Asbestos is a highly toxic mineral that causes lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis which result in death. Asbestos fibers are microscopic, and are used in many different building materials. Asbestos has not been banned, and is still being used today. If asbestos containing materials are disturbed, the toxic fibers can contaminate the building, and be breathed in by anyone who lives or works in the area. Cleanup of a contaminated building can dramatically increase the cost, and delay the project.

Building owners and construction contractors both share responsibility for asbestos testing when doing work on the building. A good faith inspection for asbestos, performed by an AHERA certified building inspector is required before any remodel, repair, removal, or other work that could disturb suspect materials.

Get an asbestos survey performed by an AHERA certified building inspector prior to any construction, renovation, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition project regardless of the age of the building.

Both building owners, and contractors are subject to a mandatory $600 per day fine if an asbestos good faith inspection is not performed.

Provide this survey to any contractors bidding on the project. Subcontractors, and all workers who will be working must also be provided the survey, and a copy must be posted at the work site.

If you have asbestos containing materials that could be impacted during the work, hire a certified asbestos contractor to abate the asbestos.

For more information on survey requirements, see WAC 296-62-07721.

The following list of contractors are certified in asbestos removal. It does not imply endorsement of any company by L&I.

Use the Verify a Contractor tool or click on the UBI number to view a company’s workplace safety & health inspection history, workers’ compensation status and more. This list was last updated June 1, 2023.

Submit a Notification

Notification to the department is required prior to all asbestos projects greater than 48 square feet, or 10 linear feet. WAC 296-65-020.

Additional notifications or permits may be required by your local Clean air agencies.

Notification Instructions

Initial Notification

• This is the most common type of notification, and is used when the project will start in 5 or more days.

Short-term Notification (5-day Waiver)

Short-term notifications are used for projects that start in less than 5 days and have work requirement or waiting the 5 days would cause unnecessary hardship (ex. Water loss and homeowner is displaced, or asbestos that was not on the original survey is found during construction, etc).

Short-term notifications are not approvals or permits. You do not need approval, and in most cases, you will not receive a response. We may reach out to request additional details regarding the project and reserve the right to deny short-term notifications.

To submit a short-term notification, send an email to the region where the work will take place using the inboxes listed below. Include the reason you are submitting a short-term notification, jobsite location, start and stop dates, type of material, and amount you are planning to remove. Then, use the online notification system to file the official notice.

Regional Inboxes

• Region 1: AsbestosInspectorsR1@Lni.wa.gov
  • Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties
• Region 2: AsbestosInspectorsR2@Lni.wa.gov
  • King county
• Region 3: AsbestosInspectorsR3@Lni.wa.gov
  • Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, and Pierce counties
• Region 4: AsbestosInspectorsR4@Lni.wa.gov
  • Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties.
• Region 5: AsbestosInspectorsR5@Lni.wa.gov
  • Adams (west), Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties.
• Region 6: AsbestosInspectorsR6@Lni.wa.gov
  • Adams (east), Asotin, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman counties.

Emergency

This is the least common type of notification. Emergency projects result from a sudden unexpected event. For more information on this type of notification see WAC 296-65-020, and Asbestos Project Notification (WRD 23.25).

Asbestos Worker

You will need this certification if:

You want to be a certified asbestos worker. Individuals must complete a Washington State Certified 4-day course that meets the requirements of WAC 296-65-005 and WAC 296-65-010 for asbestos abatement workers. Topics focus on all aspects of abatement operations including asbestos types, uses and building material types; health hazards; regulations; worker protection and decontamination issues; personal protective equipment; site safety; state of the art work practices and engineering controls. Hands-on training includes the use of respirators; removal and repair of simulated asbestos materials; glove-bag installation, use and removal; construction of containments; decontamination; and proper entry and exit procedures from the regulated area. The initial course requires successful completion of the class and a final exam score of 70% or higher. Certification license cards are issued from the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries.

What you will need:

• Read Washington rules for becoming a Certified Asbestos Worker.
• Attend a 32-hour Asbestos Worker training course.
  • Asbestos Abatement Course Sponsors Receiving Approval from L&I
• Upon completion of training, you will be issued an Asbestos Worker Certification.
  • Note: Certification expires 1 year from the course completion.
• Annually complete an 8-hour Asbestos Worker Refresher training course prior to expiration.

Asbestos Supervisor

You will need this certification if:

You will supervise asbestos abatement projects or oversee asbestos workers. Individuals must complete a Washington State Certified 5-day course that meets the requirements of WAC 296-65-007 and WAC 296-65-012. The course includes all of the content in the 32-Hour Asbestos Worker course as well as supervision and management, administrative programs, how to select and set-up engineering controls properly, how to conduct air monitoring, and how to set-up and manage supplied air breathing systems. Hands-on exercises are included such as setting up and calibrating air sampling equipment, Type C systems, respiratory protection, glove-bagging, calculating and locating ventilation requirements for an enclosure, and 3-stage personnel decontamination. Certification license cards are issued from the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries.

What you will need:

• Read Washington rules for becoming a Certified Asbestos Supervisor.
• Attend a 40-hour Asbestos Supervisor training course.
• Complete 1600 hours of work in one or more of L&I’s five qualifying work categories.
• Have your employer(s) complete an Affidavit of Experience (F413-078-000) to attach to your application.
• Upon completion of training and verification of hours, you will be issued an Asbestos Supervisor Certification.
• Note: Certification expires 1 year from the course completion.
• Annually complete an 8-hour Asbestos Supervisor Refresher training course prior to expiration.

Asbestos Contractor

You will need this certification if:

You are bidding or working on an asbestos removal project in Washington State.

What you will need:

• An active Contractor Registration with the WA Dept. of Labor and Industries.
• A Certified Asbestos Supervisor on your payroll.
• A completed L&I Asbestos Contractor Application for Certification.
• A completed application and payment submitted to L&I (Instructions on application)