When is asbestos testing necessary? According to the EPA, OSHA and the IICRC S-500 standards, it is required in buildings of any type (residential or commercial) and of any year of construction
Here is a link to a video created and posted by Brandon at Reets Drying Academy which clearly explains the asbestos testing requirements as enforced by the EPA, OSHA and as recommended by the IICRC S-500 Standard.
MB’s Documentation Supplied to Contractors We Work With.
Notice of Asbestos Testing Requirements
The EPA, State Regulatory Agencies and OSHA have been recently increasing their enforcement of the Federal Asbestos laws as well as the States of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin’s, additional restrictions. The Iowa Enforcement Officer has made several gray areas very clear and MB Mold and Air Quality Testing is advising all of its partner remediation contractors, to follow these laws accordingly.
- All commercial buildings with any material removal (other than wood, glass, metal or fiberglass) shall to be tested for ACM (Asbestos Containing Material). This includes multi-family habitational rentals of more than 4 units, other commercial, any industrial, institutional or public building. This is mandated by the EPA, State Government (DNR or Health Department) and OSHA.
- All residential buildings (including single family homes) regardless of the year of construction, that will need any material removal (other than wood, glass, metal or fiberglass) as part of fire or water mitigation, will need to be tested for ACM to protect workers doing that material removal. (OSHA mandated)
- Per Chad Smith (OSHA Enforcement Officer) the following codes dictate his enforcement efforts.
1926.1101(k)(2)(i)
Before work subject to this standard is begun, building and facility owners shall determine the presence, location, and quantity of ACM and/or PACM at the work site pursuant to paragraph (k)(1)(i) of this section.
1926.1101(k)(3)(ii)
Before work under this standard is performed employers of employees who will perform such work shall inform the following persons of the location and quantity of ACM and/or PACM present in the area and the precautions to be taken to ensure that airborne asbestos is confined to the area.
MB has licensed Asbestos Inspectors that will prioritize inspections for local remediation contractors and expedite testing. Please keep in mind, in addition to the cost associated with the testing, the normal timeline for any demo may be affected by this process. Also, should asbestos containing material be found that is part of the demo scope, there is a mandatory notification period (10 business days) that will postpone abatement, unless OSHA rules that the situation is an emergency. The classification of a residential water damage, as an emergency, is very unlikely.
MB will assist our partners and make every effort to handle each project with the utmost urgency and will only be delayed as required by law.
Below is a link to an enforcement explanation letter we procured from the State of Iowa.