The three-day program will include lectures, demonstrations, four hours of hands-on training, individual respirator fit testing, course review, and a written examination.
Hands-on training includes conducting a simulated building walk-through inspection and respirator fit testing
Background Information on Asbestos
Identification of asbestos; examples and discussion of the uses and locations of asbestos in buildings; physical appearance of asbestos.
Potential Health Effects Related to Asbestos Exposure
The nature of asbestos-related diseases; routes of exposure; dose-response relationships and the lack of a safe exposure level; the synergistic effect between cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure; the latency period for asbestos-related diseases; a discussion of the relationship of asbestos exposure to asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer of other organs.
Functions/Qualifications and Role of Inspectors
Discussions of prior experience and qualifications for inspectors and management planners; discussions of the functions of an accredited inspector as compared to those of an accredited management planner; discussion of the inspection process including inventory of ACM and physical assessment.
Legal Liabilities and Defenses
Responsibilities of the inspector and management planner; a discussion of comprehensive general liability policies, claims made and occurrence policies, environmental and pollution liability policy clauses; state liability insurance requirements; bonding and the relationship of insurance availability to bond availability.
Understanding Building Systems
The interrelationship between building systems, including an overview of common building physical plant layouts; heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system types-physical organization and where asbestos is found on HVAC components; building mechanical systems, their types and organization, and where to look for asbestos on such systems; inspecting electrical systems, including appropriate safety precautions; reading blueprints and as-built drawings.
Public/Employee/Building Occupant Relations
Notifying employee organizations about the inspection; signs to warn building occupants; tact in dealing with occupants and the press; scheduling of inspections to minimize disruption; and education of building occupants about actions being taken.
Pre-Inspection Planning and Review of Previous Inspection Records
Scheduling the inspection and obtaining access; building record review; identification of probable homogeneous areas from blueprints or as-built drawings; consultation with maintenance or building personnel; review of previous inspection, sampling, and abatement records of a building; the role of the inspector in exclusions for previously performed inspections.
Inspecting for Friable and Nonfriable Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) and Assessing the Condition of Friable ACM
Procedures to follow in conducting visual inspections for friable and nonfriable ACM; types of building materials that may contain asbestos; touching materials to determine friability; open return air plenums and their importance in HVAC systems; assessing damage, significant damage, potential damage, and potential significant damage; amount of suspected ACM, both in total quantity and as a percentage of the total area; type of damage; accessibility; material’s potential for disturbance; known or suspected causes of damage or significant damage; deterioration algorithm methods as assessment factors.
Bulk Sampling/Documentation of Asbestos in Buildings
Detailed discussion of the “Simplified Sampling Scheme for Friable Surfacing Materials (EPA 560/585-030a October 1985)”; techniques to ensure that sampling is randomly distributed for other than friable surfacing materials; sampling of nonfriable materials; techniques for bulk sampling; sampling equipment the inspector should use; additional sampling requirements and chain-of-custody forms if litigation is anticipated; patching or repair of damage done in sampling; an inspector’s repair kit; discussion of polarized light microscopy; choosing an accredited laboratory to analyze bulk samples; quality control and quality assurance procedures. EPA recommends that all bulk samples collected from school or public and commercial buildings be analyzed by a laboratory accredited under the NVLAP (National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program) administered by NIST (National Institute of Standards Technology).
Inspector Respiratory Protection and Personal Protective Equipment
Classes and characteristics of respirator types; limitations of respirators; proper selection, inspection, donning, use, maintenance, and storage procedures for respirators; methods for field testing of the facepiece-to-mouth seal (positive and negative pressure fitting tests); qualitative and quantitative fit testing procedures and their applicability; 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; and use, storage, and handling of non-disposable clothing.
Recordkeeping and Writing the Inspection Report
Labeling of samples and keying sample identification to sampling location; recommendations on sample labeling; detailing of ACM inventory; photographs of selected sampling areas and examples of ACM condition; information required for inclusion in the management plan by LAC 33:III.2723.
Regulatory Review
EPA Worker Protection Rule in 40 CFR 763, Subpart G, TSCA Title II; OSHA Asbestos Construction Standard 29 CFR 1926.58; OSHA respirator requirements found at 29 CFR 1910.134; the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools and State Buildings Regulation found at LAC 33:III.Chapter 27; LAC 33:III.Chapter 51.Subchapter M; and differences in federal/state requirements where they apply and the effects, if any, on public and nonpublic schools, state and commercial or public buildings.
Field Trip
Inclusion of a field exercise including a walk-through inspection; on-site discussion on information gathering and determination of sampling locations; on-site practice in physical assessment; classroom discussion of field exercise.
Course Review
Review of key aspects of the training course