In order for a contractor to be licensed or asbestos foreman to be certified, the applicant must have completed an approved course 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) An initial training course of 32 hours or more to have been attended within 48 months prior to submittal of application;
(b) A review and update course of 8 hours or more taken within 12 months prior to submittal of renewal application (for renewals only);
(c) The initial training course shall provide, 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 facepiece-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 including under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.58 and 29 CFR 1910.134, additional recommended procedures and tests, benefits of medical monitoring and employee access to records;
4. Air monitoring procedures and requirements included under OSHA 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 for minimizing fiber release, use of wet methods and surfactants, use of negative pressure ventilation equipment, use of HEPA vacuums and proper clean-up and 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, heat stress, air contaminants other than asbestos, fire and explosion hazards, scaffold and ladder hazards, slips, trips and falls, confined spaces and noise.
(d) The requirements, procedures and standards established by:
1. EPA 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M; EPA 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart G;
2. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.58 and 29 CFR 1910.134;
3. Division and/or Asbestos Licensing Board.
(e) The yearly review and update course shall be 8 hours and at a minimum, adequately review the topics in 52-4-.01(c), update information on state-of-the-art procedures and equipment and review regulatory changes and interpretations. Specific topic coverage may be requested by the Board.
(f) Persons responsible for the conduct of any asbestos abatement training course and examination who desire approval of the course from the Board shall submit adequate documentation of the course content and coverage, as well as examination practices, to enable the Board to determine that the course meets the requirements of 52-4-.01(a),(b),(c),(d) and (e) above as set forth in EPA's model course entitled "Interim Procedures and Practices for Asbestos Abatement Projects," in effect 1986. Approval will be granted by a letter from the Board, with any conditions or effectiveness times deemed appropriate by the Board to maintain a knowledge of the acceptability of such course.
The Georgia Asbestos Safety Act, O.C.G.A. Section 12-12-1,et seq.
