In order to ensure that all asbestos workers are properly trained to perform asbestos work so as to protect occupants of buildings and private residences and the general public from exposure to asbestos, training programs shall be certified by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

(1) Asbestos training programs shall be certified annually by the Department.

(2) The Board shall establish by regulation criteria for approval of training programs, including but not limited to, instructors, curricula and examinations.

(3) Certification shall be valid for one (1) year. The annual fee shall be three hundred ($300.00) dollars.

(4) Initial training and review courses shall be taught by technically qualified individuals.

(5) Asbestos training programs shall issue a training certificate to persons who complete an initial training or review course.

(6) The successful completion of a training course shall include passage of a written examination.

(7) An initial training course shall provide at least thirty-two (32) hours of instruction. Classroom instruction shall include, but not be limited to, the following topics:

(a) recognition of asbestos material, including its physical character and uses;

(b) health hazards of asbestos, including the relationship between asbestos exposure, smoking and disease;

(c) permissible asbestos exposure limits established or recommended by OSHA, NIOSH, and other agencies or professional organizations;

(d) worker protection, including respiratory protection, protective clothing, decontamination procedures, air monitoring, medical surveillance, and personal hygiene;

(e) the use and care of respirators, including the protection afforded, fitting and testing procedures, maintenance and cleaning;

(f) work practices, including work area preparation, procedures and equipment for reducing airborne asbestos fibers, waste clean-up and disposal, and work area decontamination;

(g) the requirements, procedures, and standards of the Department;

(h) negative air pressure systems and procedures.

(8) In addition to classroom instruction, an initial training course shall provide at least sixteen (16) hours of actual experience in asbestos work practices through a simulated asbestos project and individual instruction and practice in the use and fit testing of respirators.

(9) A review course shall provide at least eight (8) hours of review of topics covered in the initial training course, incorporating any new developments in asbestos abatement procedures and equipment.

(10) The Department of Licenses and Inspections, upon a finding of noncompliance by the Department, shall deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a certification of any asbestos training program in accordance with the finding of the Department. Such action by the Department of Licenses and Inspections may be appealed to the Board of Licenses and Inspections Review in accordance with its procedures.