What is a primary responsibility of a Building Inspector under AHERA and ASHARA?

A primary responsibility of a Building Inspector under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA) is to determine the presence of Asbestos Containing Building Materials (ACBM) in a building. This task is crucial because identifying locations and conditions of ACBM helps in assessing potential health risks, planning for maintenance or repairs, and ensuring safe management or removal.

Under AHERA, inspectors are trained to conduct thorough inspections, which often includes collecting bulk samples to analyze materials for asbestos content. This ensures that any asbestos risks within school buildings or other facilities are noted and can be addressed appropriately in order to safeguard the health of occupants. The focus here is primarily on the recognition of Asbestos-containing materials to inform further actions, such as remediation or management practices, thus forming the foundation of asbestos-related protocols in building inspections.