Rhode Island Asbestos : What you need to know

• Rules. Rhode Island does not have a federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program for the state; therefore, private sector workplaces must comply with federal occupational safety and health standards for asbestos. The state has adopted by reference the federal workplace safety and health rules for asbestos in public sector workplaces (state, county, and local government agencies and school systems). The Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) is fully authorized to administer the federal National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) air requirements and conducts inspections to ensure compliance with the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response program.

Unlike the federal rules, the state’s notification requirements apply to all asbestos projects regardless of size. In addition, the state has implemented its own certification and training requirements.

• Administration and enforcement. The Occupational and Radiological Health Division of DOH’s Division of Environmental Health administers and enforces the asbestos NESHAP rules. OSHA administers and enforces federal workplace safety and health requirements in private sector workplaces in the state. DLI administers occupational safety and health rules in public sector workplaces.

Spot repair. A spot repair is any removal, repair, encapsulation, enclosure, or other disturbance that encompasses up to 10 linear feet of asbestos from piping and/or up to 25 square feet of asbestos from any surfaces other than pipes. Large projects divided into smaller segments are not spot repairs.