All schools are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have an asbestos management plan that follows the guidelines set forth in the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). The main component of the management plan is the operations and maintenance program for known in-place asbestos containing materials on school sites. This section details work procedures to prevent the release of any asbestos during the course of normal maintenance and repairs as well as if there is any damage to the school property. It is only effective if there is a commitment to follow the guidelines and it is actually implemented properly.
Although all schools are required to have and follow such plans, the actuality of this is not closely monitored. The New Jersey Environmental Health Services and New Jersey regional EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory decided to conduct a study to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the asbestos management programs at ten selected sites throughout the state. Using standard forms of measurement, levels of asbestos were documented while workers performed the outlined activities from the operations and maintenance program.
The study found that overall the schools were not comprehensively implementing the operations and maintenance program, with compliance ranging from 46% to 84%. Further, they found that the designated school personnel were not necessarily aware of all the program elements, and outside contractors were even less knowledgeable. Therefore workers and contractors failed to completely comply while conducting activities. The biggest breakdown was in making sure that the designated person not only knew all the elements, but then also communicated them to outside contractors and other workers.
Perhaps most worrisome of all was the finding that when work was performed in the vicinity of materials that contained asbestos, the levels of airborne exposure exceeded permissible safety standards as set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Based on the findings, several recommendations were made for further education and training to all responsible parties. Other recommendations were:
Commitment to and compliance with full implementation of asbestos management plans will ensure the safety of workers, students and school staff. If interested in further information, please contact your local school district and ask to speak to the designated person in charge of the asbestos management plan or contact your local EPA branch.