Asbestos Control Program

Schools- AHERA  

The RI Asbestos Act (Title 23-24.5) defines schools as High Priority Buildings and prioritizes inspection of these buildings by the Department of Health. As the onset of illnesses caused by asbestos fiber exposure typically takes 20-30 years to occur, protection of children is of great importance. It should be understood that neither Federal nor State regulations require the removal of asbestos containing materials from schools. However, it is required that all asbestos containing building materials, as well as presumed asbestos containing building materials, in schools be identified and maintained in a condition so as to not present a health risk.  

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was enacted in 1986 and mandated the US Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate rules regarding asbestos hazards in schools. To implement this mandate, EPA promulgated the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule. This rule requires all private and public non-profit elementary and secondary schools to inspect their schools for asbestos containing building materials (ACBM), develop a plan to manage the asbestos in each school building, notify parents and staff regarding the management plan availability, provide asbestos awareness training to school maintenance and custodial workers, and implement timely actions (repair, encapsulation, enclosure, removal) to deal with dangerous asbestos situations. The following is an outline of several additional required actions by a Local Education Agency (LEA), under the AHERA regulations

• Assign and train a designated person to oversee asbestos activities and ensure compliance with AHERA requirements. 
• Provide maintenance and custodial staff with two-hour asbestos awareness training. 
• Conduct an initial inspection to identify ACBM in all school buildings.
• Conduct periodic surveillance, at least every six months, in buildings that contain ACBM. 
• Conduct reinspections every three years by a certified inspector/ management planner. 
• Provide annual notifications regarding asbestos inspections and response actions to workers, occupants and legal guardians. 
• Post warning labels adjacent to ACBM located in routine maintenance areas. 
• Maintain documentation of inspections, reinspections, surveillance, response actions and training.

The US EPA has delegated the RI Asbestos Control Program to monitor AHERA compliance in the State. An aggressive education, outreach and inspection program is conducted by the staff of the RI Asbestos Control Program to confirm that Rhode Island’s schools comply with the requirements of AHERA. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in enforcement actions against the LEA by both the US EPA and the RI Department of Health.

To discuss asbestos in schools and AHERA requirements with a Department of Health industrial hygienist, please contact us at (401) 222-3601.

Additional information on asbestos in schools and AHERA requirements may be obtained at the following links.

School Asbestos Resources:

EPA Asbestos in Schools Website: 


EPA Healthy Schools Website: 

C.O.N.E.S.  AHERA Information Sheet
EPA Guide:  The ABC’s of Asbestos in Schools
Floor Covering Maintenance Guide:
Designated Person Self Study Guide:

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