5.1 This practice applies to response actions for all types of asbestos-containing materials, including surfacing materials, thermal systems insulation, and miscellaneous materials, whether friable or not, regardless of the quantities involved and the reason for conducting the response action.

5.1.1 Abatement for the purpose of removing asbestos-containing materials or encapsulating or enclosing them, regardless of the engineering controls and work practices used, requires performance of visual inspections as described in this practice.

5.1.2 Operations and maintenance (O&M) activities, such as removal, encapsulation, or enclosure of asbestos-containing materials incidental to repair or replacement of a component, clean-up of debris from a fiber release episode, or other preventive measures, require the performance of visual inspections as described in this practice. See Managing Asbestos in Place7 and Guidance Manual.

5.1.3 This practice applies to response actions performed under a contract from the building owner, as well as to work performed by the building owner's staff.

5.2 The specific objectives of the visual inspection process before, during, and at the conclusion of an asbestos abatement project are: to review the extent of asbestos-containing material (ACM) within the scope of work, to monitor performance of the work, and to verify if visible residue, dust or debris, or unremoved material are absent at the completion of removal and clean-up activities.

5.2.1 The visual inspection process is used to evaluate all four aspects of an asbestos abatement project as follows:

5.2.1.1 Extent of ACM within Scope of Work-The building survey which is intended to locate and quantify asbestos-containing materials is not properly called a "visual inspection" within the context of this practice. To define the extent of ACM involved, a building survey is a necessary prelude to the first step of the visual inspection process. The building survey, which may use other building records, is intended to locate and assess the condition of ACM with confirmation by laboratory analysis of bulk samples. Additional surveys may be required during project design to find ACM in locations not entered or accessible during the initial building survey. The extent of the ACM to be abated must be known in order to properly design the abatement project. See 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M.

5.2.1.2 Project Work Performance-Observation of work activities throughout the abatement project confirms acceptable work performance and aids the visual inspection for completeness of removal of ACM from the surfaces and components and for completeness of cleanup of the work area. Careful examination of the work area may be required at the start of the project for debris that may have been generated after the building surveys and project design.

5.2.1.3 Completeness of Abatement-The presence of residue, visible without the use of magnifying devices, on surfaces and components from which asbestos has been removed indicates that additional cleaning of these surfaces is required. All ACM required to be removed by the contract documents must be gone in order to pass the inspection for completeness of removal. Similarly, the presence of improperly encapsulated or insufficiently enclosed material indicates that these measures, if used for abatement or as an adjunct thereto, were inadequately performed and corrective action shall be taken.

5.2.1.4 Completeness of Clean-up-The presence of dust or debris on surfaces in areas where abatement has taken place indicates that these areas were not properly cleaned following the abatement. Final air samples for clearance and re-occupancy shall not be taken until the visual inspection for completeness of clean-up is passed.

5.2.2 Visual inspection is not a substitute for air monitoring at any stage of the work and is particularly not a substitute for final air testing for building re-occupancy following an asbestos abatement project. The basic premise of this practice is that a surface, component, or work area where residue, dust or debris, or unremoved material, visible without the use of magnifying devices, is still present is not sufficiently clean for subsequent stages of work. Any residue, dust, or debris found during the inspections is assumed to contain asbestos, and the surfaces, components, and area must be re-cleaned before proceeding further.

5.2.3 Passing the visual inspections for completeness of abatement and clean-up improves the chances, but does not guarantee, that the area will pass final air testing for clearance.

5.3 Visual inspection is an important means of determining acceptable completion of O&M work. The objectives of the visual inspection process as it applies to O&M work are similar to those for abatement projects with specific procedures and acceptance criteria that recognize the following aspects of O&M activities:

5.3.1 O&M work is generally more limited in scope than abatement projects, involves less ACM, and is consequently referred to as "small-scale, short-duration" in the EPA rule known as AHERA which regulates asbestos activities in schools, K through 12; public and private. This work is also covered in the OSHA requirements as Class III work where there are rules for permissible quantities and operations. These requirements may vary according to other applicable regulations and are not specified in this practice.

5.3.2 O&M work often lacks such protective measures as negative pressure and decontamination facilities that provide protection to workers and building occupants during abatement projects.