Asbestos

Effective: Moved to Policy Library from UPM 12.12(27)
Contact: Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)

Introduction

Building renovation and demolition projects that involve the disturbance of asbestos containing materials fall under the regulatory requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Asbestos abatement contractors working on campus are required to make a notification to the Iowa Division of Labor Services prior to beginning abatement as a requirement of their license when any asbestos work is to be performed. The department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) maintains a database of the known locations of asbestos-containing materials.

Policy Statement

Renovations

EH&S must be contacted to test affected areas prior to beginning projects that involve the disturbance of building materials or the modification of mechanical systems (heating/cooling systems, water lines, etc.).

Demolitions

If an Iowa State University building is to be demolished, inspections for hazardous materials must be documented and a notification form must be mailed to the IDNR and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, before demolition is initiated. The notification must be made 10 working days prior to commencing work. Contact EH&S for further information.

Notifications

EH&S will coordinate the required EPA and IDNR notices prior to the project's start date. Notifications to these agencies must be submitted a minimum of 10 working days prior to beginning asbestos abatement or building demolition.

Damaged materials

EH&S must be notified of any damaged suspect materials. EH&S will identify and facilitate the repair or removal of asbestos-containing materials.

Floor tile and floor tile mastic

During renovations existing asbestos floor tile must not be covered with new renovation elements. Existing asbestos floor tile may be covered with new flooring materials that use low-tack or no adhesive components. Asbestos-containing floor tile adhesive will be removed when the floor tile is removed unless EH&S give its express permission for an exception.

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