Asbestos Project Monitor

The project monitor acts as a buffer between the asbestos contractor and the building owner, ensuring that the contractor completes the project in accordance with the asbestos contract specifications and all applicable health and safety laws, as well as answering questions and providing guidance for the owner. 

It is the Project Monitor (PM) who represents the university's interests during abatement projects. Human health and the environment are primary concerns of the PM and the building owner. The PM must use his/her knowledge, experience, and expertise to assist the abatement contractor in making decisions unique to a particular project. The duties and functions of a project monitor per 18VAC15-20-455 include, but are not limited to,

• Observing and monitoring the activities of an asbestos abatement contractor on asbestos projects to determine whether proper work practices are used, and compliance with all applicable asbestos laws and regulations are maintained;
• Collecting environmental air samples during the asbestos project;
• Performing visual inspections of the work area; and
• Granting final air clearance upon completion of the asbestos project.

In accordance with 18VAC15-20-455.1, a project monitor is required on asbestos abatement projects where performed in buildings that are occupied, or intended to be occupied upon completion of a project exceeding 260 linear feet or 160 square feet or 35 cubic feet of asbestos-containing material, or whenever the building or property owner deems it necessary to monitor the asbestos project.

The CPSM, 2023, Rev. 0, Section 4.12.10 also indicates that "Each Agency shall ensure that asbestos abatement project specificiations are followed by using a Virginia licensed or properly certified asbestos project monitor to monitor the project and perform air quality testing throughout the duration and at final completion of the project. No asbestos materials are to be removed without the asbestos project monitor being onsite." There is no size threshold for this requirement for construction and renovation of buildings on state-owned property in the Commonwealth of Virginia involving asbestos abatement.

Communication is extremely important in all phases of the project, especially in occupied buildings.

Virginia Tech asbestos project monitors shall:

• Perform duties and functions established by 18VAC15-20-455 as listed above.
• Inspect, smoke test, and approve all containments and glove bags prior to the removal of any asbestos materials to ensure the integrity of the containment is maintained.
  • If the integrity of the containment is not properly maintained, follow protocols for accidental disturbance of asbestos-containing material.
• Ensure training certifications/licenses, medical exams, and fit-testing records are current for all onsite asbestos contractor personnel daily. This documentation shall be available upon request for the duration of the project.
  • Final documentation shall be submitted to the project manager (or designee) and retained with the project files.
• Conduct inspections of the contractor's work practices and of the containment at least daily.
  • Documentation shall be submitted to the project manager and retained with the project files.
• Be present on the jobsite each day that response actions are being conducted or in accordance with the owner-approved contractual agreement.
• Maintain a daily log of all work performed, including but not limited to, inspection reports, air sampling data, type of work performed by the contractor, problems encountered, and corrective actions are taken.
  • Documentation shall be submitted to the project manager and retained with the project files.
• Perform a final inspection with the contractor at the conclusion of the project for visible debris prior to encapsulation and final clearance air monitoring.
  • Documentation shall be submitted to the project manager and retained with the project files.
• Perform clearance air sampling on all abatement projects.
  • Documentation shall be submitted to the project manager and retained with the project files.
• Perform final teardown inspection after clearance air monitoring to ensure no visible debris is left after teardown of containment, and that the abatement contractor has left the area in satisfactory condition.

Deviations from federal, state, or local regulations, or from the contract, should be brought to the contractor's attention for correction.

If the contractor continues to deviate from acceptable work practices or procedures, then a decision as to the course of action to be taken must be made by the owner, the project monitor, and other stakeholders collectively. If the project monitor's judgment is overruled under circumstances when the safety, health, property, and welfare of the public are endangered, the project monitor shall immediately stop the work and report his concerns to the designated safety representative, Environmental Health & Safety, and other appropriate authorities if the situation is not resolved. The project monitor shall take such action only when his/her authority to correct a problem has been ignored or overruled.