Asbestos Removal Certification Training

Test Requirements

• AHERA requirements define a Model Accreditation Plan (MAP). The MAP requirements include five training areas: worker, contractor, planner, designer and inspector. Any state training must be just as stringent and include all the areas of the EPA's model plan. General training includes safety precautions, including the proper use of protective attire and equipment and best practices for limiting asbestos exposure to the surrounding area. Management portions of the training includes disposal plans.

Prerequisites

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a hazardous materials worker, including workers handling asbestos, must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Workers should have basic math capabilities to calculate the proper mixing of solutions and possess good physical abilities, including at least average strength and dexterity.

Training

• Training for asbestos removal involves about 40 hours of on-the-job training. The training must meet the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health and Administration and EPA. Training for asbestos removal is often coupled with lead-removal training. The employer training is responsible for covering all safety and technical subjects outlined by the OSHA regulations.

Refresher Training

• The EPA requires annual refresher training. The refresher course can be administered online by any state in a way that meets MAP guidelines. It can also be administered by any private company licensed by any state that meets MAP guidelines.

Jobs

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 42,500 people hold hazardous material jobs in the United States. Most jobs are in the waste management field, with about 5 percent in the hazardous material field in construction. Employment opportunities was expected to increase 15 percent between 2008 and 2018.