Asbestos Safety

The Asbestos Safety course from the American Institute of Safety Professionals provides comprehensive training on identifying, managing, and working safely around asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer — diseases that develop 10–40 years after exposure and are almost always fatal. Despite being largely banned from new construction, asbestos remains present in millions of buildings constructed before the 1980s: insulation, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roofing, pipe wrap, joint compound, and dozens of other materials. Any renovation, maintenance, or demolition that disturbs these materials can release asbestos fibres.

The curriculum covers OSHA 1926.1101 (construction) and 1910.1001 (general industry), ACM identification (suspect materials, building surveys, sampling), OSHA work classifications (Class I through IV and housekeeping), regulated areas, exposure monitoring (PEL 0.1 f/cc, excursion limit 1.0 f/cc), engineering controls (wet methods, negative pressure enclosures, HEPA filtration), respiratory protection (APR with P100 minimum, supplied air for Class I), medical surveillance, EPA NESHAP notification and disposal, and the training requirements for each classification. All training is delivered 100% online through the American Institute of Safety Professionals LMS. Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate, wallet card, and transcript, employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify suspect ACM in pre-1980s buildings: thermal system insulation, floor tiles, ceiling materials, roofing, pipe wrap, joint compound, and the presumption that suspect materials are ACM until proven otherwise by laboratory analysis.
• Apply OSHA work classifications: Class I (removal of TSI and surfacing ACM), Class II (removal of non-TSI/surfacing — floor tiles, roofing, siding), Class III (repair and maintenance likely to disturb ACM), Class IV (housekeeping in areas with ACM), and the controls required for each.
• Implement exposure controls: wet methods, negative pressure enclosures for Class I, HEPA-filtered local exhaust, glovebag technique, mini-enclosures, and the engineering controls that prevent fibre release.
• Apply respiratory protection: P100 APR minimum, supplied air for Class I and high-exposure scenarios, fit testing, and the respiratory protection programme per 1910.134.
• Manage regulated areas: establishing and delineating regulated areas, access restriction, decontamination procedures, and the controls that prevent fibre migration beyond the work area.
• Comply with EPA NESHAP: pre-demolition/renovation notification, emission controls, waste packaging and labelling, and transport to approved disposal facilities.

Core Curriculum Topics

• ACM Identification: suspect materials, surveys, sampling, presumption
• OSHA Classifications: Class I/II/III/IV, controls for each
• Exposure Limits: PEL 0.1 f/cc, excursion 1.0 f/cc, monitoring methods
• Engineering Controls: wet methods, enclosures, HEPA, glovebags
• Respiratory Protection: P100, supplied air, fit testing, programme
• Regulated Areas: establishment, access, decontamination
• Medical Surveillance: chest X-ray, pulmonary function, history, frequency
• EPA NESHAP: notification, emission controls, waste disposal
• Training Requirements: initial and annual, content per classification
• Competent Person: duties, authority, training

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Maintenance workers in pre-1980s buildings
• Renovation and demolition workers
• Abatement contractors
• Safety officers managing asbestos programmes
• Building managers of older facilities
• Anyone who may disturb ACM during their work

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