2006 New York Code - Legislative Findings And Declaration.

 
    §  900.  Legislative  findings and declaration. The legislature hereby
  finds  and  declares  that  exposure  to  asbestos   fibers,   a   known
  carcinogenic  agent,  creates  a  serious  risk to the public health and
  safety. The legislature also finds that the public  is  more  frequently
  exposed  to  these  risks  as  a  result  of  an  increasing  number  of
  rehabilitation  and  reconstruction  projects  on  buildings  containing
  asbestos or asbestos materials.
    The  legislature  finds  that  the  risks associated with asbestos are
  exacerbated  by  the  improper  and  uninformed  manner  in  which  some
  contractors  and  their  employees  handle  asbestos.   Improper design,
  implementation or inspection of asbestos  projects  creates  unnecessary
  health and safety hazards which are detrimental to the state's interest,
  and that of its citizens.
    The  legislature,  therefore,  finds and declares it to be its purpose
  and policy to reduce asbestos  related  hazards  by  encouraging  proper
  training  of  persons  employed to design, implement or inspect asbestos
  projects and those who  supervise  or  employ  them,  by  requiring  the
  licensing  of  contractors and the certification of individuals involved
  in  asbestos  projects  pursuant  to  regulations  promulgated  by   the
  commissioner,   prior   to  the  removal,  enclosure,  encapsulation  or
  disturbance of friable asbestos or any  handling  of  asbestos  material
  which may result in the release of asbestos fiber and by conferring upon
  the  commissioner the authority to inspect ongoing asbestos projects and
  promulgate and  enforce  safety  and  health  standards  regulating  the
  conduct  of  those  projects  through injunctions, and the imposition of
  civil and criminal penalties.