Emergency Projects
(a) Air Sampling and Analysis. Air sampling and analysis on
emergency asbestos projects shall be conducted in accordance with the
requirements of NYS Code 56 (9/5/06)(b) Where Allowed. Permissible under this Section are only those projects that are deemed by the Commissioner or his or her duly authorized representative as being necessary to respond to an unexpected, unanticipated or unforeseen occurrence, including but not limited to, an incidental disturbance of ACM, PACM or asbestos material, a steam, chemical, gas or water line rupture, or boiler failure or a building/structure collapse, which poses
(1) an imminent danger to the health and safety of the public or
(2) an asbestos related risk to the health and safety of the public from release of airborne asbestos fibers.
(c) Licensing and Certification. Emergency asbestos projects conducted shall comply with the requirements of NYS Code 56.
(d) Notification. Prior to the commencement of an emergency asbestos project, the asbestos abatement contractor shall comply with the emergency asbestos project notification requirements set forth in NYS Code 56.
(e) Approved Emergency Project. If permission to proceed as an emergency asbestos project is granted all work done on the project must be performed in a manner consistent with the conditions of NYS Code 56.. If the asbestos project will be completed using alternative procedures defined within a site-specific variance, the approved variance decision must be obtained prior to proceeding with the asbestos project. If permission to proceed with the emergency asbestos project is denied, all work shall be performed in accordance with all applicable provisions of NYS Code 56.
(f) Corrective Actions for Incidental Disturbance of Asbestos Containing Materials:
(1) Upon discovery, the affected area shall be cordoned off with barrier tape at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet from the outer most limit of the disturbance. This shall be considered the regulated abatement work area for the cleanup of the disturbed materials. The regulated abatement work area shall be immediately cordoned off and adequate signage shall be posted as described in NYS Code 56. After evaluation and emergency notification for the incidental disturbance the following applies:
(i) A minimum of a Small project decontamination system enclosure, which may be remote from the work area, shall be installed and utilized for the asbestos project. For interior regulated abatement work areas, critical barriers shall be installed, or an appropriately sized tent enclosure shall be installed to serve as an isolation barrier, dependent upon the size and configuration of the area disturbed. Then negative air ventilation systems shall be established.
(ii) For outdoor regulated abatement work areas, all adjacent building openings within twenty-five (25) feet of the outermost limit of the disturbance shall be sealed with two (2) layers of six (6) mil fire retardant plastic sheeting.
(2) Tent enclosures, if necessary, shall be constructed to surround the area of disturbance. The tent shall be sealed to the surfaces beyond the limits of contamination, and those surfaces of the tent enclosure (wall, ceiling, or floor) shall not require plastic sheeting. An attached airlock is required.
(3) Due to the nature of this work, background air samples shall not be required but should be sampled if possible prior to the cleanup of the ACM by the contractor.
(4) Wet methods shall be employed to minimize further disturbance of the affected material during cleanup activities. No removal of undisturbed ACM, PACM or asbestos material shall be allowed during the incidental disturbance cleanup emergency asbestos project.
(5) Visual Inspection. Once final cleaning is complete, a visual inspection shall be completed by the asbestos abatement contractor's supervisor and a Clean Air Testing Labs, Inc., technician to confirm that the scope of abatement work for the asbestos project is complete, and no visible debris/residue, pools of liquid, or condensation remain.