Wis. Admin. Code Department of Health Services § DHS 159.31 - Curriculum requirements for asbestos worker initial course

The initial training course for the asbestos worker discipline shall be 4 training days in length. Course instruction shall include lecture supplemented by audiovisual materials, learning exercises and activities; at least 14 hours of hands-on skills training and practice; course review with time to answer questions; a written course test that meets the requirements under s. DHS 159.22(16); and time to assist students to complete the department application for certification. Course instruction for the asbestos worker initial training course shall address all of the following:

(1) ASBESTOS CHARACTERISTICS. Physical characteristics of asbestos, including all of the following:

(a) Identification of asbestos.

(b) Aerodynamic characteristics.

(c) Typical uses of asbestos-containing materials.

(d) Physical appearance.

(e) Overview of abatement control options.

(2) HEALTH EFFECTS. Potential health effects related to asbestos exposure, including all of the following:

(a) The nature of asbestos-related diseases.

(b) Routes of exposure.

(c) Dose-response relationship and the lack of a safe exposure level.

(d) Synergistic effect between cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure.

(e) Latency periods for asbestos-related diseases.

(f) Relationship of asbestos exposure to asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and cancers of other organs.

(3) PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. The use of personal protective equipment, including all of the following:

(a) Classes and characteristics of respirators, including respirator protection factors.

(b) Limitations of respirators.

(c) Proper respirator selection, inspection, donning, use, maintenance, and storage procedures.

(d) Selection of cartridges.

(e) Methods for field testing of the facepiece-to-face seal, including positive and negative pressure fit checks.

(f) Qualitative and quantitative fit testing procedures.

(g) Variability between field and laboratory protection and factors that alter respirator fit, such as facial hair.

(h) Components of a proper respiratory protection program and employer responsibilities.

(i) Selection and use of disposable and non-disposable personal protective clothing.

(j) Regulations covering personal protective equipment.

(k) A demonstration of donning, fit checking and fit testing.

(L) Hands-on skills training and practice in the following:

1. Selecting proper respirators and cartridges.

2. Inspecting, disassembling, cleaning and assembling half-face respirators.

3. Donning and doffing personal protective clothing.

(4) ABATEMENT PROJECT WORK PRACTICES. State-of-the-art work practices for asbestos abatement projects, including all of the following:

(a) Assessment of the work area, including site preparation considerations.

(b) Isolating the work area, preparation and set-up, including:

1. Proper construction and maintenance of barriers, containments, and decontamination enclosure systems.

2. Positioning of warning signs.

3. Lock-out of electrical and ventilation systems.

(c) Proper abatement work techniques to minimize fiber release, including:

1. Use of wet methods.

2. Use of negative pressure ventilation equipment.

3. Use of HEPA vacuums.

4. Work practices for removal, encapsulation, enclosure and repair.

5. Glove bag use and methods.

6. Recommended and prohibited work practices.

7. Encapsulation, enclosure, and repair of asbestos-containing material.

8. Recommended and prohibited work practices.

(d) Proper worksite cleanup, waste handling and decontamination, including:

1. Proper clean-up and disposal procedures.

2. Use of HEPA vacuums.

3. Transport and disposal procedures.

4. Proper donning and doffing of personal protective clothing and respirators in decontamination units.

(e) Other asbestos worksite issues, including:

1. Emergency procedures for sudden releases.

2. Potential exposure situations on the job.

(f) Hands-on skills training and practice in the following:

1. Constructing containment and decontamination systems.

2. Positioning warning signs.

3. Proper use of HEPA vacuums.

4. Proper use of negative air machines.

5. Waste handling and disposal.

6. Using wet methods.

7. Proper glove-bagging techniques.

(5) PERSONAL HYGIENE. Personal hygiene, including all of the following:

(a) Entry and exit procedures for the work area.

(b) Proper use of showers.

(c) Avoidance of eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum or tobacco in the work area.

(d) Potential exposures, such as family exposure.

(6) OTHER SAFETY HAZARDS. Additional safety hazards encountered during abatement activities and how to deal with them, including all of the following:

(a) Electrical hazards.

(b) Heat stress.

(c) Air contaminants other than asbestos.

(d) Fire and explosion hazards.

(e) Scaffold and ladder hazards.

(f) Slips, trips and falls.

(g) Confined spaces.

(7) MEDICAL MONITORING. Medical monitoring, including worker protection requirements under OSHA and EPA for physical examinations, pulmonary function tests, chest x-rays and medical history for each employee.

(8) AIR MONITORING. Air monitoring, including all of the following:

(a) Procedures to determine airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers.

(b) Personal air sampling procedures.

(c) Reasons for personal air monitoring and understanding air monitoring results.

(9) ASBESTOS REGULATIONS. Asbestos-related regulations for workers, including all of the following:

(a) Overview of federal, state and local government agencies that regulate asbestos removal.

(b) Overview of EPA regulations for asbestos in schools under subpart E and EPA national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants under subparts A and M.

(c) OSHA asbestos construction standard under , hazard communication standard under , and respiratory protection under .

(d) Current state asbestos-related regulations of the department of safety and professional services, department of natural resources, and this chapter, including asbestos training and certification requirements, procedures for submitting an application for certification, required fees, and provisional certification.

Notes

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Health Services § DHS 159.31

CR 08-036: cr. Register February 2009 No. 638, eff. 5-1-09; correction in (9) (d) made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 6, Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673.