ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT (AHERA)

Responsibility under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires public school districts and non-profit schools, including charter schools and schools affiliated with religious institutions, to inspect their schools for asbestos-containing building materials, to prepare management plans and to take action to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards.  These legal requirements are founded on the principle of “in-place” management of asbestos-containing material. Removal of this material is not usually necessary unless the material is severely damaged or will be disturbed by a building demolition or renovation project.