NYS DOL Issues New Fact Sheets

NYS DOL Emphasizes Prevention

EAST Centers of NY wants to keep our clients and partners informed of important regulatory developments. The New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Control Bureau has released two new guidance documents reinforcing asbestos survey requirements under ICR 56 prior to renovation, repair, remodeling, or demolition work.

These documents are significant because they are clearly intended to:

-- Educate municipalities on how they can support DOL enforcement efforts

-- Inform building permit applicants that asbestos surveys are required before permitted work begins

These two documents also complement last fall’s P232 guidance, which clarified that asbestos surveys are required regardless of the building’s date of construction.

Guidance to Municipalities (P230)

This notice explains that while municipalities are not required to enforce asbestos regulations, DOL is encouraging them to:

-- Request asbestos surveys before issuing permits

-- Contact DOL when surveys are not provided

-- Share this information with permit staff and applicants

Guidance to Building Permit Applicants (P231)

This document explains directly to contractors, trades, and property owners that:

-- An asbestos survey is required prior to renovation or demolition

-- Only licensed asbestos contractors may disturb ACM

-- Unsafe or condemned buildings must be assumed to contain asbestos

-- Homeowner exemptions are very limited

Why This Matters

This is a clear indication that DOL is placing increased emphasis on prevention with front-end enforcement through municipalities and building departments, rather than relying solely on jobsite inspections after work begins.

You can expect to see:

More municipalities requesting surveys as part of the permit process.

More referrals from building departments to DOL. Increased scrutiny when surveys are missing or incomplete. Fewer “we didn’t know” explanations accepted by regulators.

This is not a regulatory change — it is an enforcement emphasis.

Organizations that already follow proper survey procedures should view this as a positive development that helps protect the industry from improper work by unqualified parties.

If you interact with municipalities, building officials, or permit offices, it is important to be familiar with these documents and prepared to discuss the requirements. EAST will continue to share updates as they become available to help keep you informed and compliant.

To download these documents, follow link below to EAST Resources / NYS Asbestos Survey