WSR 00-04-093

PROPOSED RULES

PUGET SOUND

CLEAN AIR AGENCY

[ Filed February 2, 2000, 10:29 a.m. ]

Original Notice.

Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under 70.94.141(1).

Title of Rule: Amend Regulation III, Sections 4.01, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, and 4.06.

Purpose: To no longer require notification for removal of nonfriable asbestos-containing material; to no longer require work practices for removal of nonfriable asbestos-containing material; and to no longer require notification for friable asbestos removals below the thresholds required by EPA (40 C.F.R. Part 61, Subpart M).

Other Identifying Information: Asbestos Control Standards.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 70.94 RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 70.94.141.

Summary: This proposal will reduce the regulatory burden for removing asbestos material that does not present a significant risk to public health.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: To reduce the regulatory burden for removing asbestos material that does not present a significant risk to public health; and to focus our regulatory efforts on removals of asbestos materials that are required to be regulated by EPA.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Jim Nolan, 110 Union Street, #500, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 689-4053; Implementation: Dave Kircher, 110 Union Street, #500, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 689-4050; and Enforcement: Neal Shulman, 110 Union Street, #500, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 689-4078.

Name of Proponent: Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, governmental.

Agency Comments or Recommendations, if any, as to Statutory Language, Implementation, Enforcement, and Fiscal Matters: The state implementation plan will be updated to reflect these amendments.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: This proposal will reduce the regulatory burden for removing asbestos material that does not present a significant risk to public health by no longer requiring: Notification and work practices for removal of nonfriable asbestos-containing material; notification for friable asbestos removals below the thresholds required by EPA.

Allowing us to focus our regulatory efforts on removals that are required to be regulated by EPA.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: This proposal will remove the requirements to submit a notification for removal of asbestos material that does not present a significant risk to public health.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This agency is not subject to the small business economic impact provision of the Administrative Procedure Act.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. Pursuant to RCW 70.94.141(1), RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: PSCAA Offices, 110 Union Street, #500, Seattle, WA 98101, on March 9, 2000, at 9:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Agency Receptionist, (206) 689-4010, by March 2, 2000, TDD (800) 833-6388, or (800) 833-6385 (Braille).

Submit Written Comments to: Dennis McLerran, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, 110 Union Street, #500, Seattle, WA 98101, fax (206) 343-7522, by February 28, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: March 9, 2000.

February 1, 2000

James Nolan

Director - Compliance

AMENDATORY SECTION

REGULATION III SECTION 4.01 DEFINITIONS

(a) AHERA BUILDING INSPECTOR means a person who has successfully completed the training requirements for a building inspector established by EPA Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan; Interim Final Rule (40 CFR Part 763, Appendix C to Subpart E, I.B.3) and whose certification is current.

(b) AHERA PROJECT DESIGNER means a person who has successfully completed the training requirements for an abatement project designer established by EPA regulations (40 CFR 763.90(g)) and whose certification is current.

(c) ASBESTOS means the asbestiform varieties of actinolite, amosite (cummingtonite-grunerite), tremolite, chrysotile (serpentinite), crocidolite (riebeckite), or anthophyllite.

(d) ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIAL means any material containing more than one percent (1%) asbestos as determined using the method specified in EPA regulations Appendix A, Subpart F, 40 CFR Part 763, Section l, Polarized Light Microscopy.

(e) ASBESTOS-CONTAINING WASTE MATERIAL means any waste that contains or is contaminated with friable asbestos-containing material. Asbestos-containing waste material includes asbestos waste from control equipment, materials used to enclose the work area during an asbestos project, friable asbestos-containing material collected for disposal, asbestos-contaminated waste, debris, containers, bags, protective clothing, or HEPA filters. Asbestos-containing waste material does not include samples of friable asbestos-containing material taken for testing or enforcement purposes.

(f) ASBESTOS PROJECT means any activity involving the ((abatement, renovation, demolition,)) removal, ((salvage,)) clean up, or disposal of friable asbestos-containing material((, or any other action that disturbs or is likely to disturb any asbestos-containing material)). It includes the removal and disposal of stored friable asbestos-containing material or asbestos-containing waste material. It does not include the application of duct tape, rewettable glass cloth, canvas, cement, paint, or other non-asbestos materials to seal or fill exposed areas where asbestos fibers may be released.

(g) ASBESTOS SURVEY means a written report describing an inspection using the procedures contained in EPA regulations (40 CFR 763.86), or an alternate method that has received prior written approval from the Control Officer, to determine whether materials or structures to be worked on, renovated, removed, or demolished (including materials on the outside of structures) contain asbestos.

(((h) COMPETENT PERSON means a person who is capable of identifying asbestos hazards and selecting the appropriate asbestos control strategy, has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them, and has been trained and is currently certified in accordance with the standards established by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration, or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (whichever agency has jurisdiction).))

(((i))) (h) COMPONENT means any equipment, pipe, structural member, or other item covered or coated with, or manufactured from, asbestos-containing material.

(((j))) (i) DEMOLITION means wrecking, razing, leveling, dismantling, or burning of a structure, making the structure permanently uninhabitable or unusable.

(((k))) (j) FRIABLE ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIAL means asbestos-containing material that, when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized, ((disintegrated,)) or reduced to powder by hand pressure or by the forces expected to act upon the material in the course of demolition, renovation, or disposal. Such materials include, but are not limited to, thermal system insulation, surfacing material, and cement asbestos products.

(((l))) (k) LEAK-TIGHT CONTAINER means a dust-tight and liquid-tight container, at least 6-mil thick, that encloses asbestos-containing waste material and prevents solids or liquids from escaping or spilling out. Such containers may include sealed plastic bags, metal or fiber drums, and sealed polyethylene plastic.

(((m))) (l) NONFRIABLE ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIAL means asbestos-containing material that, when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, ((disintegrated,)) or reduced to powder by hand pressure or by the forces expected to act on the material in the course of demolition, renovation, or disposal.

(((n))) (m) OWNER-OCCUPIED, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE means any non-multiple unit building containing space for uses such as living, sleeping, preparation of food, and eating that is currently used by one family who owns the property as their domicile. This term includes houses, mobile homes, trailers, detached garages, houseboats, and houses with a "mother-in-law apartment" or "guest room". This term does not include rental property or multiple-family units, nor does this term include any mixed-use building, structure, or installation that contains a residential unit.

(((o) PERSON means any individual, firm, public or private corporation, association, partnership, political subdivision, municipality, or government agency.))

(((p))) (n) RENOVATION means altering a facility or a component in any way, except demolition.

(((q))) (o) SURFACING MATERIAL means material that is sprayed-on, troweled-on, or otherwise applied to surfaces including, but not limited to, acoustical plaster on ceilings, paints, fireproofing materials on structural members, or other materials on surfaces for decorative purposes.

(((r))) (p) SUSPECT ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIAL means material that has historically contained asbestos including, but not limited to, surfacing material, thermal system insulation, roofing material, fire barriers, gaskets, flooring material, and cement siding.

(((s))) (q) THERMAL SYSTEM INSULATION means material applied to pipes, fittings, boilers, tanks, ducts, or other structural components to prevent heat loss or gain.

AMENDATORY SECTION

REGULATION III SECTION 4.03 NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

(a) General Requirements

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow any work on an asbestos project or demolition unless a complete notification, including the required fee and any additional information requested by the Control Officer, has been submitted to the Agency on approved forms, in accordance with the advance notification period requirements contained in Section 4.03(d) of this Regulation.

(1) The duration of an asbestos project shall be commensurate with the amount of work involved.

(2) Notification is not required for asbestos projects involving less than ((10)) 260 linear feet of friable asbestos-containing material on pipes or ((48)) 160 square feet of friable asbestos-containing material on other components (per structure, building, or vessel per calendar year) ((of any asbestos-containing material)). Notification is not required for an asbestos project in an owner-occupied, single-family residence.

(((3) Notification is not required for removal and disposal of the following nonfriable asbestos-containing materials: caulking, window-glazing, or roofing. All other asbestos project and demolition requirements remain in effect except as provided by Article 4.))

(((4))) (3) Notification is required for all demolitions involving structures with a projected roof area greater than 120 square feet, even if no asbestos-containing material is present. ((All other demolition requirements remain in effect.))

(((5))) (4) The written notification shall be accompanied by the appropriate nonrefundable fee as set forth in Section 4.03(d) of this Regulation unless prior arrangements for payment have been made with the Agency.

(((6))) (5) A copy of the notification, all amendments to the notification, the asbestos survey, and any Order of Approval for an alternate means of compliance shall be available for inspection at all times at the asbestos project or demolition site.

(((7))) (6) A property owner may file notification for multiple asbestos projects or demolitions ((Notification for multiple asbestos projects or demolitions may be filed by a property owner)) on one form if all the following criteria are met:

(A) The work will be performed continuously by the same contractor; and

(B) A work plan is submitted that includes: a map of the structures involved in the project including the site address for each structure; the amount and type of friable asbestos-containing material in each structure; and the schedule for performing asbestos project and demolition work. For projects where a detailed work schedule cannot be provided, the asbestos contractor and/or the demolition contractor shall participate in the Agency's work schedule fax program and will continue to participate in the program throughout the duration of the project.

(((8) Annual Notification

A property owner may file one annual notification for asbestos projects to be conducted on one or more structures, vessels, or buildings during each calendar year if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The annual notification shall be filed with the Agency before commencing work on any asbestos project included in an annual notification;

(B) The total amount of asbestos-containing material for all asbestos projects from each structure, vessel, or building in a calendar year under this section is less than 260 linear feet on pipes or less than 160 square feet on other components; and

(C) The property owner submits quarterly written reports to the Control Officer on Agency-approved forms within 15 days after the end of each calendar quarter.))

(b) Amendments

(1) Mandatory Amendments

An amendment shall be submitted to the Control Officer for the following changes in a notification and shall be accompanied by the appropriate nonrefundable fee as set forth in Section 4.03(d) of this Regulation unless prior arrangements for payment have been made with the Agency:

(A) Increases in the project type or job size category that increase the fee ((or change the advance notification period));

(B) Changes in the type of friable asbestos-containing material that will be removed; or

(C) Changes in the start date, completion date, or work schedule, including hours of work. Asbestos contractors or property owners participating in the Agency work schedule fax program are not required to submit amendments for work schedule changes occurring between the start and completion dates.

(2) Optional Amendments

(A) An amendment may be submitted to the Control Officer for any other change in a notification and shall be accompanied by the appropriate nonrefundable fee as set forth in Section 4.03(d) of this Regulation unless prior arrangements for payment have been made with the Agency.

(B) Contractors and property owners participating in the Agency work schedule fax program may, within 45 days after the last completion date on record, submit an amendment to the Control Officer for the removal of additional asbestos-containing material not identified during the asbestos survey. If more than 45 days have lapsed since the last completion date on record, the requirements of Section 4.03(a), including notification periods and fees, shall apply.

(c) Emergencies

The Control Officer may waive the advance notification period, if the property owner submits a written request that demonstrates to the Control Officer that an asbestos project or demolition must be conducted immediately because of any of the following:

(1) There was a sudden, unexpected event that resulted in a public health or safety hazard;

(2) The project must proceed immediately to protect equipment, ensure continuous vital utilities, or minimize property damage;

(3) Asbestos-containing materials were encountered that were not identified during the asbestos survey; or

(4) The project must proceed to avoid imposing an unreasonable burden.

(d) Notification Period and Fees

Project Size or Type Notification Period Fee
Demolition of Owner-Occupied, Single-Family Residence (((asbestos project and/or demolition))) All ((Prior Notice))

10 days

$25
All Other Demolitions with no asbestos project All 10 Days $150
((Asbestos Project includes demolition fee* 10 - 259 linear ft

48 - 159 square ft

3 Days $150))
Asbestos Project includes demolition fee 260 - 999 linear ft

160 - 4,999 square ft

10 Days $300
Asbestos Project includes demolition fee 1,000 - 9,999 linear ft

5,000 - 49,999 square ft

10 Days $750
Asbestos Project includes demolition fee 10,000+((- 49,999)) linear ft

50,000+ ((- 99,999)) square ft

10 Days $2,000
((Asbestos Project includes demolition fee 50,000 - 99,999 linear ft

100,000 - 149,999 square ft

10 Days $5,000
Asbestos Project includes demolition fee 100,000+ linear ft

150,000+ square ft

10 Days $10,000))
Emergency 4.03(c) Prior Notice Add'l fee equal to project fee
Amendment 4.03(b) Prior Notice $50
Alternate Means of Compliance

(((demolitions or friable asbestos containing materials)))

4.06 (((a) or (c))) 10 Days Additional fee equal to project fee
((Alternate Means of Compliance (nonfriable asbestos containing materials) 4.06(b) 10 Days Additional fee equal to project fee
Annual 4.03 (a)(8) Prior Notice $1,500



*Demolitions with asbestos projects involving less than 10 linear feet or less than 48 square feet may submit an asbestos project notification under this project category and will be eligible for the 3-day notification period.))

The Control Officer may waive the asbestos project fee and notification period, by written authorization, for disposal of unused and intact or abandoned (without the knowledge or consent of the property owner) friable asbestos-containing materials. ((All other asbestos project and demolition requirements remain in effect.))

AMENDATORY SECTION

REGULATION III SECTION 4.04 ASBESTOS REMOVAL REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO RENOVATION OR DEMOLITION

(a) Removal of Asbestos Prior to Renovation or Demolition

Except as provided in Section ((4.06(c))) 4.04(c) of this Regulation, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow any demolition or renovation that may disturb friable asbestos-containing material or damage a structure so as to preclude access to friable asbestos-containing material for future removal, without first removing all friable asbestos-containing material in accordance with the requirements of this regulation. Except as provided in Section 4.04(b), nonfriable asbestos-containing materials need not be removed prior to a demolition.

Friable ((A))asbestos-containing material need not be removed from a component if the component can be removed, stored, or transported for reuse without disturbing or damaging the asbestos.

(b) Demolition by Burning

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the burning of any facility for fire training without removing all asbestos-containing material prior to burning. This includes both friable and nonfriable asbestos-containing material.

(((b))) (c) Exception For Hazardous Conditions

Friable ((A))asbestos-containing material need not be removed prior to a demolition or renovation, if the property owner demonstrates to the Control Officer that it is not accessible because of hazardous conditions such as: structures or buildings that are structurally unsound and in danger of imminent collapse, or other conditions that are immediately dangerous to life and health. The property owner must submit the written determination of the hazard by an authorized government official or a licensed structural engineer, and must submit the procedures that will be followed for controlling asbestos emissions during the demolition or renovation and disposal of the asbestos-containing waste material.

AMENDATORY SECTION

REGULATION III SECTION 4.05 PROCEDURES FOR ASBESTOS PROJECTS

(a) Training Requirements

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow any work on an asbestos project unless it is performed by persons trained and certified in accordance with the standards established by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration, or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (whichever agency has jurisdiction) and whose certification is current.

This certification requirement does not apply to asbestos projects conducted as part of a renovation in an owner-occupied, single-family residence performed by the resident owner of the dwelling.

(b) Asbestos Removal Work Practices

Except as provided in Section 4.06 of this Regulation, it shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the removal of friable asbestos-containing material unless all the following requirements are met:

(1) The asbestos project shall be conducted in a controlled area, clearly marked by barriers and asbestos warning signs. Access to the controlled area shall be restricted to authorized personnel only.

(2) If a negative pressure enclosure is employed it shall be equipped with transparent viewing ports, if feasible, and shall be maintained in good working order.

(3) Absorbent, asbestos-containing materials, such as surfacing material and thermal system insulation, shall be saturated with a liquid wetting agent prior to removal. Any unsaturated, absorbent, asbestos-containing materials exposed during removal shall be immediately saturated with a liquid wetting agent.

(4) Nonabsorbent, asbestos-containing materials, such as cement asbestos board ((or vinyl asbestos tile)), shall be continuously coated with a liquid wetting agent on any exposed surface prior to and during removal. Any dry surfaces of nonabsorbent, asbestos-containing materials exposed during removal shall be immediately coated with a liquid wetting agent.

(5) Metal components (such as valves, fire doors, and reactor vessels) that have internal asbestos-containing material are exempt from the requirements of Sections 4.05 (b)(3) and 4.05 (b)(4) if all access to the asbestos-containing material is welded shut or the component has mechanical seals, which cannot be removed by hand, that separate the asbestos-containing material from the environment.

(6) Except for surfacing materials being removed inside a negative pressure enclosure, asbestos-containing materials that are being removed, have been removed, or may have fallen off components during an asbestos project shall be carefully lowered to the ground or a lower floor, not dropped, thrown, slid, or otherwise damaged.

(7) All asbestos-containing waste material shall be sealed in leak-tight containers as soon as possible after removal but no later than the end of each work shift.

(8) All absorbent, asbestos-containing waste material shall be kept saturated with a liquid wetting agent until sealed in leak-tight containers while saturated with a liquid wetting agent. All nonabsorbent, asbestos-containing waste material shall be kept coated with a liquid wetting agent until sealed in leak-tight containers while coated with a liquid wetting agent.

(9) The exterior of each leak-tight container shall be free of all asbestos residue and shall be permanently labeled with an asbestos warning sign as specified by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries or the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

(10) Immediately after sealing, each leak-tight container shall be permanently marked with the date the material was collected for disposal, the name of the waste generator, and the address at which the waste was generated. This marking must be readable without opening the container.

(11) Leak-tight containers shall not be dropped, thrown, slid, or otherwise damaged.

(12) The asbestos-containing waste material shall be stored in a controlled area until transported to an approved waste disposal site.

(((c) Method of Removal for Nonfriable Asbestos-Containing Roofing Material

The following asbestos removal method shall be employed for asbestos-containing roofing material that has been determined to be nonfriable by a Competent Person or an AHERA Project Designer:

(1) The nonfriable asbestos-containing roofing material shall be removed using methods such as spud bar and knife. Removal methods such as sawing or grinding shall not be employed;

(2) Dust control methods shall be used as necessary to assure no fugitive dust is generated from the removal of nonfriable asbestos-containing roofing material;

(3) Nonfriable asbestos-containing roofing material shall be carefully lowered to the ground to prevent fugitive dust;

(4) After being lowered to the ground, the nonfriable asbestos-containing roofing material shall be immediately transferred to a disposal container; and

(5) Each disposal container shall have a sign identifying the material as nonfriable asbestos-containing roofing material.))

AMENDATORY SECTION

REGULATION III SECTION 4.06 ALTERNATE MEANS OF COMPLIANCE

(((a) Friable Asbestos-Containing Material Removal Alternative))

An alternate asbestos removal method may be employed for friable asbestos-containing material if an AHERA Project Designer (who is also qualified as a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Registered Architect, or Professional Engineer) has evaluated the work area, the type of asbestos-containing material, the projected work practices, and the engineering controls, and demonstrates to the Control Officer that the planned control method will be equally as effective as the work practices contained in Section 4.05(b) of this Regulation in controlling asbestos emissions. The property owner or the owner's agent shall document through air monitoring at the exhaust from the controlled area that the asbestos fiber concentrations outside the controlled area do not exceed 0.01 fibers/cc, 8 hour average.

The Control Officer may require conditions in the Order of Approval that are reasonably necessary to assure the planned control method is as effective as that required by Section 4.05(b), and may revoke the Order of Approval for cause.

(((b) Nonfriable Asbestos-Containing Material Removal Alternative

An alternate asbestos removal method may be employed for nonfriable asbestos-containing material if a Competent Person or AHERA Project Designer has evaluated the work area, the type of asbestos-containing material, the projected work practices, and the engineering controls, and demonstrates to the Control Officer that the planned control method will be equally as effective as the work practices contained in Section 4.05(b) of this Regulation in controlling asbestos emissions.

The Control Officer may require conditions in the Order of Approval that are reasonably necessary to assure the planned control method is as effective as that required by Section 4.05(b), and may revoke the Order of Approval for cause.

(c) Leaving Nonfriable Asbestos-Containing Material in Place During Demolition

Nonfriable asbestos-containing material may be left in place during a demolition, if an AHERA Project Designer (who is also qualified as a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Registered Architect, or Professional Engineer) has evaluated the work area, the type of asbestos-containing materials involved, the projected work practices, and the engineering controls, and demonstrates to the Control Officer that the asbestos-containing material will remain nonfriable during all demolition activities and the subsequent disposal of the debris.

The Control Officer may require conditions in the Order of Approval that are reasonably necessary to assure the asbestos-containing material remains nonfriable, and may revoke the Order of Approval for cause.))

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office