IDEM regulates demolition and renovation operations, training and licensing for asbestos professionals, open burning, and solid waste disposal.
Demolition and Renovation Operations
Demolitions are the wrecking or taking out of any load-supporting structures of a facility together with any related handling operations or the intentional burning of a facility. Renovations are the altering of a facility or one or more of a facility's components in any way, including the stripping or removal of regulated asbestos-containing materials from a facility component together with any related handling operations.
The rules for demolition/renovation operations are found in the Indiana Administrative Code at Title 326, Article 14, Rule 10 (326 IAC 14-10 [PDF]) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants at Title 40, Parts 61, Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 61).
A facility undergoing a demolition or renovation must comply with requirements for:
A facility is:
- A school building.
- Schools also must comply with federal asbestos regulations for schools.
- An institutional, commercial, public, or industrial building or residential structure, installation or building (including those containing condominiums or individual dwelling units operated as a residential cooperative).
- Exemptions: Noncommercial residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units (e.g., homes) are exempt from asbestos emission rules, but owners still must comply with opening burning and waste disposal rules, and local ordinances. Details and resources are on the Exemptions page.
- A ship.
- An inactive or active waste disposal site.
Training and Licensing for Asbestos Professionals
All persons working with asbestos (inspectors, workers, project supervisors, management planners, project designers, and contractors) must attend Indiana-approved training and be licensed in Indiana.
Indiana asbestos training course providers must be approved by IDEM.
To find and verify the license status of Indiana-licensed asbestos professionals, including inspectors and contractors, use the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency’s free Search and Verify database.
The rules for training and licensing are found at 326 IAC 18 [PDF].
Open Burning
Federal and state regulations strictly prohibit the open burning of asbestos. The federal and state regulations for open burning are found in 40 CFR 61 and 326 IAC 4 [PDF].
Solid Waste Disposal
All businesses and citizens must properly dispose of waste that contains regulated asbestos-containing material. State solid waste rules are found at 329 IAC 10 [PDF]. Federal rules are found at 40 CFR 61, Subpart M, 61.145.
IDEM Does Not Regulate:
Local Ordinances
IDEM does not have authority to oversee or enforce local ordinances, but property owners must inquire about and comply with local ordinances.
Federal Asbestos Regulations for Schools
IDEM does not oversee the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), which requires school officials to inspect their schools for asbestos-containing building material, prepare management plans, and take action to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implements and enforces AHERA. The U.S. EPA Asbestos site explains AHERA requirements and provides resources for schools and parents, including contact information.
Workplace Safety and Health
IDEM does not oversee workplace safety and health laws. INSafe, a division of the Indiana Department of Labor, enforces the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Owners and operators of demolition and renovation operations, professional automotive repair shops, and other regulated entities must comply with OSHA standards. Example requirements include:
- Demolition and Renovation: Employee exposure monitoring, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respiratory protection, warning signs, decontamination and lunch areas, safety training and recordkeeping.
- Automotive Clutch and Brake Inspection, Disassembly, Repair, and Assembly Operations: Methods such as negative pressure enclosure/HEPA vacuum system, low pressure/wet cleaning, wet, or equivalent methods.
- Home mechanics are not required to follow OSHA work practices, but by following current best practices for preventing asbestos exposure they can minimize potential exposure to asbestos if it is present in automotive parts and reduce their risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.
For more information, request a free and confidential health and safety consultation from INSafe or consult the OSHA website.