What is AHERA?
AHERA is the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Toxic Substances 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:
Initial Inspection & Re-Inspections
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.
Asbestos Management Plan
Develop, maintain, and update an asbestos management plan and keep a copy at the school.
Yearly Notification
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.
Designated Contact Person
Designate a contact person to ensure the responsibilities of the public school district or the non-profit school are properly implemented.
Periodic Surveillance
Perform periodic surveillance of known or suspected asbestos-containing building material.
Licensed Professionals
Ensure that trained and licensed professionals perform inspections and take response actions.
Custodial Staff Training
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 personnel.
Asbestos Material Reporting
Our asbestos software solution allows for documenting and reporting the location of asbestos materials in buildings and associated abatement projects.
- Map and report the name and address of buildings relevant to a local education agency (LEA)
- Separate buildings by floors and rooms, with materials grouped into functional and homogeneous areas
- Report on the type of materials present as well as their category, condition, quantity, and location
- Track mandatory 3-year re-inspections for each material
Abatement Project Management
Asbestos abatement projects can be created and records of the contractors used, materials abated, and relevant documentation can be maintained in one central location.
AHERA Task Tracking
Our asbestos software allows you to schedule single and recurring tasks through our task tracking software. Tasks can be assigned to different individuals on the asbestos management team and tracked to completion. Examples include:
- Inspections and re-inspections on the required 3-year cycle
- Periodic surveillance of asbestos-containing materials
- Yearly parent and staff notifications
- Custodial staff training assignments
- Management plan updates and reviews
AHERA Training Management
Asbestos awareness training required for custodial staff under AHERA can be conducted using our training management software. You can:
- Create and assign training materials such as videos, slides, and assessments
- Record pre-existing certifications required for asbestos management personnel
- Track training completions and send automated reminders for refresher courses
- Maintain a complete training history for compliance documentation
Asbestos Management
Track materials, buildings, inspections, and abatement projects.
Task Management
Schedule and track inspections, notifications, and compliance tasks.
Training Management
Manage asbestos awareness training and certifications.
Document Management
Store management plans, inspection reports, and notifications.
Inspections & Audits
Digital inspection checklists for 3-year re-inspections and surveillance.
Mobile App
Perform inspections and report findings from the field.
