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EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS
Citation:
Kominsky, J. R., R. W. Freyberg, D. R. Gerber, AND G. J. Centifonti. EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/R-97/063, 1997.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) required all schools to develop and implement an asbestos management plan (AMP). The key component of the AMP is the operations and maintenance (O&M) program. A study was conducted to evaluate the implementation of O&M programs at ten sites representing eight New Jersey schools. The evaluation included aspects required by AHERA as well as those recommended in EPA guidance. Each school's O&M program and compliance with their program during past O&M activities were documented. In addition, ten ongoing O&M activities were documented to determine the impact of the activities on airborne asbestos levels and to determine compliance with the O&M program during these activities. Overall, schools were not implementing all the elements of the O&M program. Schools performed more O&M program elements required by AHERA than those recommended in EPA guidance. The percentage of performance responses given by the schools indicating that the elements of the O&M programs were performed (52%) was higher than those provided by the worker or contractor performing the activity (35 & 22% respectively). Increases in area asbestos levels (by TEM) were observed during five of the ten O&M activities evaluated, however, none of the total fiber levels (by PCM) exceeded the OSHA PEL. This study underscores the importance of a thorough O&M program and the effective communication and implementation of all program elements.