Laws of State of California

In some areas of the state of California there are up to six Governmental Agencies that regulate the testing, removal, transportation of and disposal of asbestos containing building materials (acbm).
A. Contractor's State License Board:  All contractors taht engage in the removal of any asbestos building materials must have passed a written test administered by the CSLB.  If the contractor has passed this test, it will be noted on their CSLB license.

Even contractors that are not licensed to remove acbm must have passed a written open book test that deals explicitly with the detection and handling of acbm in order to maintain their license.

The CSLB does not visit job sites to inspect for proper asbestos removal procedures.
B. State of California Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) oversees the registering of CSLB licensed asbestos removal contractors, asbestos technician training courses and often visit actual job sites to inspect for asbestos removal worker safety.  Their only focus is on worker safety.

Twenty-four hours prior to the start of any asbestos removal project, DOSH requires written notice via fax; the job site's address, date the job is being started and completed, scope of work, name of competent supervisor, type of asbestos being removed, and removal procedures being utilized.
C. The Environmental Protection Agency has various offices located throughout California to regulate the removal of asbestos building materials.  In the Los Angeles area, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulates the removal of acbm.  Their main focus is to make sure that renovation and demolition projects do not release asbestos fibers into the atmosphere.

Fourteen calendar days prior to the start of any asbestos removal project where the scope of work calls for the removal of more than 100 sq. ft. of acbm, SCAQMD requires written notice, via US Mail; the contractor's name, address and phone number; the job site address, job site owner's name, address and phone number; job start and completion date, exact type and amount of asbestos material to be removed, hazardous waste hauler's and landfill's name, address and phone number.

SCAQMD will often visit job sites to make sure no asbestos fibers are being released during the removal process.
D. A written notification must be submitted to the Los Angeles Fire Department for any commercial jobs, jobs performed at apartment houses over four units or condominiums over four units that take place in areas that are serviced by the LAFD.
E. The State of California issues Hazardous Waste Manifests to all companies that transport acbm.  The manifests require the following information:  The generator's name, address and phone number, all waste transporter's name and EPA number, the landfill's name and EPA number.
F. In the Los Angeles area, the only city that requires a building permit is the City of Beverly Hills.  Even though they require a permit be taken out, they do not perform inspections.
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