• About Asbestos
• Building Owners
• Construction Contractors
• Abatement Certification

Construction Contractors' Responsibilities

Disturbing asbestos materials during construction is a serious hazard that all contractors may encounter.

Before bidding or starting any construction work, you are required to obtain a written asbestos report from the building owner or owner's agent. The report must be based on a survey by an accredited AHERA building inspector unless the building owner assumes materials in the structure are asbestos or has other convincing documents showing asbestos is not present in the work area. A building owner may know asbestos has been removed during prior work or that a new building has been constructed using materials ertified to be asbestos free.

If you discover suspect asbestos materials, you must report them to the building owner within 24 hours. Asbestos materials may be found in enclosed structures or between other materials, where they are not accessible before work.

Fines State law specifies a minimum $250 per day fine for failure to obtain the asbestos report. This fine can be applied to both the contractor and building owner. Additional fines may be applied if workers are exposed to airborne asbestos.

 

Laws, Regulation & Policy

• Asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite, Chapter 296-62 WAC, Part I-1.
• Asbestos, Chapter 296-65 WAC.
• Occupational Exposure To Asbestos, WRD 23.10 (2,780 KB PDF / 8 min).
• Asbestos Project Notification, WRD 23.25 (187 KB PDF).
• Asbestos-Containing Joint Compound In Wallboard Systems, WRD 23.30 (146 KB PDF).
• Demolition Of Buildings With Asbestos-Containing Materials, WRD 23.35 (168 KB PDF).
• Mechanical Removal Of Asbestos-Containing Floor Tile, WIIM #97-7-G (97 KB PDF).
• Asbestos Course Provider Audit Policy, WRD 23.50 (128 KB PDF).
• Asbestos Project Inspection Targeting, WRD 2.60 (133 KB PDF).
• Decertification Of Asbestos Abatement Contractors And Supervisors, WIIM #99-1-B (117 KB PDF).

Resources

• L&I Safety and Health Video Library
  • Includes a variety of asbestos-related titles.
• "Working Safely with Asbestos in Brake and Clutch Linings".
  • Pamphlet produced by the SHARP program.
  • For a paper copy of this pamphlet, send an e-mail to clav235@lni.wa.gov
• Contractor-Building Owner Asbestos Info 2006 (53 KB PDF).

Asbestos Project Notification

All asbestos projects involving more than 48 square feet of material (or 10 linear feet of piping or ducting) having potential to release asbestos fibers must be reported to the department 10 days prior to starting.

Notify L&I of your asbestos projects.

For Asbestos Abatement Contractors to fill out and notify L&I of asbestos projects.

Ask an Expert

• If you have questions about asbestos or need assistance, call 360-902-5435 or
  • E-mail a Specialist.
  • Safety & Health Consultants.