Ahera Notification 2022-2023
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) 2022-23 Notification
Dear Parent, Guardian, and School Staff:
The Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires public and private non-profit primary and secondary schools to inspect their buildings for asbestos-containing building materials. This Act went into effect in 1986, and requires schools to:
- Perform and original inspection and periodic re-inspections every 3 years for asbestos containing material; the next required triennial inspection will be completed in 2022.
- Develop, maintain, and update an asbestos management plan and keep a copy at the school; these plans are available for review during the school day.
- Provide yearly notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations regarding the
- availability of the school’s asbestos management plan and any asbestos abatement actions taken or
- planned in the school.
- Designate a contact person to ensure the responsibilities of the local education agency are properly implemented.
- Perform periodic surveillance of known or suspected asbestos containing building material.
- Provide custodial and maintenance staff with yearly asbestos awareness training.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a pro-active, in-place management program whenever Asbestos Containing Building Material is discovered and is not removed.
- Asbestos that has been identified will pose little risk if it is well maintained under an operations and maintenance program.
- Removal is often not a building owner’s best course of action to reduce asbestos exposure. In fact, an improper removal can create a dangerous situation where none previously existed.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only requires asbestos removal to prevent significant public exposure to airborne asbestos fibers during building demolition or renovation activities.
Post Notification:
- During the 2021-22 school year, no asbestos projects were done.
- During the 2021-22 school year there have been no instances where Asbestos was an imminent hazard to the health or well-being of our students or employees.
The District’s management plans are available for review through Health & Safety – Risk Management. For further information, contact Joseph Russo, Assistant Director of Facilities III who is the Asbestos Designee for Orange-Ulster BOCES at (845) 781-4887.