Asbestos Handbook

By Ben Teague

The asbestos handbook is written by Ben Teague to fill the void of general information needed for quick reference by anyone dealing with commercial or residential properties. Whether you are a real estate investor, construction contractor or office employee, you will find all the information you need to know about working with asbestos in this asbestos handbook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ben Teague
• Release date: Nov 3, 2015

Ben Teague

Ben Teague has been working in commercial and residential construction for over 30 years, during this time has constructed and/or renovated commercial and residential buildings as a general construction contractor. Ben is skilled in evaluating construction problems, determining solutions to construction deficiencies and providing oversight of the repair process. Ben Teague has performed over 2,000 professional inspections with reports including but not limited to commercial and phase one inspections, environmental asbestos and mold inspections/consultations, construction defect investigations, etc. Ben has experience working as a construction defect litigation support expert witness and has provided professional consultation services, attended mediations and has been deposed and/or testified in court and arbitration on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants regarding construction defects.

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The Asbestos Handbook

© Copyright 2012 by Ben A. Teague

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means (written, electronic, mechanical, recording, photocopy or otherwise) or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author or publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. 

Cover Design: NZ Graphics, Nick Zelinger

E-Book Dsign: Light and Sound Graphics, Nick Taylor

All microscopic photos of asbestos are provided courtesy of RNET LABS, Denver, Colorado

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015940908 Published by

BNTG Books www.ben-teague.com

First Edition

It is illegal to disturb any asbestos-containing material.

Contents

Introduction

1 Frequently Asked Questions

What is asbestos?

So Why Has Asbestos Been So Heavily Regulated?

Has Asbestos Been Banned?

Which Building Materials Contain Asbestos?

Trigger Limits

Who Can Do Asbestos Inspections?

Can Any Contractor Remove or Disturb ACM?

Can Homeowners Remove ACM?

Chrysotile

2 Asbestos Laws

OSHA Regulations and Laws

EPA Regulations and Laws

State Laws

Crocidolite

3 Biggest Violators

Property Owners and Managers

Mold, Flood, and Fire Restoration Contractors

Renovation and Remodelers

Demolition Contractors

Rental Property Owners

Real Estate Investors

Amosite

4 Does Insurance Cover Asbestos?

Renters and Homeowners

Property Managers

Contractors

Anthophyllite

5 Have You Exposed to Asbestos?

Homeowners

Renters and Visitors

Office Employees

Construction Workers

Why Many People Don’t Care About Asbestos

Actinolite/Tremolite

6 Examples – Fines and Jail

Penalties and Prison

Amosite

7 Municipals Responsibilities

Why Didn’t Our Building Department Require Asbestos Inspections Prior to Issuing a Permit for Renovation?

What Liabilities Does the Local Government Face When It Fails To Enforce Asbestos Laws?

For More Information

Introduction

Floods and fires, tornadoes and hurricanes strike America every year, leaving disasters, both big and small, in their wake. Neighbors come out to help one another. People feel good about rising to the challenge— never dreaming that they may be handling toxic, asbestos- laden material—maybe even breaking the law.

In fact, it is illegal to disturb, remove, transport, and dispose of ACM (asbestos-containing materials) unless you are certified, licensed, and permitted by the state and federal governments to do so.

Whether you are a property owner, property manager, insurance agent, or contractor responding to a flood or fire, you could be handling ACM.

Plumbers, electricians and other repair handymen unknowingly disturb asbestos containing building materials every day.

Asbestos regulations are still a mystery to most people, including but not limited to contractors, property managers, real estate investors, commercial building owners, and residential homeowners.

This handbook provides general information about asbestos, the asbestos laws, and how the material and the laws affect everyone.

Many people believe asbestos is banned and is no longer a threat to their