AHERA Notification

ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT (AHERA) 2023-24 NOTIFICATION

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 an original inspection and periodic re-inspections every 3 years for asbestos containing material; the next required triennial inspection will be completed in 2025.
  • 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 2022-23 school year, a minor abatement was performed on the New Paltz Campus in the MHRIC building.
  • During the 2022-23 school year there have been no instances in any of Ulster County BOCES facilities 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 Jim Stoothoff, Health and Safety Coordinator, the Asbestos Designee for Ulster BOCES at 845-255-1400.