Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used extensively in the middle of the twentieth century for a wide variety of reasons. Asbestos fibers added to materials produced durability, strength, chemical resistance, and heat resistant characteristics for hundreds of items. Current health and environmental regulations address these asbestos containing items in several ways. The mere presence of asbestos containing materials does not necessarily violate current regulations. The appropriate condition and maintenance of asbestos containing materials can only be determined by a state licensed asbestos inspector.

maintains all necessary licenses and training to determine the presence, condition, and appropriate response to asbestos containing materials.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29 CFR 1926.1101(k) requires employers of potentially exposed employees, building and/or facility owners to provide for the communication of asbestos hazards under their responsibility, to prospective sub-employers, employees of the owner, and tenants who will occupy the area. provides a Building Hazard Communication Plan for the owner and training for maintenance personnel.

A problem being encountered since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is that products from Canada that were previously required to be labeled “contains asbestos” and were banned in the United States prior to NAFTA, are now allowed to be sold and used in the US, labeled “contains mineral fibers”. In new construction, architects and contractors should be instructed to exclude Canadian materials that “contain mineral fibers” from the materials specifications or should be tested for asbestos prior to installation. Without this restriction in the materials specifications, new building materials must be suspected to be asbestos-containing and may prevent the site from being considered asbestos free.

provides asbestos inspections testing abatement, and management plans for public, private, and government owned facilities.