

Safe Removal Procedure

• Before and throughout the process of asbestos removal, thoroughly wet asbestos materials to prevent the release of airborne fibers.


• Do not dry sweep from an area, nor vacuum with a household vacuum; use only HEPA-filtered vacuums.


• Use hand-held tools as much as possible to generate less dust.


• Work in small sections and carefully consider how to tap and break materials to minimize breakage.


• Double-bag, clearly marked, leak-tight containers approved for the storage of hazardous materials.


• Clean work surfaces frequently with damp rags and mops.


• Decontaminate the worker and the tools before leaving for the day.


• Discharge all materials as hazardous waste at hazardous waste facilities permitted for the disposal of asbestos materials by local and federal regulations.

Waste Disposal Guidelines

• Be aware and comply with all EPA regulations and state/local laws for the disposal of asbestos and asbestos waste.


• Only licensed workers should manage asbestos waste.


• Utilize leak-tight containers or double-sealed plastic bags labeled "Asbestos Waste."


• Clearly label all bags with harm warnings before asbestos removal from the site.


• Never mix debris containing asbestos with construction debris.


• Deliver waste to a facility approved by the EPA and provide proper documentation to the waste management company you are working with.


• Establish a chain of custody for all asbestos waste you transport.


• Retain the documentation and receipts from the disposal of asbestos waste. The need for you to keep a copy is for regulatory compliance and to keep documentation.

Final Clean-up

• All surfaces should be cleared of fine asbestos dust by the use of HEPA vacuums.


• Conduct wet cleaning of walls, floors, and tools to collect the rest of the particles.


• Re-check ant corners, crevices, and ventilation spaces where debris hiding places can be found.


• Discard old rags, filters, and cleaning materials into approved asbestos waste bags.


• Check the whole worksite and make it clean, and all the evident asbestos-containing waste should be cleared.


• Carry out an air test to ensure that the amount of fibers is not above the safety level, particularly in the occupied buildings.


• Reentry should only be permitted when clearance levels have been established by a certified professional.

Clearance And Documentation

• Final Air Clearance Testing: Employ the services of an accredited technician to monitor the air once the asbestos has been removed to ensure that the fibers are in safe quantities.


• Gain a Clearance Certificate: A licensed inspector or environmental consultant should be able to issue an official clearance certificate after the area has passed the inspection.


• Documentation: Maintain all the records of testing and clearance, as well as the disposal of asbestos waste, to be recalled in the future and to comply with regulations.


• Provide Contractor Reports: Document work reports of the asbestos contractor, methods of work, and safety precautions.


• Make Sure Compliance: These records demonstrate that the asbestos removal was done under EPA and local standards.