CSLB Contractor's Law & Business Practice Exam

According to AB 2040, when must a contractor inquire about the presence of asbestos in buildings?

1. Before any construction

2. In buildings constructed before 1975

3. In buildings constructed before 1978

4. During the planning phase

The correct answer is: In buildings constructed before 1978

The correct answer highlights the legal obligation introduced by AB 2040 regarding asbestos inquiry. Specifically, contractors must inquire about the presence of asbestos in buildings constructed before 1978 due to the regulations surrounding asbestos safety and the potential health risks associated with its disturbance during construction. Buildings constructed before 1978 are particularly significant because this year is the cutoff for when widespread use of asbestos in building materials was curtailed. By this time, regulatory changes and public awareness campaigns had begun to inform the construction industry and the general public about the dangers of asbestos. The other options either do not align with the specific guidelines of AB 2040 or over-generalize the inquiry requirements. Inquiring before any construction may seem like a reasonable precaution, but the law specifically emphasizes buildings prior to 1978. The option of asking solely about buildings constructed before 1975 is also incorrect, as it does not reflect the established regulations. Lastly, conducting inquiries during the planning phase, while sensible from a procedural standpoint, does not specifically meet the requirement laid out in AB 2040 regarding the timeline linked to construction years.