What is AHERA?
AHERA is the Asbestos Hazards and Emergency Regulation Act established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1986. AHERA establishes policies and procedures for dealing with asbestos in school buildings.
What Do Schools Have To Do To Comply With AHERA?
According to the EPA, AHERA requires public and non-profit schools to:
- Perform an original inspection to determine whether asbestos-containing materials are present and then re-inspect asbestos-containing material in each school every three years
- Develop, maintain, and update an asbestos management plan and keep a copy at the school
- Provide yearly notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations on the availability of the school's asbestos management plan and any asbestos-related actions taken or planned in the school
- Designate a contact person to ensure the responsibilities of the public school district or the non-profit school are properly implemented
- Perform periodic surveillance of known or suspected asbestos-containing building material
- Ensure that trained and licensed professionals perform inspections and take response actions
- Provide custodial staff with asbestos-awareness training
How can Ecesis help with AHERA Compliance in Schools?
Our asbestos software provides a user-friendly platform for reporting related to asbestos management and AHERA compliance, including reporting of materials, buildings, and abatement projects. Our asbestos software can be used for keeping track of required tasks, maintaining asbestos management plans, creating yearly notifications and training of personnel.
How Does Ecesis Manage Asbestos Reporting?
Our asbestos software solution allows for documenting and reporting the location of asbestos materials in buildings and associated abatement projects.
The name and address of buildings relevant to a local education agency (LEA) can be mapped and reported. Buildings can be separate by floors and rooms, where materials can be further grouped into functional and homogenous areas.
Schools can report on the type of materials present as well as their category, condition, quantity, location. Mandatory 3-year re-inspections can also be tracked for each material.
Asbestos abatement projects can be created and records of the contractor(s) used, materials abated and relevant documentation can be maintained in one central location.
How Does Ecesis Manage AHERA Task Tracking?
Our asbestos software allows you to schedule single and re-occurring tasks through our task tracking softwre. Tasks can be assigned to different individuals that are included in the asbestos management team and tracked to completion. Examples include keeping track of inspections, re-inspections, and surveillance, as well as other tasks like notifying parents and staff, and training of custodial staff.
How Does Ecesis Manage AHERA Training?
Asbestos awareness training required for custodial staff under AHERA can be conducted using our training management software. Here, you can create and assign training materials to staff like videos, slides, and assessments. The training module also allows you to record pre-existing certifications that may be required for asbestos management personnel.
