• What Is AHERA?
• How Does AHERA Accreditation Work?
• Which AHERA Accreditation Do You Need?
• What Is Cal/OSHA Certification?

What Is AHERA?

In 1986, the U.S. Congress passed the Asbestos Hazards Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Amendments to the act in 1994 mandated specific training and "accreditation" for all individuals doing inspection, project design, project supervision, and project work involving asbestos in schools, public and commercial buildings.

With only minor exceptions, you must be an AHERA accredited inspector to take even one sample of an asbestos-containing product. You must be an AHERA accredited supervisor or worker whenever you create more debris than will fit in one standard waste bag or glovebag.

There are a few exceptions to the accreditation requirement. First, government enforcement personnel are exempt. Second, you don't need AHERA accreditation if the building is a residential building with 10 or fewer units. Third, you don't need AHERA worker or supervisor accreditation if, during a regular maintenance activity, you disturb less than one waste bag of debris or use only one glovebag. (Other training is still required.)

How Does AHERA Accreditation Work?

You obtain AHERA accreditation by attending a basic course in a specific AHERA specialty and passing the exam. All of COEH's asbestos courses lead to AHERA accreditation. You receive a certificate documenting your accreditation. It is dated the day you pass the exam. The certificate is valid for one year. After that year expires, you cannot do that type of work. You can regain accreditation by taking a one-day refresher course for that specific discipline. You will again be accredited for one year.

The year following the expiration of your certificate is called the "grace period." You can regain accreditation by taking the refresher course anytime during your grace period. COEH offers refresher courses. If your grace period expires and you haven't taken the correct refresher course, the only way you can regain accreditation in that discipline is by retaking the entire basic course. There are no exceptions to this grace period rule.

Accredited persons must keep track of their accreditation and when they must take a refresher course.

Which AHERA Accreditation Do You Need?

Do you want to collect samples to determine if a product contains asbestos, or do you want to inspect a building for asbestos?

If so, you must obtain AHERA Building Inspector accreditation. You must take at least the three-clay course, Building Inspection for Asbestos. This accreditation is mandatory for work in schools and for Cal/OSHA Site Surveillance Technician certification (see section below).

Do you want to determine if the asbestos in a building is hazardous? Do you want to review possible response options for controlling asbestos?

If so, you must obtain AHERA Management Planner accreditation. You must take the five-day course, Building Inspection and Management Planning for Asbestos. This accreditation is mandatory for work in schools and for Cal/OSHA Asbestos Consultant certification (see section below).

Do you want to conduct asbestos abatement or supervise an asbestos abatement project?

If so, you must obtain AHERA Contractor/Supervisor accreditation. You must take the five-day course, Practices and Procedures in Asbestos Control. This accreditation is mandatory for anyone supervising asbestos removal work where the debris will require more than one waste bag or glovebag, and for Cal/OSHA Asbestos Consultant certification (see section below). You may also act as a worker, not just a supervisor, with this accreditation.

Do you want to design an asbestos abatement project? That is, do you want to develop the plans, specifications, cost estimates, and contract documents?

If so, you must obtain AHERA Project Designer accreditation. You must take the three-day course, Designing Asbestos Abatement Projects. This accreditation is mandatory for Cal/OSHA Asbestos Consultant certification (see section below).

Note: This course has a prerequisite of extensive asbestos work experience or completion of the Contractor/Supervisor course.

Are you a worker who will disturb more asbestos than will fit in one glovebag or waste container?

If so, you must obtain AHERA Worker accreditation. The EPA requires you to take a four-day worker course. You may satisfy the requirement with our Practices and Procedures in Asbestos Control supervisor course (but please note that a certain level of reading skill is required). COEH at UC Berkeley does not offer a specific Worker accreditation course. Contact Cal/OSHA at (916) 574-2993 for a list of Cal/OSHA-approved training schools that offer worker courses. COEH can also refer you to schools that offer them.

Do you need OSHA Class III or EPA Operations and Maintenance training?

The EPA and OSHA now require various levels of asbestos training for maintenance workers who may disturb small amounts of asbestos. This may range from 4 to 16 hours of training. COEH at UC Berkeley does not offer this type of training. Contact Cal/OSHA at (916) 574-2993 for a list of Cal/OSHA-approved training schools that offer these courses. COEH can also refer you to schools that offer them.

What Is Cal/OSHA Certification?

In California, Cal/OSHA regulations follow AHERA requirements. Cal/OSHA has a process called "certification." To become Cal/OSHA certified, you must show proof of AHERA accreditation in various specialties, meet educational and experience requirements, pass a Cal/OSHA exam, and pay an annual fee.

Our courses provide the necessary AHERA accreditations. You will still need to meet the experience requirements, pass the Cal/OSHA exam, and pay the fee.

There are two types of Cal/OSHA certification: Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC) and Site Surveillance Technician (SST). Each requires a different set of AHERA accreditations.

You must be individually certified by Cal/OSHA if you contract to provide Asbestos Consultant or Site Surveillance Technician services to others, or if you are a state employee who provides these services.

You do not need to be Cal/OSHA certified if you only perform these tasks for your own employer in their own buildings (unless your employer is the state).

You must be Cal/OSHA certified if you do any of the following tasks:

• Perform inspections

• Write management plans

• Monitor abatement projects

• Conduct clearance air sampling

• Perform certain other tasks defined by Cal/OSHA.

For the specific courses and accreditations required for each type of certification, see Types of Cal/OSHA Certification and Required Courses.

Check with the Cal/OSHA Asbestos Certification Program at (916) 574-2993 for more information before enrolling in courses to meet this requirement.

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