Asbestos Programs in Minnesota

Three state agencies protect Minnesota citizens from exposure to asbestos fibers.

Minnesota Department of Health - Protecting the Public Health

Minnesota Statutes, sections 326.70 to 326.81 and
Minnesota Rules, parts 4620.3000 to 4620.3724

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Asbestos regulations protect the health of those people who enter or occupy buildings during or after regulated asbestos-related work.

To do this, MDH's regulations require licensed companies to employ certified individuals to conduct regulated asbestos-related work. The regulations also dictate how to perform regulated asbestos-related work, and the training requirements for becoming certified to conduct asbestos-related work.

MDH permits the training courses, licenses asbestos contractors and certifies the professionals who perform asbestos work. This ensures that asbestos work is planned, managed correctly and done safely. MDH inspects asbestos work sites to review worker certification and work practices, and audits asbestos training courses to confirm that individuals are receiving proper training.

MDH's Asbestos Program can be contacted through the internet or by telephone at (651) 201-4620

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Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - Protecting the Health of the Worker

29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA Asbestos Standard) 
Minnesota Rules, part 5205.0660 and part 5207.0035

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates the exposure of workers to asbestos. This standard applies only where there is an employer/employee relationship, including state and local government workers.

OSHA requires proper maintenance of friable asbestos-containing materials in buildings. OSHA also requires an asbestos building survey before beginning construction work in order to locate all asbestos so workers can be properly informed of its location and be protected from its health effects. OSHA will inspect asbestos work sites to ensure its regulations are being complied with.

OSHA can be contacted through the internet or by telephone at (651)-284-5056.

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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Protecting the Environment

40 CFR Part 61 (EPA NESHAP)
Minnesota Rules, part 7011.9920

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regulates visible emissions of asbestos to the environment during the disturbance, transport, and disposal of asbestos.

MPCA requires that an asbestos building survey is conducted before asbestos is disturbed. This ensures that all asbestos is located, properly removed and disposed of, and not introduced into the environment. MPCA also inspects asbestos work sites to ensure compliance with it's regulations.

MPCA can be contacted through the internet or by telephone at (651)-296-6300.

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