AHERA was enacted in 1986. The purpose of AHERA is to ensure that LEAs safely manage asbestos containing materials found in schools. This is done through the implementation of a school-specific Management Plan. The regulation requires LEAs to:

• designate and train an individual (the Designated Person) to ensure that the LEA's AHERA requirements are implemented properly;
• ensure that an accredited person conducts an initial inspection in each school building;
• ensure that an accredited person develops a Management Plan for each school building;
• ensure that only accredited persons design and conduct response actions;
• provide asbestos awareness training to all maintenance and custodial staff;
• notify building occupants and workers annually of all asbestos-related activities;
• ensure that all short-term workers who may come into contact with asbestos-containing materials in the school are provided with information regarding its location;
• develop an Operations and Maintenance Plan whenever friable asbestos is present in a school building;
• perform 6 month periodic surveillance to document any changes in the condition of asbestos-containing materials;
• post warning labels in all routine maintenance areas;
• ensure that an accredited person conducts a reinspection of the school at least every three years after the initial inspection; and
• document all asbestos-related activities in the Management Plan.