Asbestos and Lead Information for Building Professionals

The Health Department accredits training courses for asbestos and lead disciplines. Asbestos and lead contractors must have up-to-date training from an accredited training provider before they can be licensed to work in Vermont. If you want to be licensed in Vermont, check the table of approved online courses below. These online classes are approved as interim alternatives to in-person classroom training.

If the training you want to take is not on the table below, contact the Asbestos and Lead Regulatory Program before taking the online training course to confirm that it has been approved and meets the requirements in Vermont.

Historically, only in-person classes have been accredited by the Health Department, but many training providers are considering online learning opportunities for asbestos and lead disciplines. If you are a training provider who is planning an online training course to license Vermont asbestos or lead contractors, you must submit the following to [email protected] for review and approval before it can be offered:

• Information to the on the course
• Course syllabus
• List of instructors
• Details about the hands-on training segment
• Details on the course exam

Asbestos

No one may renovate or demolish a building or other structure or a portion of a it without first getting confirmation from the owner that an asbestos assessment has been completed according to the conditions outlined below. The assessment must be conducted by a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector.

If no asbestos-containing materials are found:

• Notify the Health Department within 10 working days before the demolition begins by filling out the Vermont Building Demolition Notification Form. The Health Department does not need to be notified of renovation work if no asbestos-containing materials are found.

If asbestos-containing materials are found, and these materials will be disturbed due to the renovation or demolition, then:

• Asbestos-containing materials must be removed by a Vermont-licensed asbestos abatement entity before the renovation or demolition.
• The asbestos abatement entity must notify the Health Department at least 10 working days before the project begins by filing an application for permit and fee (see the Asbestos Abatement Permits section below).

Required Instructions and Fact Sheets

• Required Notice Instructions for All Demolition and Renovation Activities
• Planning for Renovations and Demolitions Fact Sheet
• Asbestos and Fire Damage Cleanups Fact Sheet
• Fire Training Fact Sheet (Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation)

Federal Notification Form

• Notification of Demolition and Renovation Form and instructions for the Asbestos Demolition/Renovation Notification Form

Asbestos Abatement Permits

If you are a Vermont-licensed asbestos abatement company and want to begin work on an asbestos abatement project, you must submit an asbestos abatement permit application to the Health Department using the licensing and permitting portal. Only the company's primary contacts can submit the permit application on behalf of the company. To be assigned a primary contact for your company, create an account on the portal, then email [email protected].

Small Scale Short Duration Asbestos Abatement Activities

Small Scale Short Duration (SSSD) abatement activities include any asbestos abatement activity that encompasses up to and including:

• 10 linear feet of asbestos-containing materials located on pipes

OR

• 10 square feet of asbestos-containing materials from any surface within the abatement area within a facility

Projects divided up into smaller segments are asbestos abatement projects and not SSSD activities.

All SSSD abatement activities must be performed by a trained and Vermont-certified asbestos worker or supervisor. A Vermont licensed asbestos abatement company must submit the SSSD Notification Form to the Health Department using the form on the licensing and permitting portal within 48 hours of completing the SSSD abatement activity.

Lead

If you are a Vermont-licensed lead abatement company and want to begin work on a lead abatement project, you must submit a lead abatement permit application to the Health Department using the licensing and permitting portal. Only the company's primary contacts can submit the permit application on behalf of the company. To be assigned a primary contact for your company, create an account on the portal, then email [email protected].

Asbestos

IRC Practices do not apply to asbestos.

Lead

The Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law requires owners of residential rental buildings and child care facilities built before 1978 to do IRC Practices to help prevent people from being poisoned by lead. IRC Practices are relatively inexpensive maintenance activities that reduce lead-based paint hazards.

IRC Practices must be performed by an IRC Practices-certified person. You must attend a Health Department approved IRC Practices class to become certified. Classes are generally available at no cost at various locations throughout Vermont on a continual basis. Find an IRC Practices training class

Additionally, all maintenance and renovation of rental properties and child care facilities built before 1978 must comply with the Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law. Learn more about IRC Practices and the Vermont Lead Poisoning Prevention Law

Asbestos

Under Vermont law, only licensed contractors are allowed to perform asbestos abatement activities and must follow the regulations regarding the handling and disposing of asbestos-containing materials.

Lead

Under Vermont law, contractors are required to use lead-safe work practices.

Asbestos

Worker safety is addressed in the:

• Vermont Regulations for Asbestos Control
• EPA Worker Protection Standard
• OSHA Asbestos Standards
• Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) Rules and Regulations

Lead

Worker safety is addressed in the:

• Vermont Regulations for Lead Control
• Federal OSHA safety rules
• Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) Rules and Regulations