Region 8
Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 Tribal Nations
Q: How are our local tradesman, contractors, and Public Service employees going to know how to handle asbestos when they come across it during their work?
A: EPA is working closely with MDEQ and Flathead Community College to develop an asbestos training for local contractors, tradesmen, and Public Service personnel. The asbestos training will be tailored to conditions in Libby and will include courses leading to certification as "Contractor/Supervisor" and "Inspector" with respect to handling asbestos.
The training will be free for Libby area-based contractors and attendees will receive a certificate verifying that they completed the course. However, to become state certified, graduates must fill out an application and pay a nominal fee to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Ideally, the courses would be offered annually. EPA hopes to hold our first asbestos training sessions as early as January or February of 2006. Further information on availability and registration will be published soon.