NE Asbestos Abatement flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Chrysotile

A serpentine-group asbestos mineral with curly, flexible fibers; it is the most commonly used asbestos type in building materials and accounts for about 95% of U.S. commercial asbestos.

Amphibole asbestos

A group of five straight, needle-like asbestos minerals: amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. They are more biopersistent than chrysotile and pose greater health risks.

Friable asbestos

Asbestos-containing material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Friable materials readily release fibers and are subject to stricter abatement rules.

ACM definition

Asbestos-containing material is any material containing more than 1% asbestos by weight, as determined by polarized light microscopy (PLM) using EPA methods.

Asbestos health effects

Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Diseases typically have a 20- to 40-year latency period after exposure.

Vermiculite insulation

A loose-fill insulation that may be contaminated with tremolite asbestos, especially vermiculite from the Libby, Montana mine. Treat as asbestos-containing unless sampling proves otherwise.

Nebraska notification deadline

Written notification of an asbestos abatement project must be submitted to NDEE at least 10 working days before the project start date, using the state notification form.

Emergency notification

For emergency abatement, notify NDEE by phone or electronic means within 24 hours of the emergency, then submit written notification within 3 working days. Work may begin immediately.

Revised notification

A revised notification is required if the project start date changes or if the amount of asbestos to be removed increases by more than 20% from the original notification.

Record retention

Abatement firms must retain project records, including waste disposal manifests and air monitoring results, for at least 3 years after project completion.

NDEE contact

Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Asbestos Program: (402) 471-2186; 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68521; email [email protected].

Notification contents

Notification must include firm name, supervisor name, project address, start and completion dates, estimated ACM amount, and waste disposal site.

Firm licensing

Asbestos abatement firms must hold a Nebraska asbestos abatement contractor license, which requires proof of training, insurance, and compliance with state regulations.

Individual accreditation

Asbestos workers, supervisors, project designers, and inspectors must complete an EPA-approved or state-approved training course and hold a valid Nebraska asbestos license.

Worker training hours

Initial asbestos worker training is a 4-day (32-hour) course; annual refresher training is 8 hours. Supervisor training is 5 days (40 hours) with 8-hour annual refreshers.

Course provider approval

Accredited course providers must be approved by NDEE and meet EPA Model Accreditation Plan requirements, including instructor qualifications, curriculum, and examination standards.

License renewal

Nebraska asbestos licenses must be renewed annually. Late renewals may require re-examination or additional training.

Out-of-state training

Nebraska recognizes out-of-state training certificates if the course meets EPA MAP requirements, but individuals must still obtain a Nebraska license to work on Nebraska projects.

Financial responsibility

Abatement firms must demonstrate financial responsibility and carry liability insurance; NDEE may deny or revoke a license for violations of asbestos regulations.

Waiver request

A written waiver request from specific work practice requirements must be submitted to NDEE at least 10 working days before project start and must demonstrate equivalent protection.

Emergency project definition

A sudden, unexpected event (e.g., pipe break, fire) that requires immediate abatement to protect public health. Expedited notification rules apply.

Alternative work practices

NDEE may approve alternative methods if they provide equivalent protection and do not increase worker or public exposure. Waivers are project-specific and do not set precedent.

Amended water

Water mixed with a surfactant used as a wetting agent during abatement to suppress fiber release. It is a standard work practice under Nebraska regulations.

Negative pressure enclosures

Containment barriers with HEPA-filtered negative air machines that prevent fiber migration. Alternative practices cannot avoid them unless NDEE approves in writing.

Nebraska Asbestos Control Act

The primary Nebraska statute for asbestos, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 71-6301 to 71-6322, administered by NDEE. It establishes licensing, notification, and enforcement authority.

Title 129 NAC

Nebraska Administrative Code Title 129, Chapters 1 and 2, contains the state asbestos regulations, which adopt and modify the federal NESHAP for asbestos.

NESHAP asbestos

The federal asbestos NESHAP is 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M. It sets work practice standards for demolition and renovation, including 10-day notification, wet removal, and proper disposal.

OSHA asbestos standards

OSHA regulates asbestos under 29 CFR 1926.1101 (construction) and 29 CFR 1910.1001 (general industry), with a permissible exposure limit of 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA.

EPA Region 7

The EPA regional office in Lenexa, Kansas, oversees federal asbestos enforcement in Nebraska and can be contacted for NESHAP compliance questions.

Nebraska Department of Labor

The Nebraska Department of Labor, Office of Safety and Health, enforces OSHA standards for public sector employees in Nebraska.

PEL

Permissible exposure limit: 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc) as an 8-hour time-weighted average under OSHA asbestos standards.

NDEE

Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, the state agency that administers the Nebraska Asbestos Program, including licensing, notification, and enforcement.