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Wisconsin Asbestos Abatement Procedure


Wisconsin asbestos abatement procedure aims to ensure that large scale asbestos abatement is carried out with minimal risk to the health of workers and those close to the worksite.  These regulations and procedures derive from federal laws, but will be subject to regular review by state authorities.  Expect compliance divisions to check worksites for compliance with Wisconsin asbestos abatement procedure and enforce fines and other punishments for those that perform unauthorized abatement.

Who must the contractor notify under Wisconsin law?

According to state law, the contractor must complete an Asbestos Project Notification form, which accounts for the contact information for all parties involves in the asbestos abatement.  The document is four pages and also requires the contractor to account for the procedures used to remove the asbestos, amount and nature of the asbestos as well as plans to transport and dispose of the asbestos containing material.  This form can be filled out online or on paper and faxed to the Department of Health Services.  Contractors will be able to create an account on the DHS website and complete all notification forms through that portal.  Notification is required for asbestos abatement on almost all structures, except residential homes and apartment buildings with four residential units or less.  Notification will cover mandate by both the DHS and Department of Natural Resources.

There will be fees assed for all permits issued and the fees are dependent on the amount of asbestos containing material that will be removed.  You must provide ten working days’ notice before any demolition can take place on a structure.

Pre inspection

You will be expected to secure an asbestos inspector to inspect any property prior to any planned demolition or renovation.  Afterward, the proper notifications will be filed with the appropriate department.  Unoccupied building inspections will be destructive and investigates all possible asbestos containing materials.  Buildings undergoing inspection that are occupied will try to minimize disturbance and the invasiveness of the inspection.Failing to follow Wisconsin asbestos abatement procedure

Failing to follow procedure will subject you to citations from the DNR.  This includes failure to inspect, failure to notify and failure to follow asbestos landfill disposal requirements.

Materials that must be removed

Materials that are more than 1% asbestos by weight and are friable are considered regulated asbestos containing materials that must be removed.  Friable asbestos is a health hazard as its constant degradation releases micro asbestos fibers.  These fibers do not break down in the human body and instead lodge in the lungs.  The continued presence of these fibers leads to cancers and asbestos containing materials.

Friable asbestos will be removed in a sealed area that has its air circulated at least four times in an hour, to prevent a dangerous level of fibers from accumulating.

Disposal

You must notify the disposal site in advance, follow all relevant asbestos regulations and only use sites approved by the Wisconsin DNR.  Generally all friable material that is removed will have to be wetted and double bagged for your protection and the protection of the transporter.

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