Asbestos fibers are strong, durable, resist heat, acids, and friction, and are practically indestructible. Due to these properties, asbestos was often combined with other materials for use in industry and construction.
Asbestos becomes a health hazard when these materials disintegrate, collapse, or are otherwise disturbed. Asbestos fibers break up easily into tiny particles that can be easily swallowed or inhaled embedding deeply in the lungs.
Asbestos is dangerous for you and your family to breathe. Make sure it's removed properly! It’s the law for every project to have materials tested before having them removed.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Asbestos Information
Notice to Contractors
Requirements for Contractors Doing Demolition or Renovation in Colorado
Required Asbestos Inspection
Required Removal (Abatement)
Asbestos Checklist
Contact
Notice to Contractors
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) makes you, as a contractor, responsible for protecting your employees from hazardous asbestos. Asbestos is frequently found on the following kinds of jobs: remodeling, renovation, boiler work, plumbing and heating, demolition and maintenance services.
According to the OSHA guidelines, contractors are responsible for being knowledgeable about an asbestos problem and for dealing with it
appropriately when it is encountered. Work stoppage due to negligence when it comes to asbestos can be costly. But the risks associated with asbestos - both health and liability make it necessary to attend to the problem.
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Requirements for Contractors Doing Demolition or Renovation in Colorado
State and federal laws apply to any demolition, renovation, remodel, etc. - even a small or partial one. We want to make sure the law does not delay anyone in getting a permit. If you have more questions after you read this, please call Jannette Whitcomb, Environmental Health Program Coordinator, at 920-5069.
There are two main requirements:
- Hire a State Certified Asbestos Inspector to test for asbestos.
- If asbestos is found, hire a State Certified Asbestos Abatement Company to properly remove any asbestos.
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Required Asbestos Inspection
In every building, before any remodel involving removing 160 sq ft (commercial) or 32 sq ft (residential) or more of material (excluding concrete, bricks, and steel), a state certified asbestos inspector must conduct an inspection.
This means if you're doing a demolition and it involves drywall, ceiling tile, ceiling panels, floor tile, coved baseboard, acoustic tile, carpet, plaster, stucco, roofing material, etc., it must be tested by an individual licensed to do asbestos testing before removal can occur. The asbestos test report is required before you can get a building permit.
Please be sure to allow enough time for the inspection, sample collection, sample analysis, and to have the report written.
If there is no asbestos found, the demolition can proceed.
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Required Removal (Abatement)
If asbestos is present (at 1% or more), it must be removed by a state certified asbestos abatement contractor. The asbestos must be disposed of in a licensed landfill. A state asbestos abatement permit must be obtained by the abatement contractor. You will need the abatement contractor to write a letter for your records stating that the asbestos was properly removed and that the air is free of asbestos. At this point, the building permit can be issued.
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Contact
Please contact Jannette Whitcomb at 970-920-5069 with any asbestos related questions.
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