ASBESTOS TRAINING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Learn more about our asbestos training courses by reviewing our frequently asked questions. These will help you be prepared in time for your class.

I HEARD THAT THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR ASBESTOS. WHAT EXACTLY ARE THEY?

If you are being trained for the first time, you must bring your New York State Drivers License. If you are being trained by Environmental Education Associates and you are not a resident of New York State, you will need to contact the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a New York ID number.

WHAT IF I JUST NEED AN ASBESTOS REFRESHER COURSE?

If you have already received training, you must bring a copy of your 2832 (DOSH Form) along with a current government-issued picture identification card.

WHAT IS THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ASBESTOS SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM?

Workers involved in asbestos abatement must first receive appropriate training from a New York State Department of Health accredited asbestos safety training provider prior to being certified through the New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Licensing and Certification Unit.

The Department of Health has regulatory oversight of New York State accredited asbestos safety training providers. Part of the Bureau of Occupational Health, the Asbestos Safety Training Program regulates specific training courses in nine disciplines that involve the handling, evaluation, sampling and removal of asbestos-containing materials.

HOW DO I BECOME CERTIFIED TO WORK WITH ASBESTOS IN NEW YORK?

In New York State, certification is a two-step process. To work with asbestos, you must:

Attend training in one of nine disciplines at a New York State Department of Health accredited asbestos safety training provider and then;
Apply for a certificate through the New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Licensing and Certification Unit.

Also, when engaged in asbestos work activities, you must be working for a New York State Department of Labor licensed asbestos contractor.

WHAT IF I TOOK TRAiNING OR AM CERTIFIED/LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE?

You must read and complete the Asbestos Safety Training Equivalency/Reciprocity Application (DOH-4353). This application is for out-of-state trainees who seek a determination that their training is substantially equivalent to that required by 10 NYCRR, Part 73. If approved, out-of-state applicants will need to complete a New York State refresher course.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO TRAIN OR DO I NEED TO COMPLETE REFRESHER TRAINING?

Asbestos workers must keep their training current by completing annual refresher training. Training is specific to each discipline and valid for one calendar year regardless of the expiration date on your New York State Department of Labor certificate or “hard card”.

Once your training expires, you are in a grace period and cannot be actively engaged in asbestos work. You have a one-year grace period after your training expires in which to complete refresher training. Once your grace period expires (exactly two calendar years from the date of your last training course completion date), you are no longer eligible to complete refresher training and must repeat an initial training course.

ARE ASBESTOS COMPANIES AND CONTRACTORS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED?

Yes, asbestos companies and contractors must be licensed through the New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Licensing and Certification Unit.

MY NEW YORK ASBESTOS CERTIFICATION HAS EXPIRED OR WILL EXPIRE SOON. WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MY CERTIFICATION?

You must complete annual refresher training at a New York State Department of Health accredited asbestos safety training provider. After completing training, you must renew your certification with the Department of Labor Asbestos Licensing and Certification Unit.

I am an asbestos investigator in New York City and I am licensed through the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Do I need a certificate from New York State?

Yes, you must be certified with the New York State Department of Labor, Asbestos Control Bureau, Asbestos Licensing and Certification Unit, if you are working anywhere in New York State (memorandum for New York City Asbestos Work).

In addition, New York City Department of Environmental Protection certified asbestos investigators, like all disciplines, must complete annual refresher training, regardless of the expiration date of their New York City Department of Environmental Protection or New York State Department of Labor certifications. This policy is outlined in the Asbestos Safety Training Program Memorandum 2009-01.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES OR TYPES OF CERTIFICATES FOR ASBESTOS WORKERS?

New York State has nine distinct disciplines, each with a specific set of training requirements.

Allied Trades – Any person performing any limited or special tasks in preparation for, or ancillary to, an asbestos project, such as a carpenter, electrician, plumber or similar occupation, or any other person who may potentially disturb friable or non-friable asbestos during the course of any employment.
Operations and Maintenance – Any person who performs operations, maintenance and repair activities that may disturb minor quantities of ACM, PACM or asbestos material. Operation and maintenance certification permits holders to perform OSHA Class III asbestos work only on minor asbestos projects. These minor asbestos projects must be associated with repairs required in the performance of emergency or routine maintenance activity and is not intended solely as asbestos abatement. Such work may not exceed minor quantities of ACM to be disturbed within a single glove bag or a single negative pressure tent enclosure.
Asbestos Handler (Worker) – Any person who removes, encapsulates, encloses, repairs or disturbs friable or non-friable asbestos or who handles asbestos material in any manner which may result in the release of asbestos fiber.
Contractor/Supervisor – Any person who performs supervision of persons (other than authorized visitors) permitted to enter the restricted area and regulated abatement work area. The supervisor is also responsible for performing the duties of the OSHA competent person for the asbestos project, consistent with current OSHA regulations.
Inspector – Any person who performs the limited tasks involved in the asbestos survey, identification and assessment of the condition of asbestos and asbestos material and the recording and reporting thereof, or who is involved in collecting bulk samples of asbestos material or suspected asbestos material for laboratory analysis.
Management Planner – Any person who assesses the hazard posed by the presence of asbestos or asbestos-containing material and/or who recommends appropriate response actions and a schedule for such response actions.
Asbestos Project Air Sampling Technician – Any person who performs project air sampling.
Project Monitor – Any person other than the asbestos abatement contractor’s supervisor who oversees the scope, timing, phasing and/or remediation methods to be utilized on and the completeness of any asbestos project.
Project Designer – Any person who plans the scope, timing, phasing and remediation methods for any asbestos project.

WHAT IS THE ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT (AHERA)?

AHERA, a provision of the Toxic Substances Control Act, became law in 1986. AHERA requires local education agencies to inspect their schools for asbestos-containing building material and prepare management plans to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards. Public school districts and non-profit private schools (collectively called local education agencies) are subject to AHERA’s requirements. This includes charter schools and schools affiliated with religious institutions.

The New York State Department of Health Asbestos Safety Training Program performs AHERA compliance audits and assistance at schools in New York State on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.