Public institutions such as schools have an added layer of regulatory responsibilities regarding hazardous building materials including asbestos and lead paint. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Public and non-profit private schools have distinct regulatory requirements to protect school children and school employees from asbestos exposure.  AHERA and its regulations require public school districts and non-profit schools including charter schools and schools affiliated with religious institutions to:

Inspect their schools for asbestos-containing building material
Prepare management plans and to take action to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards

These legal requirements are founded on the principle of “in-place” management of asbestos-containing material. Removal of these materials is not usually necessary unless the material is severely damaged or will be disturbed by a building demolition or renovation project.

RCP Environmental personnel are trained specifically on how to assist school districts as they navigate local, State, and Federal regulations that apply specifically to them. Our staff of AHERA Certified Inspectors, Project Designers, and Management Planners have years of experience and have successfully managed a wide variety of asbestos projects for school districts throughout Washington and Oregon.