Asbestos: EPA's Asbestos Accreditation Program Requirements Need Strengthening
RCED-91-86
Published: May 09, 1991. Publicly Released: Jun 06, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the training and accreditation of asbestos inspection and abatement personnel, focusing on the: (1) status of state accreditation programs; and (2) adequacy of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Model Accreditation Plan.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| To ensure that each state's asbestos accreditation program is designed in accordance with the EPA model program and covers at least all five EPA disciplines, Congress should consider requiring EPA approval of state accreditation programs, providing incentives to the states to assist them in starting programs, and setting a new deadline for the states to establish accreditation programs. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
No congressional action has been taken or planned. Congress does not want to pass legislation making this a requirement, but it would rather rely on the states' voluntary participation in the program. A majority of the states have already received EPA approval of their state accreditation programs. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | To ensure the availability of qualified and experienced individuals to perform asbestos abatement activities properly, the Administrator, EPA, should assess the need for requiring individuals working in the asbestos professions to meet prequalification and experience standards. This assessment should be performed in conjunction with the revision of training requirements mandated by the 1990 law extending the accreditation program to public and commercial buildings. |
Closed – Implemented
EPA gave serious consideration to the recommendation to access the need for requiring individuals working in the asbestos professions to meet prequalification and experience standards and EPA will continue to support these requirements at the state level, but it will not make them mandatory. In a meeting with the states, state officials asked EPA not to require prequalification requirements.
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Education program evaluationEmployee trainingHealth hazardsInstitution accreditationPersonnel managementQuality controlReporting requirementsStaff utilizationState programsTechnical assistanceAsbestos