Md. Code Regs. 26.11.21.13

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 18, September 6, 2024

Section 26.11.21.13 - Health and Safety Training

A. Application for Approval of a Training Course. A person may apply for approval of a course on the health and safety aspects of asbestos demolition, renovation, and encapsulation for purposes of Regulation .05C of this chapter by submitting a written application on forms provided by the Department.

B. Criteria for Initial Course. In order to obtain or retain Department approval, a person sponsoring a course shall substantially satisfy the following criteria:

(1) Provide a core of 24 hours of instruction reflecting state-of-the-art information on the following topics for supervisors and workers:

(a) Recognition of asbestos, including its characteristics and uses;

(b) Health hazards, including the relationships between asbestos exposure, smoking, and diseases;

(c) Worker protection, including respiratory protection, protective clothing, safety equipment, air monitoring, medical surveillance, and personal hygiene;

(d) Work practices, including area preparation, decontamination, and waste disposal;

(e) A detailed description of respirators and their use and care, including the degree of protection afforded, fitting and testing procedures, and maintenance and cleaning, and including the following:

(i) Airline respirators;

(ii) Powered air purifying respirators;

(iii) Negative pressure respirators; and

(iv) Adjunct equipment for these respirators;

(f) Requirements, procedures, and standards established by the:

(i) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 40 CFR Part 61, Subparts A and M; and

(ii) U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration at 29 CFR Parts 1910.134 and 1926.58.

(2) Divide training classes into work groups consisting of not more than 6 trainees and provide at least 2 hours of hands-on work practices including respirator care and qualitative fit testing, glove bag techniques, state-of-the-art techniques in asbestos abatement, site preparation, and construction of barriers and decontamination enclosure systems.

(3) Provide an additional 8 hours of training beyond the 24 hours core course for those individuals seeking certification as supervisors. The additional 8 hours shall include:

(a) A discussion of work site safety including:

(i) Working conditions-heat, cold, and rest periods;

(ii) Emergency procedures; and

(iii) Hazards associated with heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, water, and electricity;

(b) A discussion of site considerations and preparations including:

(i) Confining and minimizing airborne fibers;

(ii) Site access; and

(iii) Clean-up and disposal, including landfill and transport requirements; and

(c) Liability, including owners, contractors, consultants, workers' compensation, bonding, omissions, and errors.

(4) Ensure that instruction is given or supervised by:

(a) An industrial hygienist who is at least designated an industrial hygienist in training (IHIT) by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene; or

(b) An individual with equivalent education and experience as determined by the Department.

(5) Maintain lists of students trained, the dates on which training occurred, and students' test scores, and make this information available to the Department within 10 days of completion of the training session.

(6) Provide an opportunity for students to complete written course evaluations.

(7) Administer to each student an examination approved by the Department.

(8) Issue to each student who completes the course and successfully passes the examination with a score of at least 70 percent a certificate of completion containing information required by the Department.

(9) Provide to the Department a schedule of dates on which training will be conducted. Ensure that the Department receives this notice at least 5 days before the first course date.

C. Criteria for operations and maintenance (O and M) training courses shall substantially satisfy the following:

(1) Provide at least 6 hours of instruction reflecting state-of-the-art information on the following topics:

(a) Recognition of asbestos, including its characteristics and uses;

(b) Health hazards, including the relationships between asbestos exposure, smoking, and diseases;

(c) Worker protection, including respiratory protection, protective clothing, safety equipment, air monitoring, medical surveillance, and personal hygiene;

(d) Work practices, including area preparation, decontamination, and waste disposal;

(e) A detailed description of respirators and their use and care, including the degree of protection afforded, fitting and testing procedures, and maintenance and cleaning, and including the following:

(i) Air respirators;

(ii) Powered air purifying respirators;

(iii) Negative pressure respirators; and

(iv) Adjunct equipment for these respirators;

(f) Requirements, procedures, and standards established by the:

(i) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 40 CFR Part 61, Subparts A and M;

(ii) Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Program at 29 CFR Part 1910.1001 and 1910.134; and

(iii) Department in this chapter;

(2) Provide each student at least 15 minutes of practical instruction in the use of respirators consisting of individual qualitative fit tests, a demonstration of the proper donning and removal procedure, positive and negative fit checks, and an opportunity to use respirators;

(3) Ensure that instruction is given or supervised by an:

(a) Industrial hygienist who is at least designated an industrial hygienist in training (IHIT) by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene; or

(b) Individual with equivalent education and experience as determined by the Department;

(4) Maintain lists of students trained and the dates on which training occurred, and make this information available to the Department upon request;

(5) Provide an opportunity for students to complete written course evaluations;

(6) Issue to each student who completes the course a certification of attendance containing information required by the Department.

D. Criteria for Review Course. In order to obtain or retain Departmental approval, a person sponsoring a review course shall provide at least 4 hours of instruction adequately addressing the topics in §C(1) of this regulation, and shall substantially satisfy the criteria in §B(2)-(6) of this regulation.

E. Action on an Application for Course Approval.

(1) The Department will acknowledge receipt of an application within 10 working days after receiving the application.

(2) The Department will act on an application within 90 days after it is complete.

(3) The Department will approve a course if the Department determines the course substantially satisfies or will substantially satisfy the criteria in §B or C of this regulation.

(4) The Department may deny or revoke approval of a course if the Department determines the course does not or will not substantially satisfy the criteria in §B or C of this regulation.

(5) Courses to be presented by the private sector which are accredited by the U.S. EPA under AHERA for supervisors or workers may be approved provided the training entity provides proof of U.S. EPA accreditation to the Department and receives prior written approval from the Department.

(6) Training courses presented by one of the U.S. EPA regional training centers and accredited by the U.S. EPA under AHERA for supervisors or workers are approved as meeting the requirements for training programs under this section.

Md. Code Regs. 26.11.21.13

Regulation .13 amended effective July 16, 1990 (17:11 Md. R. 1345)