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NOTICE: Our licensing windows will be closed on Monday, Dec 16th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm for agency-wide training. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

Licensing Window Information: Please be advised that our licensing windows are now located on the first floor. The hours of operation are as follows: Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We accept payments via check, money order, and most major credit cards. We do not accept cash under any circumstances.

Asbestos Abatement Program

The Asbestos Abatement Program ensures that all abatement projects are carried out safely and in accordance with the law. We provide expert guidance, consultation, and enforcement to ensure compliance with the Oklahoma Asbestos Control Act, protecting both workers and the public.

Program Services

The primary functions of our program include:

  • Inspection: We inspect public and private asbestos removal sites to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and procedures, safeguarding abatement workers, the public, and the environment.

  • Consultation: We work with building owners and agents to develop effective plans for the maintenance or removal of asbestos.

  • Training Audits: We audit asbestos training providers in Oklahoma to ensure they comply with the federal "Asbestos in Schools" rule and meet Oklahoma and EPA requirements.

  • Pre-Purchase Inspections: We inspect buildings for asbestos before they are purchased or leased by the Oklahoma Department of Central Services to minimize the risk of asbestos exposure to state employees and the public.

  • Licensing: We license contractors, workers, supervisors, project designers, inspectors, and management planners involved in asbestos abatement.

  • EPA Grant Administration: We administer an Environmental Protection Agency grant to ensure proper management of asbestos hazards in schools under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Schools are audited to ensure that all asbestos materials are properly contained, protecting students and staff from asbestos hazards.

Understanding Asbestos and Its Impact

For many years, asbestos was widely used for its effective insulating and sound-dampening properties. Here are some common applications:

  • Thermal Insulation: Found in many school, commercial, and industrial heating and piping systems.
  • Electrical Insulation: Used for electrical wiring and resistance heating appliances.
  • Sound Absorption: Particularly prevalent in school auditoriums, classrooms, and office buildings.
  • Fireproofing: Most pre-1975 building codes required asbestos fireproofing for metal frame, multistory buildings.
  • Decorative Material: Often used as a light-colored, fluffy ceiling surface.
  • Tensile Strength Enhancement: Incorporated in floor tiles, roofing fabrics, and "transite" sheets and piping.
  • Brake and Clutch Pads: Utilized in various mechanical applications.

Between 1900 and 1975, approximately thirty million tons of asbestos building materials were used in the U.S. Based on population, it is estimated that 300,000 to 600,000 tons were used in Oklahoma, with 80-90% of this asbestos likely still in place.

Health Risks Associated with Asbestos

Asbestos has been linked to several serious health conditions, including:

  • Asbestosis: Scarring of the lungs leading to disability and eventual death.
  • Lung Cancer
  • Mesothelioma: A usually fatal cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen.

Federal agencies such as OSHA, NIOSH, the National Toxicology Program, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) now recognize asbestos as a known human carcinogen.

Efforts in Asbestos Removal

Starting in the early 1980s, significant efforts and expenses have been directed towards removing asbestos materials from buildings, especially schools and other public structures. This removal often involves building interior demolition, which can release large quantities of asbestos dust.

Regulation and Safety Measures

Asbestos is a lung hazard and poses risks only when inhaled. Therefore, its removal is tightly regulated by Oklahoma and most other states, as well as the federal government through OSHA and EPA regulations. In Oklahoma, the primary agency responsible for asbestos regulation is the Oklahoma Department of Labor.

Last Modified on Jun 13, 2024
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Oklahoma Department of Labor
409 NE 28th St, 3rd Floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Phone: (405) 521-6100
Toll free: (888) 269-5353
Fax: (405) 521-6018

Email: labor.info@labor.ok.gov
 

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