Kentucky (KY) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources:
Since Kentucky recognizes that inhaling asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, which is the scarring of the lungs, mesothelioma, which is cancer of the lung lining, and lung cancer, the handling of asbestos-containing materials in regulated buildings is strictly regulated by the federal government, the state of Kentucky, and local governments (2). Known for its insulating, fireproofing qualities, asbestos can be found in over 3,000 products, many of which are used for the construction of buildings (2). While in some cases asbestos containing material that is intact do not pose an immediate health risk, when renovations or demolitions occur, it can cause damage to those products and release large amounts of asbestos fibers into the air (2). For this reason, Kentucky requires that building owners to have the area inspected by a professional and all asbestos containing materials removed before demolition or renovations occur (2).
Asbestos Professionals
In order to be hired to complete any task related to asbestos in any capacity, all asbestos workers must be certified according to the Kentucky Asbestos Accreditation Program (3). This program stipulates the specific requirements to become certified in several separate areas including asbestos workers, supervisors, inspectors, management planners, and project designers (3). Each of these areas have courses that are consistent with the type of asbestos work that they will be responsible for, so each course varies in content, length, and intensity. The course required for general asbestos workers must be a four day course that meets for six and a half hours of instruction and include lectures, demonstrations, individual respirator fit testing, course review, an examination, and at least fourteen hours of hands on training (3). The topics covered must include the topics of the physical characteristics and identification of asbestos, potential health effects related to asbestos exposure, employee personal protective equipment, state-of-the-art work practices, personal hygiene, other safety hazards, medical monitoring, relevant federal, state, and local regulations, establishment of respiratory protection programs, and a course review (3). The supervisor-training program contains all of the same content as the asbestos worker, but also includes insurance and liability issues, recordkeeping for asbestos abatement projects, and contract specifications (3). The other courses all vary based on specialty and are designed to ensure the highest levels of safety.
Upon completing the course, the workers must take and pass a written examination of either 50 or 100 questions, depending on the course taken (3). If they do not achieve a score of at least 70 percent, they may retake the test once, but if they fail it again, they must attend the course a second time before attempting the test again (3). Even after the course is completed and all applications and fees are submitted, education still continues. Licenses expire annually, so to maintain an active license, asbestos professionals must attend refresher courses that include one full day of instruction (3). The refresher courses are different for each type of asbestos professional, but they include a review of the initial course, any changes in federal, state, or local regulations, and any new state-of-the-art work procedures (3). Since all of this training gives asbestos professionals the knowledge and practice to keep themselves, their employees, and the public safe, it is required that they are hired for all asbestos related work in regulated buildings (3). Even in unregulated buildings, such as private homes with fewer than four housing units, it is always recommended that homeowners allow professionals to use their experience and keep their loved ones safe.
Abatement Procedures
Containment Areas and Decontamination Units
To set up the area properly, a containment area must be established (1). Containment areas must consist of either permanent walls that extend from the floor to the ceiling or temporary barriers that are made of polyethylene sheeting (1). All openings in the containment area, including windows, doorways, vents, and ducts must be sealed off completely with plastic sheeting (1). Inside the containment area, the floors must be covered with two layers of polyethylene sheeting that extend at least one foot up the walls (1). Wall sheeting must overlap the floor sheeting and consist of two layers of sheeting if it covers a permanent wall, or one layer of sheeting for a temporary barrier (1).
Once the containment area is established, a contractor must provide employees with a decontamination unit that consists of a shower room, a clean room, and an equipment room (1). Each of these rooms must be separate from each other, and workers are required to pass through the rooms in the proper order when entering or exiting the containment area to avoid spreading asbestos fibers to the public or the environment (1). At all approaches to the work area, 20 by 14 inch signs must be displayed that read “DANGER. ASBESTOS. CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLYRESPIRATORS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ARE REQUIRED IN THIS AREA” (1).
Pre-cleaning
Before any asbestos is handled in the prepared site, all surfaces, fixed structures, and moveable objects in the work area must be cleaned (1). Once cleaned, moveable objects must be removed to an uncontaminated area and fixed objects must be covered with polyethylene plastic sheeting (1). This is to ensure that there are no residual asbestos fibers brought back into or left in the area. Enough negative pressure ventilation units with HEPA filters must be installed to provide the work area with a complete change of air every 15 minutes (1).
Asbestos Removal
During the removal, there are more strict regulations to keep all of the workers, the outside public, and the environment safe from airborne asbestos fibers. First, all employees must wear a variety of personal protective equipment, including a respirator (1). Once the employees are ready to begin, all friable asbestos material that is removed must be saturated before it is handled to minimize the amount of dust created (1). Also, whenever it is possible, facility components should be removed intact or in large sections, as cutting or grinding the material could create unnecessary dust (1). When the asbestos-containing material is removed, it must be lowered carefully to the ground to avoid excess damage (1). This procedure may include airtight chutes when the asbestos is removed from heights, and all removed material must be contained in approved drums, bags, or boxes before it has a chance to build up on the ground (1). All porous surfaces must be sprayed with a lockdown agent to prevent future exposure (1).
When the abatement is finished, the contractor must sample the air in various places to ensure that it complies with emission regulations and properly deconstruct the containment and decontamination units. Once this is completed, the contractor must arrange to have the waste taken by an approved dump site. All licensed contractors in Kentucky have been thoroughly trained in waste procedures and can carry this out in a safe manner. If you suspect that asbestos may be a problem, especially prior to a renovation or demolition, hire a contractor to safely handle all of these procedures. Fortunately, there are many certified contractors in Kentucky who can handle all of your asbestos needs and discuss your options with you.
'Kentucky (KY) Asbestos Removal & Abatement Resources' Sources:
1) “401 KAR 58:040, Requirements for Asbestos Abatement Entities.” Kentucky Legislature. 9 Aug 2007. 3 Oct 2007. <http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/401/058/040.htm>.
2) “Asbestos: How Can It be Controlled?” Kentucky Division for Air Quality. 3 Oct 2007 <http://www.air.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0594C451-42F8-488E-A9CE-C81EA9CE68C3/0/asbestos_brochure.pdf>.
3) “Kentucky Asbestos Accreditation Program.” Kentucky Division for Air Quality. May 1998. 3 Oct 2007 <http://www.air.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/8543CE0C-37FE-4487-96C0-DFB0B99E36FC/0/KentuckyAsbestosAccrediationProgram.pdf>.
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