(a)  Not later than January 1, 1987, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall propose a regulation concerning asbestos-related work, as defined in Section 6501.8, to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for review and adoption so as to protect most effectively the health and safety of employees. The regulation shall also include, but not be limited to, specific work practices and specific requirements for certification of all employees engaged in asbestos-related work.

(b) (1) Not later than July 1, 1991, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall propose regulations for the certification of asbestos consultants and site surveillance technicians to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for consideration and action. By January 1, 1992, the board shall adopt regulations regarding certification. The regulations shall address and encompass procedures to determine the requirements for the certification provided for by Article 11 (commencing with Section 7180) of Chapter 9 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code. The division shall prepare and administer an examination to determine qualifications for certification pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 7184 and subdivision (c) of Section 7185 of the Business and Professions Code. The examination shall be administered on a periodic, regularly scheduled basis.

(2) The division may, in lieu of preparing and administering its own certification examination, approve one or more public or private institutions which offer programs in asbestos abatement training to prepare and administer the examination described in subdivision (b) of Section 7184 and subdivision (c) of Section 7185 of the Business and Professions Code. However, the division shall not approve any institution, organization, individual, or other entity for administering a certification examination if that institution, organization, individual or other entity engages, for compensation, in any aspect of asbestos abatement work. For purposes of developing or approving a certification examination pursuant to this section, the division shall consult with an advisory committee of individuals who have academic and professional experience in asbestos abatement work, including a certified industrial hygienist, representatives of asbestos abatement workers, and asbestos abatement contractors.

(c) This section does not exempt any employer from complying with the Hazardous Substances Information and Training Act (Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 6360) of Part 1 of Division 5 of this code) and regulations adopted thereunder, nor does it exempt any employer from complying with Section 5208 of Title 8 of the California Administrative Code. For products not requiring contractor certification pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 7058.5 of the Business and Professions Code, training and certification of employees shall be done by the employer.

(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1255, Sec. 2.)