The information below is for:
- Contractors
- Architects or engineers
- Asbestos professionals
- Lead professionals
Asbestos and lead pose health risks, and they may be found in buildings and other structures. Because of this, the Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency have specific requirements for the maintenance, renovation and demolition of buildings and other structures.
Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are only dangerous when they are disturbed or handled incorrectly. If ACMs are not handled properly, asbestos particles can be breathed in. Even a small amount of ACM can cause health effects.
Lead-based paint becomes a hazard when it is disturbed. This can be from chipping and peeling paint, when painted surfaces rub together, or when the paint is not properly sanded, scraped or burned. If lead-based paint is not handled properly, lead dust can be breathed in or swallowed by workers and by people, especially children, who use the building or other structure.
Learn more about the hazards and health effects of lead and asbestos
ASBESTOS
- Statement of Compliance is required with all applications
- Asbestos Abatement Contractor Entity application form for abatement, analytical, consulting and training
- Asbestos Contractor application form for workers, supervisors, inspectors, inspector/management planners, project designers, project monitors and analysts)
Submit a signed, completed application with all necessary documentation including the required Statement of Compliance and fees in accordance with the fee schedule. Checks should be made payable to the Vermont Department of Health. For licensing and certification requirements, please refer to the Vermont Regulation for Asbestos Control.
LEAD
- Statement of Compliance is required with all applications
- Lead Abatement Contractor Entity application form for abatement, analytical, consulting and training
- Lead Contractor application form for workers, supervisors, inspectors I or II, Inspector/Risk Assessors, project designers and sampling technicians
Submit a signed, completed application with all necessary documentation including the required Statement of Compliance and fees in accordance with the fee schedule. Checks should be made payable to the Vermont Department of Health. For licensing and certification requirements, please refer to the Vermont Regulation for Lead Control.
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 (ACMs) are found:
- Notify the Health Department within 10 working days before the demolition begins. The Health Department does not need to be notified of renovation work if no ACMs are found.
If ACMs are found, and these materials will be disturbed due to the renovation or demolition, then:
- ACMs 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 licensed Asbestos Abatement Entity and want to begin work on an asbestos abatement removal project involving ACMs, you must submit a Permit Application for Asbestos Abatement Project, at least 10 working days before the abatement project begins. You must include a diagram showing the location of the project activity within the building and the permit fee payment, as specified in Section 7 of the Vermont Regulation for Asbestos Control.
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 ACM located on pipes
OR
- 10 square feet of ACM 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. Send a completed SSSD Activities Notification Form to the Health Department at least 48 hours prior to beginning the SSSD abatement activity.
Lead
If you are a licensed Lead Abatement Entity and want to begin work on a lead abatement project, you must submit a Permit Application for Lead Abatement Project to the Health Department at least 10 working days before beginning any on-site work. You must include a diagram, occupant protection plan (when applicable), and a written abatement plan of the project area.
ASBESTOS
EMPs do not apply to asbestos.
LEAD
The Vermont Lead Law requires owners of residential rental buildings and child care facilities built before 1978 to do EMPs (see V.S.A. Title 18, Chapter 38, §1751) to help prevent lead poisoning in children. EMPs are relatively inexpensive maintenance activities, which include inspecting the property for chipping and peeling paint.
All maintenance and renovation of rental properties and child care facilities built before 1978 must comply with the Vermont Lead Law. EMPs must be performed by an EMP-certified person.
You must attend a Health Department approved EMP class to become certified. It is recommended that all rental property owners or managers become EMP certified. Classes are generally available at no cost at various locations throughout Vermont on a continual basis. Find an EMP training class
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:
ASBESTOS
If you want to know whether there are asbestos-containing materials in a home, building, structure or material, hire a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector to conduct an inspection.
LEAD
Lead-Based Paint
If you want to know whether lead-based paint is on a home, building or other structure, hire a Vermont-certified lead inspector or risk assessor to conduct a lead inspection or risk assessment. A lead inspection determines the presence or absence of lead-based paint on painted or coated surfaces. A risk assessment identifies lead hazards from deteriorated paint, dust and bare soil, and ways to control the lead hazards.
Drinking Water
Test kits for lead in drinking water can be purchased from the Health Department Laboratory. Find out more about testing for lead in drinking water
More information
Vermont Regulations for Asbestos Control
Vermont Regulations for Lead Control
Questions?
Asbestos & Lead Regulatory Program
108 Cherry St., PO Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
Phone: 802-863-7220 or
800-439-8550 (toll-free within VT)
Fax: 802-863-7483