Hazardous Substances
Asbestos Awareness
for Construction Workers
for Construction Workers
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 · NYC Local Law · Pre-1980 Buildings Require Survey Before Work
New York City has more pre-1980 buildings than any other city in the United States — and a substantial percentage of them contain asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in floor tile, pipe insulation, fireproofing, roofing materials, and plaster. Any construction, renovation, or demolition work that disturbs ACM in NYC must be performed under specific controls. The first rule: know before you go.
Where Asbestos Hides in NYC Buildings
- Pipe and duct insulation: grey fibrous wrapping on steam pipes and heating ducts, especially in pre-1980 buildings
- Floor tile and mastic: 9x9 and 12x12 floor tiles, especially black, white, or tan colors in older buildings
- Ceiling tiles and spray-on fireproofing: textured acoustic ceiling material in commercial buildings built through the 1970s
- Roof shingles and flashing: some pre-1980 asphalt roofing products
- Plaster and textured coatings: joint compound and spackling compound contained asbestos through the late 1970s
What Construction Workers Must Do
- Assume ACM is present in any pre-1980 NYC building until a licensed asbestos inspector's survey says otherwise
- Do not disturb any suspect material without notifying your foreman and requesting an inspection
- If you accidentally disturb suspect material: stop work, leave the area, close the area off, and notify the SSM immediately
- Asbestos abatement is performed by licensed asbestos contractors — you are not required to abate it yourself, only to avoid disturbing it
NYC Law — Mandatory Requirements
- NYC requires an asbestos inspection by a NYC-licensed ACP-5 inspector before any renovation, demolition, or disturbance work in a pre-1978 building
- If ACM is found: an approved Asbestos Abatement Project (AAP) must be completed by a licensed contractor before construction begins
- DOB enforces asbestos compliance — violations carry substantial fines and stop-work orders
Discussion Questions
- You are opening walls in a 1962 NYC residential building. What must be done before any demolition begins?
- You accidentally disturb pipe insulation that crumbles and releases dust. What are your immediate steps?
- Name three building materials in pre-1980 NYC buildings that commonly contain asbestos.
- Who is qualified to perform asbestos abatement in NYC, and what license do they need?
Sign-Off
Project Address
Date
Time
Foreman / Supervisor
SSM / SSC Name & License No.
Worker Attendance
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