Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 216 - Department of health
Chapter 50 - Environmental health
Subchapter 15 - HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
Part 1 - Asbestos Control
Section 216-RICR-50-15-1.18 - Certification of Asbestos Abatement Training Courses

1. The name and address of the person(s), consulting firm, union, trade association, governmental agency, educational institution or other entity which proposes to conduct the training course, background information about the course sponsors, the name of the responsible individual and his/her telephone number.

2. The type of course(s) for which certification is being requested.

3. A detailed outline of the course curriculum including the amount of time allotted to each topic, the name and training/qualifications of the individual(s) responsible for developing the instruction program for each topic and the name of the instructor(s) for each topic.

4. A description of the teaching methods to be used to present each topic including, where appropriate, lectures, discussions, demonstrations and audio-visual materials. When applicable, include the name, producer and date of production of audio-visual materials to be used.

5. Copies of written materials to be distributed. All materials submitted in conjunction with the application shall be typewritten or machine printed.

6. Evidence demonstrating that the applicant has employed or contracted as instructors, either on a full time or temporary basis, enough persons (a minimum of two) who meet the training and experience criteria contained in § 1.18.3 of this Part. Resumes describing special training and education and/or prior experience may be submitted for providing this evidence.

7. A list of the types, brand names and quantities of respirators to be used to demonstrate and fit test or flow test respirators.

8. A description of the type and quantity of protective clothing to be used during practice exercises and demonstrations.

9. A description of the materials to be used for hands-on practice exercises and demonstrations, including hand tools, ladders, plastic sheeting and other barrier construction supplies, negative air filtration units, water spray devices and decontamination facilities.

10. A detailed description of the site of the training course including address where demonstrations and hands-on practice exercises will be conducted.

11. Any restrictions on attendance (language, degree of literacy required, union or group association, etc.).

12. Instructor to student ratio for the hands-on practice exercises and demonstrations. Written justification must be submitted for student to instructor ratios greater than ten to one (10:1).

13. Copies of typical final examination questions/answers, including the typical number and distribution of questions among the various subject areas, as well as the minimum grade which must be obtained for a trainee to successfully complete the course. Final examinations for Asbestos Inspector, Asbestos Management Planner and Asbestos Worker training courses must consist of at least fifty (50) multiple choice questions. Final examinations for Asbestos Project Designer and Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor training courses must consist of at least one-hundred (100) multiple choice questions. Final examinations for all Annual Review and Competent Person training courses, as well as any other Department approved training course containing up to fourteen (14) instructional hours, must consist of at least fifteen to twenty-five ( 15-25) multiple choice questions, depending on the length of the training course. The minimum passing grade must be at least seventy percent (70%).

14. The Department shall be immediately notified in writing of any significant changes in any information submitted by the applicant. These changes may not be implemented until they have been approved by the Department.

15. Appropriate course content and duration, as defined by § 1.18.8 of this Part.

16. The mechanism(s) that the applicant will use to ensure that all prospective students have successfully completed the appropriate initial training course(s) before being allowed to enroll in the respective annual review course(s), and that all prospective students have successfully completed any prerequisites for an initial training course (e.g., Inspector initial training is required for Management Planner).

1. An instructor shall have experience in both the design, field performance and evaluation of air monitoring programs and the design and implementation of respiratory protection programs.

2. To qualify to teach the sections of the course concerning the health effects of asbestos, a qualified health professional shall be employed.

3. To qualify to teach the sections of the course covering the hands-on practice sessions, an instructor shall be employed with experience as an asbestos contractor or experience as an on-site foreman or supervisor of asbestos workers. This person shall have had direct experience in all phases of asbestos abatement work including work area preparation, construction of barriers, the use of personal protective equipment, engineering controls, work practices, clean-up, disposal and decontamination.

4. An instructor shall have experience in designing, implementing and evaluating either employee educational programs in occupational health and safety or vocational educational programs.

1. Submitting false information on an application;

2. Failure to comply with this Part;

3. Incompetence and/or negligence; or

4. Any good cause within the meaning and purpose of this Part or the Act.

1. Properly perform all aspects of asbestos abatement work; and

2. Prevent unnecessary asbestos exposure to the general public and co-workers by properly constructing and maintaining temporary plastic barriers, by properly using respiratory protection, protective clothing and other protective equipment, and by using proper work area clean-up, decontamination and waste disposal techniques.