Asbestos Abatement - Ohio Department of Health Asbestos Program
This domain tests Ohio's asbestos abatement framework: the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) licensing program under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3710 and Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-34, and how it fits with the Ohio EPA's NESHAP notification rules in OAC Chapter 3745-20. Expect questions on who must be licensed, what must be notified and when, required work practices, clearance, and records.
Licensing
ODH licenses the abatement contractor and the individuals who perform or supervise the work. Depending on the task, personnel hold an abatement specialist (worker), project supervisor, evaluation specialist (inspector), or air-quality technician license. Licenses are annual; renewal depends on current training and a complete application. An unlicensed person may not perform abatement or carry out regulated inspections.
Notification
Ohio EPA (or the local air pollution control agency) requires written renovation/demolition notification at least 10 working days before work begins when the project involves regulated asbestos-containing material above the NESHAP threshold: 260 linear feet on pipes, 160 square feet on other surfaces, or 35 cubic feet. ODH licensing is separate and always required.
Work practices and clearance
Containment with critical barriers, negative-pressure HEPA units, wet methods, immediate bagging of waste, and a functioning decontamination unit are standard. A licensed supervisor must be on site. Clearance requires a thorough visual inspection first, then air sampling; failing either means reclean and retest.
Worked example
A crew will remove 300 linear feet of asbestos pipe insulation from an office building. Because 300 exceeds 260 linear feet, Ohio EPA notification is required 10 working days ahead. ODH-licensed workers and a licensed supervisor must be on site, containment and negative pressure established, and clearance documented after visual inspection.
Traps
- Treating the Ohio EPA notification as a substitute for ODH licensing.
- Counting 10 calendar days instead of 10 working days.
- Sampling air before passing visual inspection.
- Using dry sweeping or a non-HEPA vacuum.