The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation implemented new Asbestos Acrcreditation Requirements effective June 23, 2009. According to Chapter 1200-01-20 the new rule requires training providers, persons/and/or firms to apply for accreditation in Tennessee within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the rule (September 23, 2009). The Asbestos Accreditation Requirements are applicable to all persons and firms who perform asbestos activities in schools or public and commercial buildings.  These Rules stipulate that only accredited persons shall perform asbestos activities inclusive of developing management plans in schools, project designs, conducting response actions, inspections, and collecting clearance air samples to confirm the completion of a response action involving friable and non-friable asbestos-containing materials and asbestos-containing building materials in schools or public and commercial buildings. Under the Asbestos Accreditation Requirements Rules, training providers must be accredited by Tennessee to offer asbestos training course(s) in Tennessee, following the procedures outlined in the Rules.

To learn more about the new rule, please visit the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conversation website at http://tennessee.gov/environment/swm/asbestos for complete information.

7-year old Catherine of Kelso, TN has met the many challenges of treatment for a brain tumor. Earlier this year, Catherine and her aunt Donna learned she was eligible to receive a wish from the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Middle Tennessee. After meeting with her wish granter Stewart Bronaugh (VP of BB&T and AGC member) and thinking about her favorite things, Catherine wrote a letter to Make-a-Wish asking for a pink and purple Cinderella castle.

Once the members at AIA and AGC learned of Catherine's wish, they immediately teamed up to collaborate on how they could make her dream come true (this is the first time the Middle Tennessee chapters of AIA and AGC have partnered on a project). AGC has several members that were vital in the completion of Catherine's house. The Parent Company, Automated Framers, Wasco, Lockett Improvements, Design Build Partners, Dale Incorporated and RD Herbert all donated time and materials to build Catherine her castle.

Saturday morning, October 20, AGC crews arrived in Kelso to finish painting and decorating her castle. After it was done, Catherine came outside and was greeted by her wish granter Stewart Bronaugh, who told her that her wish had come true. She opened the door and entered her very own castle, painted in her favorite colors of pink and purple. Inside the castle, she found her very own kitchen where she can cook for her dolls, along with a rocking chair, table and chairs and stairs going up - just like she wished for in her letter.

Beginning October 1, 2007, Tennessee will be able to breathe smoke free at numerous restaurants, hotels, and many other establishments as a result of the Tennessee Non-Smokers Protection Act. On June 11, 2007, Governor Phil Bredesen signed the Act into law, which makes it illegal to smoke in most places where people work. If you have any questions about complying with the Tennessee Non-Smokers Protection Act call 1-800-293-8228.

Smoke Free Tennessee Information