Asbestos Abatement Program                                           UPPS No. 04.05.09
Issue No.  3

                                                                                                Effective Date: 06/27/2006
Review: June 1 E5Y

 

 

01.       POLICY STATEMENTS

 

01.01  In a good faith effort to comply with federal and state regulations and in consideration of the health and safety of the campus community and its visitors, Facilities must assess and authorize all facility modifications, remodeling, renovations, demolition and new construction contracts related to buildings, structures or furnishings, and any repairs to existing facilities or furnishings at Texas State.

 

            A published asbestos policy is a required condition to meet Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules promulgated by the Texas Department of Health and comply with all federal standards referenced in Section 02. This policy describes standard operating procedures which must be complied with in accomplishing abatement projects. An Asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Contractor-Restricted License is required to conduct asbestos abatement activities with Facilities staff.

 

02.       REFERENCES FOR MANDATORY COMPLIANCE

 

02.01  For the purpose of establishing a policy that insures full compliance with state and federal regulations, the following publications are adopted for reference. Compliance with the requirements of the referenced regulations is mandatory.

 

a.   40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M, National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS)

 

b.   EPA Document 560/5-85-024, Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings

 

c.   40 CFR 763, Subpart G, EPA Workers Protection Rule

 

d.   29 CFR 1910.1001, OSHA General Industry Standard for Asbestos

 

e.   29 CFR 1910.134, OSHA Respiratory Protection

 

f.    29 CFR 1926.58, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Standard, Asbestos, Tremolite, Anthophyllite, and Actinolite. Specific reference is made to Appendix G, Work Practices and Engineering Controls for Small Scale, Short Duration Asbestos Renovation and Maintenance Activities.

 

g.   29 CFR 1926.58, Appendix C, OSHA Qualitative and Quantitative Fit Testing Procedures

 

h.   25 TAC 295.31, Texas Department of Health, Occupational Safety and Health Rules, Asbestos Exposure Abatement in Public Buildings

 

03.       DEFINITIONS

 

03.01  Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) - Materials containing more than 1% asbestos fibers from analysis by a qualified laboratory by testing using polarized light microscopy (PLM). Asbestos may be found in cement products, acoustical plaster, fireproofing textiles, wallboard, ceiling tiles, vinyl floor tiles, thermal insulation, roofing felts, caulking and other materials.

 

03.02  An Asbestos O&M Contractor-Restricted license, issued by the Texas Department of Health, Occupational Health Division, is required to engage in any removal or encapsulation of asbestos materials for maintenance or repair purposes within any building affording public access or occupancy.

 

03.03  Resilient Floor Covering Certification – Personnel certified by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) may remove resilient flooring containing asbestos under special circumstances.

 

04.       PROCEDURES FOR PROJECT AUTHORIZATION

 

04.01  All university departments must submit a written request for project authorization to Director of Facilities Management or Asbestos Program Administrator prior to commencing with any activities outlined in this UPPS as referenced in Section 01.01.

 

04.02  All Facilities personnel will contact the designated Asbestos Program Administrator prior to commencing with any activities outlined in this UPPS in Section 01.01.

 

04.03

 

a.   New construction or renovation projects at Texas State must have either a signed letter by the project architect stating that no asbestos containing materials have been used in the construction of the facility or structure, or a comprehensive survey for ACM with sampling analysis by a firm licensed to perform such work in the State of Texas.

 

b.   The Architect/Owner contract specifications will require this documentation. It is the responsibility of the department overseeing the project (normally Facilities Planning, Design and Construction or Facilities) to see that these documents are procured.

 

c.   The Director of Facilities Management or the designated Asbestos Program Administrator must receive this documentation before the University will accept any new or newly renovated campus structure or facility.

 

05.       RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

 

05.01  The Director of Facilities Management is the person designated to meet the requirements for licensing with the Texas Department of Health. All operations and maintenance activities involving asbestos abatement will be authorized by the Director of Facilities Management.

 

05.02  The Director of Facilities Management serves as the designated person for the university asbestos O&M program and assumes responsibility for the operation of the program.

 

05.03  Duties of the Director of Facilities Management as the Asbestos Program Administrator are to insure that the following are carried out:

 

a.   Establish policies as needed to insure no ACM is used in new construction or newly renovated facilities;

 

b.   Survey to determine if asbestos is present;

 

c.   Establish a Special O&M program;

 

d.   Conduct and administer small scale/short duration abatement actions if necessary;

 

e.   Maintain all building records for the asbestos program;

 

f.    Interpret asbestos building surveys;

 

g.   Write proposed schedule of action to be taken for the control of asbestos in facilities; and

 

h.   Advise clients for O&M or asbestos abatement in accordance with applicable regulations.

 

05.04  Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Supervisor - Restricted - All operations and maintenance asbestos abatement projects will be under the direct supervision of the Crew Supervisor, Steam Distribution.  Supervisors will insure compliance with personal protective equipment, handling procedures, and equipment installation as specified in the referenced regulations.

 

05.05  Asbestos abatement workers will comply with specified regulations and follow prescribed procedures as outlined in this policy statement and as trained. Asbestos abatement workers will report to the project supervisor any known or perceived violation of abatement procedures. Resilient floor covering may be removed by workers holding the certification for removal of resilient floor covering.

 

06.       REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINING

 

06.01  Prior to undertaking to remove or encapsulate asbestos, or make repairs, installations, maintenance, or other asbestos related activity, personnel must receive training in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency and OSHA regulations.

 

06.02  Facilities sections who have a need to qualify personnel as asbestos workers will request qualification requirements through the Facilities Training Coordinator who will maintain training, physical examination and state licensing records.

 

06.03  All university departments who employ personnel or students who may perform tasks as those described in Section 01.01 of this UPPS or who perform service or maintenance on university facilities as part of their job duties must be included in Facilities Asbestos Awareness Program. The program includes asbestos awareness training for new employees as part of their orientation process and awareness refresher training annually. Departments affected are to contact the Facilities Training Coordinator at 245-8042 to schedule training for their employees.

 

07.       REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

 

07.01  Facilities will initiate procedures to obtain an Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Contractor-Restricted License from the Texas Department of Health. Annual renewal of the Building Management License, Supervisor Licenses, and Workers Registration will be coordinated through Facilities Training Coordinator.

 

08.       PROCEDURES FOR RECORDKEEPING

 

08.01  Recordkeeping is essential to asbestos abatement programs. Records will be maintained in the Facilities Administration Office. Records retention is for thirty years unless otherwise specified. The University will, as a minimum, maintain the following records:

 

a.   For each project, a complete record will show:

 

1)   Name of project supervisor;

2)   Location and description of operations;

3)   Description of abatement procedures;

4)   Description of personal safety practices;

5)   Name and address of disposal site;

6)   Dates of participation; and

7)   Roster of registered asbestos workers employed.

 

b.   A copy of each violation shall be maintained and made available to the Environmental Protection Agency or the Texas Department of Health upon request.

 

c.   All licenses and registrations of supervisors and workers.

 

d.   Records of the Respiratory Protection Program.

 

e.   Medical surveillance records for all supervisors and asbestos workers (maintained thirty years after termination of employment).

 

f.    Training records reflecting compliance with regulated requirements (maintained for one year after termination of employment).

 

09.       REVIEWERS OF THIS UPPS

 

09.01  Reviewers of this UPPS include the following:

 

Position                                                          Date

 

Associate Vice President for Facilities      June 1 E5Y

 

Director, Facilities Management                 June 1 E5Y

 

Director, Risk Management & Safety         June 1 E5Y

 

10.       CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

 

This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

 

Associate Vice President for Facilities; senior reviewer of this UPPS

 

Vice President for Finance and Support Services

 

President