AR Asbestos Abatement cheat sheet

Arkansas requires asbestos abatement contractors, supervisors, and workers to be licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).

License applications must include proof of training from an ADH-approved course and payment of the required fee.

Licenses are renewable annually; renewal requires completion of refresher training and payment of renewal fees.

ADH may deny, suspend, or revoke a license for violations of asbestos regulations or for fraud in obtaining the license.

Contractors must maintain records of licensure and training for all employees and make them available upon request.

A licensed supervisor must be on-site at all times during abatement activities.

Workers must carry their license or a copy while performing abatement.

ADH maintains a public list of licensed asbestos abatement contractors and individuals.

A Notice of Intent (NOI) must be submitted to ADH at least 10 working days before starting any asbestos abatement project.

NOI must include project location, start and end dates, contractor name and license number, and estimated quantity of asbestos-containing material.

Emergency abatement may begin immediately, but ADH must be notified by phone within 24 hours and a written NOI submitted within 3 working days.

ADH reviews NOI for completeness and may request additional information; work cannot begin until NOI is accepted.

Amendments to the NOI are required if the start date changes or if the scope of work changes significantly.

A copy of the NOI must be posted at the work site and made available to ADH inspectors.

NOI submission fees are based on the amount of asbestos-containing material to be removed.

ADH may deny an NOI if the contractor's license is not in good standing or if the plan does not meet regulatory requirements.

ADH inspectors conduct unannounced inspections of abatement and demolition sites to verify compliance with regulations.

Inspectors check for proper containment, negative air pressure, and use of wet methods and HEPA vacuums.

Workers must wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including respirators and disposable coveralls.

Inspectors verify that air monitoring is conducted and that clearance air samples meet the required standard (0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter).

Waste must be bagged in leak-proof containers, labeled, and transported to an approved landfill.

Inspectors review waste shipment records and disposal manifests.

Violations may result in stop-work orders, fines, or license suspension.

Inspectors may collect bulk samples to verify the presence of asbestos and the adequacy of removal.

Arkansas offers grant funding to eligible entities for asbestos abatement in public buildings and schools.

Eligible applicants include local governments, school districts, and certain non-profit organizations.

Grant funds may cover costs of abatement, inspection, and project management, but not routine maintenance.

Applications are evaluated based on need, urgency, and the applicant's ability to match funds.

A match of at least 10% of total project cost is typically required.

Grant recipients must comply with all ADH regulations and allow inspections.

Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis after work is completed and verified.

ADH administers the grant program and provides technical assistance to applicants.

ADH provides technical assistance and educational materials on asbestos safety to the public and regulated community.

ADH approves asbestos training courses that meet EPA/AHERA requirements.

Training providers must submit course curricula and instructor qualifications for approval.

Workers and supervisors must complete an approved initial training course and annual refresher training.

ADH conducts outreach to inform the public about asbestos hazards and safe practices.

ADH offers guidance on how to identify and report improper asbestos removal.

Training records must be kept for at least 3 years and made available to ADH upon request.

ADH may conduct audits of training providers to ensure compliance with approval criteria.