The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) is a US federal law enacted in 1986 by the 99th United States Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. Its purpose is to protect students and school employees from asbestos exposure in school buildings. 

Inspections and Management:

• Public and non-profit private schools, including charter schools and those affiliated with religious institutions, are required to:
• Inspect their schools for asbestos-containing building material.
• Prepare management plans to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards.
• The focus is on in-place management of asbestos-containing material, and removal is typically not necessary unless the material is severely damaged or will be disturbed during building demolition or renovation.

Training and Accreditation:

• Personnel working on asbestos activities in schools must be trained and accredited according to The Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan.
• If asbestos removal during renovation is warranted or school buildings will be demolished, schools must comply with the Asbestos National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).

Ongoing Requirements:

• Schools must perform an original inspection to identify asbestos-containing materials and then re-inspect every three years.
• They must develop, maintain, and update an asbestos management plan that includes recommended response actions, asbestos locations, and repair/removal actions.
• Schools provide yearly notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations about the availability of the management plan and any asbestos-related actions taken or planned.
• Regular surveillance of known or suspected asbestos-containing materials is essential.
• Custodial staff receive asbestos-awareness training.

Purpose and Implementation:

• AHERA aims to ensure safe conditions in schools by addressing asbestos risks while minimizing unnecessary removal.
• State and local agencies may have more stringent standards than those required by the Federal government.

For further information visit the AHERA site

Annual Asbestos Notification Notice:

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires school districts to annually inspect and identify asbestos-containing building materials, and to notify those who have access to the buildings of the condition of the asbestos. Additionally, a management plan must be developed outlining how the district intends to control the potential for exposure and maintain the materials in a safe condition. Our management plan, as determined by ongoing inspections, indicates that our buildings are free from friable, asbestos-containing materials. 

A copy of the district’s management plan is on file at each school as well as tat the District Administration Office. Individual builging inspections are on file in each principal’s office.