Asbestos (AHERA) Inspections

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) came into existence in 1986, yet many district administrators are still uncertain of, or unaware of, their responsibilities under this federal law. AHERA imposes several management and record keeping responsibilities on school districts, and serious penalties may be imposed by the EPA for non-compliance.

Since the inception of AHERA, SERRC has worked with over 30 school districts throughout Alaska providing assistance in complying with this sometimes confusing federal law. SERRC has an accredited AHERA Building Inspector and Management Planner on staff to perform the 3-year re-inspections required for all school facilities with identified or presumed asbestos containing materials.

As a part of the re-inspection process, SERRC routinely reviews the Asbestos Management Plan at each facility to ensure that the necessary actions are being taken by district personnel and that record keeping requirements are being met. In the event that a management plan has been misplaced, or that a plan is needed for a new facility, SERRC’s Management Planner can assist the district in preparing and certifying the necessary documentation.

Under AHERA, all schools were required to have been inspected for the presence of asbestos containing, or presumed asbestos containing, materials. The district is required to have and maintain an Asbestos Management Plan for each school facility, whether asbestos exists in the building or not. This plan contains, among other things, information on the type and location of the asbestos containing materials in the building if any, the methods used to interact with and maintain these materials, and records of required staff training. The plan must be available for inspection, and public notice of its availability must be made annually. The law requires that all asbestos containing materials in schools are required to be reinspected for changes in condition every three years by an accredited inspector. The district is required to appoint a Designated Person to ensure that these responsibilities are met.