N.Y. LAB Law § 900

§ 900. Legislative findings and declaration. The legislature hereby\nfinds and declares that exposure to asbestos fibers, a known\ncarcinogenic agent, creates a serious risk to the public health and\nsafety. The legislature also finds that the public is more frequently\nexposed to these risks as a result of an increasing number of\nrehabilitation and reconstruction projects on buildings containing\nasbestos or asbestos materials.\n The legislature finds that the risks associated with asbestos are\nexacerbated by the improper and uninformed manner in which some\ncontractors and their employees handle asbestos. Improper design,\nimplementation or inspection of asbestos projects creates unnecessary\nhealth and safety hazards which are detrimental to the state's interest,\nand that of its citizens.\n The legislature, therefore, finds and declares it to be its purpose\nand policy to reduce asbestos related hazards by encouraging proper\ntraining of persons employed to design, implement or inspect asbestos\nprojects and those who supervise or employ them, by requiring the\nlicensing of contractors and the certification of individuals involved\nin asbestos projects pursuant to regulations promulgated by the\ncommissioner, prior to the removal, enclosure, encapsulation or\ndisturbance of friable asbestos or any handling of asbestos material\nwhich may result in the release of asbestos fiber and by conferring upon\nthe commissioner the authority to inspect ongoing asbestos projects and\npromulgate and enforce safety and health standards regulating the\nconduct of those projects through injunctions, and the imposition of\ncivil and criminal penalties.\n