FEDERAL AND WISCONSIN LAWS REQUIRE ASBESTOS SAFETY FOR SCHOOLS AND ON CONSTRUCTION JOBS

Federally, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations are in place to protect the public and workers from asbestos exposure.

The EPA Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) has been in effect since 1987. It requires public and private, kindergarten through 12th grade schools to be safe from asbestos hazards. Schools must have regular asbestos inspections and an asbestos management program. In addition, maintenance and custodial staff must have at least 2 hour asbestos awareness training.

OSHA laws are designed to protect workers on the job from asbestos exposure. These laws require training for people removing or cleaning up asbestos, use of asbestos safe work practices. and for employers to provide appropriate personal protective equipment.

In Wisconsin, the Department of Health Services (DHS) asbestos law (DHS 159) requires training and certification for people doing asbestos work. This law also states that companies must assume that all building materials, except wood, glass, metal, and fiberglass, contain asbestos unless proven otherwise by laboratory testing.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asbestos law (NR 447) requires an inspection before renovation or demolition in most buildings, and the use of proper abatement methods to prevent asbestos air pollution.

All of these laws have been in effect for over 20 years. SA Herbst provides the training required by these laws, and can also assist companies with compliance issues.