(a) General training requirements.
(1) The MAP requires that each of the approved training
disciplines be separate and distinct from the others. Training courses
for all disciplines must be in accordance with the MAP, except the
Asbestos Air Monitoring Technician and Texas Asbestos Law and Rules
courses, which are specific to Texas.
(2) Each initial and refresher training course, including
hands-on-training, must be specific to a single discipline and not
combined with other training.
(3) The Asbestos Air Monitoring Technician and Texas
Asbestos Law and Rules courses are DSHS-approved courses and not MAP
courses. To be applied toward DSHS license requirements, each course
must be conducted by a DSHS-licensed asbestos training provider.
(4) A training certificate expires one year after the
date upon which the person successfully completed the course. A person
whose training certificate has expired must not engage in an activity
for which a current training certificate is required under the MAP
or this chapter until the training certificate is renewed. Training
must be renewed annually by completing the appropriate refresher training
course. The initial training course must be repeated if the refresher
training course is not completed within one year after the expiration
date of the training certificate.
(5) Initial and refresher training courses must be
conducted as follows:
(A) one day of training must equal eight hours and
include:
(i) at least 6 hours and 40 minutes of classroom instruction,
hands-on training, and field trips (excluding field trip travel time);
and
(ii) a maximum of 80 minutes for breaks and lunch;
no more than four hours of instruction may be given without at least
a 30-minute break;
(B) one-half day of training must be a minimum of four
hours and include:
(i) at least 3 hours and 40 minutes of classroom instruction;
and
(ii) a maximum of 20 minutes for breaks;
(C) trainees must not attend more than eight hours
of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and field trips in a
24-hour period;
(D) evening instruction must not exceed 4 hours in
any single session; and
(E) the course must be completed within 14 calendar
days after the first class.
(6) A trainee may not complete the course if the trainee
misses more than 10% of a training course.
(7) During hands-on training, each trainee must physically
perform simulated activities specific to the asbestos training discipline.
The simulated activities must not be asbestos-related activities for
which licensure is required. Demonstrations and audiovisuals are not
substitutes for required hands-on training.
(8) The student to instructor ratio during each course
must be as follows:
(A) for initial courses:
(i) hands-on training activities must not exceed 15
to 1;
(ii) worker training course sessions must not exceed
25 to 1; and
(iii) all other training course sessions must not exceed
40 to 1;
(B) for refresher courses, sessions must not exceed
40 to 1.
(9) Methods of instruction.
(A) At least 50% of the classroom instruction must
be presented by the instructor. Instructors must direct and oversee
100% of the hands-on training.
(B) Audiovisual materials are not substitutes for the
instructor-led portion of the class.
(10) All training courses must be taught in English,
except the Asbestos Abatement Worker course. The Asbestos Abatement
Worker course may be taught in another language, provided the instructor
is able to speak, read, and write effectively in that language, and
training materials and examinations are in that same language.
(b) Initial training course requirements.
(1) Asbestos Abatement Worker course. The Asbestos
Abatement Worker course must be at least four training days. This
course must include lectures, demonstrations, at least 14 hours of
hands-on training, individual respirator fit-testing, course review,
and a written examination of 50 multiple-choice questions. Successful
completion of the course will require passing the examination with
a score of at least 70%. The course must adequately address the following
in accordance with the MAP:
(A) the physical characteristics of asbestos, ACBM,
and other ACM;
(B) potential health effects related to asbestos exposure;
(C) employee personal protective equipment;
(D) state-of-the-art work practices;
(E) personal hygiene;
(F) additional safety hazards;
(G) medical monitoring;
(H) air monitoring;
(I) relevant federal, Texas, and local regulatory requirements,
procedures and standards;
(J) establishment of respiratory protection programs
and medical surveillance programs;
(K) hands-on training that includes work area abatement
preparation, decontamination chamber construction, cleaning and disposal,
and respirator fit-testing and maintenance; and
(L) course review.
(2) Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor course. The Asbestos
Contractor/Supervisor course must be at least five training days.
The course must include lectures, demonstrations, at least 14 hours
of hands-on training, individual respirator fit-testing, course review,
and a written examination of 100 multiple-choice questions. Successful
completion of the course will require passing the examination with
a score of at least 70%. The course must adequately address the following
in accordance with the MAP:
(A) the physical characteristics of asbestos, ACBM,
and other ACM;
(B) potential health effects related to asbestos exposure;
(C) employee personal protective equipment;
(D) state-of-the-art work practices;
(E) personal hygiene;
(F) additional safety hazards;
(G) medical monitoring;
(H) air monitoring;
(I) relevant federal, Texas, and local regulatory requirements
and standards;
(J) establishment of respiratory protection programs
and medical surveillance programs;
(K) hands-on training that includes work area abatement
preparation, decontamination chamber construction, cleaning and disposal,
and respirator fit-testing and maintenance;
(L) insurance and liability issues;
(M) recordkeeping for asbestos abatement projects;
(N) supervisory techniques for asbestos abatement activities;
(O) contract specifications; and
(P) course review.
(3) Asbestos Air Monitoring Technician course. The
Asbestos Air Monitoring Technician course must be at least three training
days. The course must include lectures, demonstrations, hands-on individual
respirator fit-testing, course review, and a written examination consisting
of 50 multiple-choice questions. Successful completion of the course
will require passing the examination with a score of at least 70%.
The course must adequately address the following:
(A) the health effects of asbestos exposure including:
(i) the nature of asbestos-related diseases;
(ii) routes of exposure;
(iii) no known safe exposure level;
(iv) the synergistic effect between cigarette smoking
and asbestos exposure;
(v) the latency periods for asbestos-related diseases;
and
(vi) a discussion of the relationship of asbestos exposure
to asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and cancers of other organs;
(B) the following OSHA regulations:
(i) 29 CFR §1910.134 (relating to Respiratory
protection);
(ii) 29 CFR §1910.1001, Appendix A (relating to
OSHA Reference Method--Mandatory);
(iii) 29 CFR §1910.1001, Appendix B (relating
to Detailed Procedure for Asbestos Sampling and Analysis--Non-mandatory);
(iv) 29 CFR §1910.1200 (relating to Hazard communication);
and
(v) 29 CFR §1926.1101 (relating to Asbestos),
OSHA's asbestos standard for the construction industry;
(C) the following sections of this chapter:
(i) §296.21 of this chapter (relating to Definitions);
(ii) §296.54 of this chapter (relating to Asbestos
Air Monitoring Technician);
(iii) §296.211 of this chapter (relating to General
Requirements for Asbestos Abatement in a Public Building);
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