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-50-15-1.9 - Licensee Training Requirements

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. Asbestos Worker 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;

4. Medical monitoring procedures and requirements included under OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part and 29 C.F.R. § 1910.134 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(C) of this Part, additional recommended procedures and tests, benefits of medical monitoring and employee access to records;

5. Air monitoring procedures and requirements included under OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part including a description of equipment and methods, reasons for air monitoring, types of samples and current standards with proposed changes;

6. Additional safety hazards that may be encountered during asbestos 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;

7. 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;

8. 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 cleanup and disposal procedures. Work practice requirements as they apply to removal, repair, enclosure and encapsulation shall be discussed individually; and

9. The requirements, procedures and standards established by OSHA, EPA and the provisions of the Act and this Part.

1. Legal responsibilities and potential liabilities of various parties including, but not limited to, contractors, licensees, employers, employees, building owners and suppliers;

2. Insurance and bonding;

3. Establishing a medical surveillance program in accordance with OSHA 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1101 incorporated by reference at § 1.2(A) of this Part;

4. Rhode Island Department of Health, EPA, and OSHA recordkeeping requirements;

5. How to supervise effectively;

6. Additional emphasis on work practices, including purpose, proper construction and maintenance of barriers and decontamination 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 and maintenance of HEPA vacuums, proper clean-up and disposal procedures; and

7. Key elements of contract specifications.