How to Spot a Problem

Step by step instructions for the testing and removal of asbestos containing building materials (acbm).

Click to enlarge image
Click here to enlarge image
A. Have the building material that is to be renovated or demolished, analyzed for asbestos content.  These are called "bulk samples."

You can take the samples yourself and deliver them to a local laboratory for analysis or you can hire the laboratory to take the samples for you.

In the yellow pages listing for "asbestos" you will find local laboratories.

If you take the samples yourself, you should call the lab you are going to use and they will tell you how to handle the samples.  The cost should be around $25.00 per sample.

If a lab sends a technician to take samples, the cost will be greater.
B. After you have received the Bulk Sample Analysis Report from the lab, then you can do one of the following:
  1. If you are the owner/occupant of a single family dwelling, you may perform the asbestos removal yourself.  Neither Cal OSHA or the EPA have jurisdiction over owner/occupants removing acbm from their residence.  You will need to dispose of the acbm at a licensed EPA approved hazardous waste landfill, which requires proper bagging, manifesting and the services of a licensed waste hauler.
  2. Either you or your contractor can hire a licensed asbestos removal contractor.
  3. If the asbestos content of the material is less than .001% you only need DOSH trained asbestos technicians to perform the removal and you can dump the material at any landfill as construction debris.  Note:  SCAQMD does not have jurisdiction over jobs where the building material being disturbed has an asbestos content of less than .01%.
C. Asbestos Removal Contractors:

Must have a Cal OSHA Registration Number, proof of workers compensation insurance and general liability insurance with $1,000,000.00 coverage.
D. Asbestos removal contracts should contain the following:
  1. Asbestos removal contractor's name, address, telephone number, CSLB license number, and Cal OSHA registration number.
  2. Exact scope of work to be performed, such as:
    "Removal by scraping, approximately 400 sq. ft. of ceiling spray from drywall ceilings located in dining and living rooms."
  3. Notification and Removal procedures to be utilized:
    • A. Notification of job start to all governing agencies.
    • B. Isolation of work areas.
    • C. Utilization of filtered negative air pressure, where required, and decontamination facilities.
    • D. Decontamination of work areas.
    • E. Encapsulation of abated work areas.
    • F. Disposal of asbestos waste at an EPA approved landfill.
    • G. PCM air minotiring prior to, during, and after abatement.
  4. Disclaimers:  Because the removal of acbm is in reality a demolition procedure, every contract will contain disclaimers such as:

    Contractor not liable for tape backing residue, damage to walls, ceilings, floors, wires not in approved conduit, etc.
E. Before asbestos the removal crew leaves the job site at the end of the job, either you or your representative (which can even be a member of the asbestos removal crew) will have to sign the hazardous waste manifest, which tracks the acbm from your job site to the EPA approved landfill.
F. Upon receipt of payment, the asbestos removal contract  can provide you with a certificate of completion, lien releases, copy of hazardous waste manifest, and copy of air clearances.
G. Upon receipt of the signed contract, the asbestos removal contractor will contact you to schedule the job date.  At same time you can ask to be additionally insured by the contractor's workers compensation and general liability company.  There is no cost for insurance certificates.
1