Supervisor
The Supervisor domain tests the licensed on-site person in charge of the abatement area. The exam emphasizes daily direction of workers, containment integrity, decontamination, air monitoring coordination, and stop-work authority.
Core rules
- Verify that workers are licensed and trained, and that the containment, critical barriers, and decontamination unit are complete before work begins.
- Maintain negative pressure using HEPA negative-air machines; check gauges and monitors regularly and record readings.
- Enforce wet methods, immediate cleanup, proper bagging, and restricted access.
- Conduct daily inspections of containment, floors, doors, HVAC seals, and decon units. Stop work if containment fails or if workers are exposed.
- Coordinate personal and area air monitoring with the air sampling professional; do not declare clearance yourself unless licensed to do so.
Worked example
A manometer shows the containment is under positive pressure relative to adjacent spaces. The supervisor must stop abatement, check for a failed HEPA unit, open door, torn poly, or HVAC leak, repair the defect, and re-establish negative pressure before workers re-enter. Continuing work would allow fibers to escape.
Traps that cost marks
- Assuming the project manager is the on-site supervisor.
- Supervising from outside the work area without checking containment.
- Ignoring small tears or propped-open doors.
- Allowing workers to skip showering or leave contaminated bags in the clean room.
- Treating a visual inspection as the only clearance requirement.