Rhode Island Asbestos Regulations

• Rhode Island General Laws § 23-24.5-5. Asbestos exposure standards
• Rules and Regulations for Asbestos Control (R23-24.5-ASB)

Federal:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Develops and enforces regulations necessary to protect the general public from exposure to airborne contaminants that are known to be hazardous to human health (See 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et. seq).
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Rhode Island:

• Rhode Island Department of Health

• No asbestos abatement project shall be undertaken unless the Asbestos Contractor is licensed with the Agency and an asbestos abatement plan has been approved by the Agency.
• No on-site work for an approved asbestos abatement project may be conducted unless at least one of the Asbestos Contractor's licensed Asbestos Abatement Site Supervisors and an individual certified by the American Red Cross (or equivalent) in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and basic first-aid are physically present on the job site.
• No owner shall allow any person to be exposed to friable asbestos materials when such exposure is a violation of the provisions of the Act, these regulations or the indoor non-occupational air exposure standard.
• No building or demolition permit involving asbestos abatement shall be issued by any municipal or state official unless the application for the permit includes a certified copy of an approved abatement plan and a certified copy of the license of the Asbestos Contractor who shall undertake the work.
• Individuals certified only for spot repairs shall not undertake any asbestos abatement project which is: (1) larger than the size limits for a Spot Repair as defined by the regulations; or (2) in buildings other than those specifically authorized on their Certification.

Building owner/operator must submit an Asbestos Start Work Notification at least 10 working days prior to on-site work.

Building owner/operator must submit an Asbestos Abatement Plan:

• Work may not commence until after the Agency has given written approval to the plan.
• Plan must include details on the methods of repair/removal/encapsulation; team of licensed contractors performing the work; schedule for completion; disposal location; level of compliance with exposure and action criteria; among other requirements.

General Requirements:

• Site supervisors shall be licensed in conjunction with an application for a license by an Asbestos Contractor.
• All Asbestos Abatement Workers must be licensed on an individual basis.

Application:

• To apply for a license, an Asbestos Contractor or Asbestos Abatement Worker shall submit a completed application to the Agency on forms provided by the Agency. The application shall include all information required by the Act, as well as by the form and accompanying instructions.
• The Agency may at any time after the filing of the original application require further information in order to enable the Agency to determine whether the application should be approved or denied.

• Application and Instructions for Asbestos Analytical Services
• Application and Instructions for Asbestos Competent Person
• Application and Instructions for Asbestos Consultation Services
• Application and Instructions for Asbestos Supervisor
• Application and Instructions for Asbestos Training Courses