OVERVIEW
OF ASBESTOS REGULATIONS
There
are numerous regulations, which address asbestos activities. The following
are brief descriptions of some of these rules:
The
National Emissions for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) 40 CFR, Part
61, Sub-part M. Promulgated by the U.S. EPA - Enforced by the State
of Florida Department of Environmental Protection and by the Pinellas
County Environmental Management Air Quality Division.
Requires
a thorough written asbestos inspection, written notification, proper removal
practices, and proper disposal of regulated asbestos containing materials
(RACM) prior to a demolition, or renovation operations.
Florida
Administrative Code (FAC.) 62-257.100, pertinent to Pinellas County, are
adopted and incorporated by Pinellas County.
Either
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the Pinellas County
Department of Environmental Management can enforce these rules.
Pinellas
County Code Chapter 58, Article IV, Division 4. Pinellas County Environmental
Management enforces the NESHAP Asbestos Standard in Pinellas County.
Pinellas
County Department of Environmental Management, Air Quality Division officials
will determine if buildings which are scheduled for demolition, or renovation
operations are in compliance with the NESHAP Asbestos Standard. Enforcement
action will be taken on operations not in compliance.
The
Construction Industry Asbestos Standard, 29 CFR 1926.1101, and the General
Industry Asbestos Standard 29 CFR 1910.1001, The US Department of Labor,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
These
rules require employers to provide information about the hazards of working
with asbestos, provide proper respiratory protection, personnel monitoring,
medical monitoring, engineering controls, proper training and proper record
keeping for all employees that handle materials that may contain asbestos.
Florida
Statute 469.004 and 469.005- Requires licensure of asbestos consultants
and contractors by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation
(DBPR).
Licensure
as an asbestos contractor requires that only persons who have taken the
required courses of instruction in asbestos. As of October 17, 1995, only
asbestos contractors licensed by the State of Florida may operate in the
Florida. Licensure
as an asbestos consultant requires persons who are registered architects,
professional engineers, professional geologists, diplomats of the American
Board of Industrial Hygiene (C.I.H.), or Certified Safety Professionals,
and who have taken the required courses of instruction in asbestos. As
of October 17, 1995, only asbestos consultants licensed by the State of
Florida may operate in Florida.
Florida Statute 553.79, - requires that the Department of Environmental
Protection be notified in writing before a local building permit is granted
for any building demolition or renovation which would disturb asbestos
material. This regulation is administered by the Department of Community
Affairs.
Building Departments shall require each building permit for the renovation
or demolition of an existing structure to contain an asbestos notification
statement which indicates the owner's or operator's responsibility to
comply with the provisions of Section,469.003, F.S.,and to notify the
Department of Environmental Protection of their intentions to remove asbestos,
when applicable, in accordance with State and Federal law.
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