Just as the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) sets strict regulations regarding asbestos in school buildings, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides building owners and manager’s guidance to properly maintain buildings with known or possible asbestos-containing materials.
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Guidance is available from the EPA for owners and managers of buildings such as offices, shopping centers, hospitals, apartment buildings, nursing facilities, etc., where asbestos may be present. This guidance helps owners and managers to form an O&M program with the ultimate goal of minimizing asbestos exposure of all occupants.
The key to a successful O&M program is the proper training of the maintenance staff and building superintendent. Other key components include:
- Notifying all occupants about the presence of asbestos
- Monitoring asbestos-containing materials
- Controlling jobsites when work involves asbestos-containing materials
- Implementing safe work practices
- Recordkeeping and ensuring worker protection
For more information on proper training, recordkeeping, and to view sample forms, click here.
To learn more about the dangers of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, visit curemeso.org/asbestos.
