Mandatory Asbestos Certification
By DRU SAHAI, Occupational Hygienist, CSAO
Who must be certified?
As of Nov. 1, 2007, all workers and supervisors who perform Type 3 asbestos work must be certified to do their work. Certification is not required for:
• Workers in Type 1 or Type 2 operations;
• Workers entering Type 1, 2 or 3 work areas to perform work not related to the asbestos operation.
The workers that do not require certification are, however, required to have asbestos awareness training.
There are two asbestos abatement certification programs: one for workers (Asbestos Abatement Worker) and one for supervisors (Asbestos Abatement Supervisor). Before becoming a certified asbestos abatement supervisor you must be certified as an asbestos abatement worker.
How do I get certified?
Here are the steps to get certified:
(1) One of the following groups must register you for an in-school training program approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU):
- Employers engaged in Type 3 asbestos work.
- Joint local union/employer training committees.
NOTE: The employer must apply to the MTCU for “signing authority” before it can enrol you in an approved training program.
(2) Take the training that you need.
(3) Once you have completed the in-school portion, you are eligible to write the asbestos abatement worker or supervisor test. Each test is administered by the MTCU (not the training provider) and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions.
(4) If you pass the test, the “signing authority” (the employer) sends the required paperwork to the MTCU. This confirms that you have successfully completed the i in-school training program and have passed the test. The MTCU will then issue you a Certificate of Completion.
Can Experienced Workers Or supervisors Take The Test Without Taking The Training?
Until Nov. 1, 2008, experienced Type 3 workers and supervisors can take the tests without having to take the in-school training programs.
If you fail the test, however, you will be required to take an in-school training program approved by the MTCU.
Experienced workers and supervisors from outside Ontario can take the tests without having to take the in-school training. If they fail the test, however, they will be required to take an in-school training program approved by the MTCU.
You are considered experienced if you have at least 1000 hours of experience performing Type 3 work before Nov. 1, 2007. You must prove this with an Asbestos Work Report Form 1 (or equivalent document for those from outside Ontario) or a letter on official company letterhead.
Where do I get more info?
For more details, contact your local MTCU office (find it by calling Employment Ontario at 1-800-387-5656).
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