Background

Over the years, property owners, demolition companies, home-improvement contractors and environmental/safety/health consultants have become pretty comfortable with the regulation of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs).  We’re used to dealing with the local health department and the Ohio EPA for all of our asbestos needs.

Upcoming Changes

Responsibilities attributed to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) are currently regulated by OAC 3701-34.  However, these responsibilities are expected to be transferred to the Ohio EPA on January 1, 2018.  This centralization of the asbestos program is designed to make compliance easier for the regulated community.  Here are some of the more noteworthy changes:

• Fees may change slightly;
• Fees must be paid at the time that a form is submitted to Ohio EPA;
• Notification forms will be able to be submitted via Ohio EPA’s eBusiness Center in early January, 2018;
• Licensing, certification and Course Management forms will be allowed to submit via Ohio EPA’s eBusiness Center in the summer of 2018;
• Payment of fees associated with forms submitted on-line must be made with credit card or electronic check.

Helpful Hints

• As we navigate these changes, your best source of information is your local air agency (LAA) or local district office Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) representative. A listing of the LAA and district offices may be found here.
  
• Make sure that your 10-Day Prior Notification form is completed with all the required information.
• Revisit the fee structure in the Ohio Revised Code; the agency will be adhering to this fee structure more rigidly than in the past.
• Use the software as it becomes available!The software will calculate the fees appropriate to the form for you.
• Get to know your LAA or district office representative; they will be conducting all of the NESHAP and licensing inspections.