Asbestos Abatement Plans

An asbestos abatement plan is a detailed description how the presence of asbestos will be addressed in a building. 

Among other details, they include information about:

  • Methods of repair, enclosure, encapsulation, and removal;
  • Project team of licensed asbestos contractor(s) who will perform work;
  • Schedule for completion of the abatement project;
  • Disposal location for asbestos;
  • Level of compliance with exposure and action criteria.

Asbestos Abatement Contractors are required to submit a Start Work Notification form to the Asbestos Control Program, at least ten (10) working days before beginning any on-site work on an asbestos abatement project. The Asbestos Control Program will consider waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.

What Building Owners Must Do

Asbestos abatement plans must be submitted to the Rhode Island Asbestos Control Program prior to performing asbestos abatement activities exceeding spot repairs in regulated buildings. For asbestos abatement in school buildings additional requirements also apply. more Regulations allow a building owner or agent to develop an asbestos abatement plan for projects that do not involve schools. Due to the technical knowledge required to write sufficient plans, however, most are written by Rhode Island-certified Project Designers.

An Asbestos Abatement Plan Application must be signed by the building owner or agent, and be notarized. The application must be accompanied by the correct fee, which is related to the amount of asbestos addressed by the project. After review by the Asbestos Control Program, a letter of plan approval is sent to the building owner or agent. This approval becomes invalid if the work authorized has not commenced within six (6) months, although a 90-day extension may be requested. In addition, abatement activities must be completed within one (1) year of the plan's approval date.