SECTION 380:50-6-2. Initial training for asbestos workers

(a)   In the State of Oklahoma, anyone seeking accreditation or licensure from the Department of Labor, must obtain their training from an EPA or DOL accredited training provider, including but not limited to educational institution, labor union, or government agency, or from a private vocational education provider licensed by the state where it operates (pursuant to 70 O.S.§ 21-103 within the state of Oklahoma) and accredited by EPA or an EPA approved governmental agency.

(b)   Such institutions, labor unions or government agencies may receive their DOL accreditation through the Oklahoma Accreditation Plan providing the following criteria are met:

(1)   The training for asbestos abatement worker shall be specific to the discipline and shall not be combined with training for any other discipline.

(2)   The Worker's course shall be no less than four days in length and shall include: lectures, demonstrations, at least 14 hours of hands-on training, individual respirator fit testing, course review and an examination. Hands on training must permit workers to have actual experience performing tasks associated with asbestos abatement. The OAP also recommends the use of audio-visual materials to complement lectures, where appropriate. One day of training equals 8 hours, including breaks and lunch.

(3)   Course instruction must be provided by EPA or State approved instructors. EPA or State approval shall be based on a review of the instructor's academic credentials and/or field experience in asbestos abatement.

(4)   The training course for Asbestos Abatement Worker shall adequately address the following topics:

(A)   Physical characteristics of asbestos. Identification of asbestos, aerodynamic characteristics, typical uses, and physical appearance, and a summary of abatement control options.

(B)   Potential health effects related to asbestos-exposure. The nature of asbestos-related diseases; routes of exposure; dose-response relationships and the lack of safe exposure levels; the synergistic effect between cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure; the latency periods for asbestos related diseases; a discussion of the relationship of asbestos exposure to asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma and cancers of other organs.

(C)   Employee personal protective equipment. Classes and characteristics of respirator types; limitations of respirators; proper selection, inspection; donning, use, maintenance and storage procedures for respirators; methods for field testing of the facepiece-to-face seal (positive and negative pressure fit checks; qualitative and quantitative fit testing procedures; variability between field and laboratory protection factors that alter respiratory fit (e.g.,facial hair, etc.) the components of a proper respiratory protection program; selection and use of personal protective clothing; use, storage and handling of non-disposable clothing; regulations covering personal protective equipment.

(D)   State-of-the-art work practices. Proper work practices for asbestos abatement activities, including descriptions of proper construction; maintenance of barriers and decontamination enclosure systems; positioning of warning signs; lock-out of electrical and ventilation systems; proper work techniques for minimizing fiber release; use of wet methods; use of negative pressure exhaust equipment; use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums; proper clean-up, load-out and disposal procedures; work practices for removal, encapsulation, enclosure, and repair of ACM; emergency procedures for sudden releases; potential exposure situations; transport and disposal procedures and recommended and prohibited work practices.

(E)   Personal hygiene. Entry and exit procedures for the work area; use of showers; avoidance of eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum or tobacco, or applying cosmetics in the work area; and potential exposures, such as family exposures.

(F)   Additional safety hazards. Hazards encountered during abatement activities and how to deal with them, including electrical hazards, heat/cold stress, air contaminants other than asbestos, fire and explosion hazards, scaffolds and ladder hazards, slips, trips and falls and confined spaces.

(G)   Medical monitoring. OSHA Rule requirements for physical examinations, including a pulmonary function test, chest X-rays, and a medical history for each employee.

(H)   Air monitoring. Procedures to determine airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers, focusing on how personal air sampling is performed and the reasons for it.

(I)   Relevant Federal, State and Local regulatory requirements, procedures and standards. With particular attention directed at relevant EPA, OSHA and Oklahoma Regulations concerning asbestos abatement workers.

(J)   Establishment of respiratory protection programs.

(K)   Course review. A review of key aspects of the training course.

[Source: Added at 15 Ok Reg 3247, eff 7-13-98; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 848, eff 7-1-13]