OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Asbestos Management for Facility Managers
Develop practical knowledge of asbestos hazards, U.S. workplace requirements, building records, exposure prevention, contractor coordination, and facility asbestos management planning.
This 30-hour course is designed for facility and property professionals who need to understand how to manage asbestos-related information and coordinate safe building operations. It focuses on management, communication, and referral to qualified specialists—not authorization to inspect, sample, remove, or abate asbestos.
About the Asbestos Management Course for Facility Managers
Asbestos was used in many building materials because of its heat resistance, strength, and insulating properties. Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) may remain in older commercial, institutional, industrial, and residential buildings. When disturbed, these materials can release airborne fibers that may cause serious diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Facility managers have an important role in ensuring that building information is available before maintenance, renovation, demolition, or contractor activities begin. This includes reviewing existing asbestos records, communicating known or suspected hazards, coordinating with employers and qualified asbestos professionals, and ensuring that work is planned in accordance with applicable requirements.
The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Asbestos Management for Facility Managers introduces learners to the U.S. regulatory landscape, potential ACM and PACM, asbestos management plans, building records, work authorization, contractor coordination, waste documentation, and incident response. It covers OSHA general industry and construction standards, relevant EPA requirements, and the importance of checking state and local rules.
The course is professional development training. It does not, by itself, qualify learners as EPA-accredited asbestos inspectors, management planners, project designers, abatement workers, or supervisors, and it does not authorize asbestos sampling or removal.
Who Should Take This Course?
The course is intended for professionals responsible for building operations, maintenance planning, property compliance, and contractor coordination.
Entry Requirements
- Age
- Learners must be at least 18 years old.
- Education
- A high school diploma or equivalent is recommended.
- Experience
- Prior experience is not mandatory. Facility management, maintenance, construction, or safety experience is beneficial.
- Language
- English reading and comprehension skills sufficient to understand course materials and assessment questions.
Course Study Units
The 30-hour course is organized into eight units. The curriculum focuses on facility asbestos management, applicable U.S. requirements, records, contractor coordination, and prevention of unintended disturbance.
| # | Study Unit | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Asbestos and Its Health Risks | 3 hours |
| 2 | Legal and Regulatory Framework for Asbestos Management | 4 hours |
| 3 | Identifying and Assessing Asbestos Risks in Buildings | 4 hours |
| 4 | Developing an Asbestos Management Plan | 4 hours |
| 5 | Asbestos Control Measures and Safe Work Practices | 5 hours |
| 6 | Managing Asbestos Removal Projects | 4 hours |
| 7 | Asbestos Waste Management and Disposal | 3 hours |
| 8 | Health Surveillance and Worker Safety | 3 hours |
| Total course duration | 30 hours | |
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes below follow the same eight study units and subject areas published on the original course page. They have been expressed for U.S. facility management practice and distinguish management coordination from regulated asbestos inspection, sampling, and abatement activities.
1Introduction to Asbestos and Its Health Risks (3 Hours)
- Explain what asbestos is, its common forms, and why it was widely used in construction and building products.
- Recognize building materials and systems that may contain asbestos-containing materials (ACM).
- Describe the health effects associated with inhaling airborne asbestos fibers, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
- Explain why facility managers should prevent unintended disturbance, communicate known or suspected hazards, and obtain qualified professional support.
2Legal and Regulatory Framework for Asbestos Management (4 Hours)
- Explain the relevant requirements and general scope of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1001 for applicable general industry activities.
- Explain the relevant requirements and general scope of OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 for covered construction activities.
- Recognize the role of EPA asbestos requirements, including the Asbestos NESHAP under 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M, and AHERA under 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E, where applicable.
- Identify facility owner, employer, and contractor responsibilities and recognize that state and local rules may add requirements for licensing, notification, training, and disposal.
3Identifying and Assessing Asbestos Risks in Buildings (4 Hours)
- Explain how ACM and presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM) are addressed in relevant OSHA contexts.
- Recognize how building age, material type, condition, location, and planned activities affect the review of potential asbestos risks.
- Explain why visual inspection alone cannot confirm whether a material contains asbestos and why qualified inspection and laboratory analysis may be required.
- Review available building records and inspection reports, and recognize when potentially disturbing work should be stopped or deferred pending qualified assessment.
4Developing an Asbestos Management Plan (4 Hours)
- Describe the purpose and key components of an asbestos management plan appropriate to a facility.
- Explain how to maintain asbestos registers, location records, inspection information, and other relevant facility documentation.
- Develop practical arrangements for making current asbestos information available before maintenance, renovation, or contractor activities.
- Explain how monitoring, communication, change control, periodic review, and record retention support effective asbestos management.
5Asbestos Control Measures and Safe Work Practices (5 Hours)
- Recognize maintenance and building activities that may disturb ACM or PACM, including drilling, cutting, ceiling access, and service repairs.
- Explain the purpose of warning labels, restricted access, work authorization, hazard communication, and other facility-level controls.
- Describe how facility managers coordinate with employers, safety personnel, and qualified asbestos contractors to prevent exposure.
- Explain the role of applicable OSHA exposure controls, work practices, and respiratory protection programs without independently prescribing or performing regulated asbestos work.
6Managing Asbestos Removal Projects (4 Hours)
- Describe the facility manager’s planning and coordination responsibilities for renovation, demolition, repair, or maintenance projects where asbestos may be present.
- Identify relevant contractor information to review, including qualifications, applicable licenses or accreditations, training, insurance, and project scope.
- Explain the importance of determining which OSHA, EPA, state, and local notifications and project requirements apply.
- Describe how to coordinate occupants, access, schedules, operational continuity, project records, and closeout information without directing regulated abatement methods or certifying clearance.
7Asbestos Waste Management and Disposal (3 Hours)
- Explain why asbestos waste must be handled, transported, and disposed of in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
- Recognize the relevance of EPA NESHAP waste-handling provisions to covered demolition and renovation activities.
- Describe the facility manager’s role in coordinating qualified contractors and reviewing applicable waste transfer and disposal documentation.
- Explain why facility personnel should not handle, package, or repackage asbestos waste unless they have the required training, authorization, and protective measures.
8Health Surveillance and Worker Safety (3 Hours)
- Explain employer responsibilities for employee information, training, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance where required by applicable OSHA standards.
- Recognize the purpose of medical surveillance under relevant OSHA asbestos requirements and distinguish it from the facility manager’s role.
- Describe initial facility-level actions following suspected accidental disturbance, including stopping affected work, restricting access, and notifying designated personnel.
- Explain the importance of incident reporting, professional escalation, corrective-action records, and authorization before affected work resumes.
Assessment and Certification
How You Are Assessed
The course assessment consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) administered through the OSHAA Approved Training Partner. Learners must achieve a minimum score of 70% to pass.
- Assessment format: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Minimum passing score: 70%
- Assessment administration: OSHAA Approved Training Partner
- Course duration: 30 hours across eight study units
Your Certificate
Learners who complete the course requirements and achieve the required assessment result receive the OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in Asbestos Management for Facility Managers.
This course certificate records completion of OSHAA training. It is not an EPA or state asbestos accreditation, professional license, or authorization to perform regulated asbestos inspection, sampling, removal, or abatement work.
Benefits of the Asbestos Management Course
This course develops practical knowledge that can support facility management, building maintenance planning, and coordination of asbestos-related responsibilities.
Understand Asbestos Hazards
Learn about asbestos, common building applications, health effects, and why preventing disturbance is essential.
Understand U.S. Requirements
Develop awareness of relevant OSHA standards, EPA requirements, and the need to check state and local rules.
Improve Building Information Management
Understand how asbestos records, registers, inspection reports, and renovation histories support facility decisions.
Support Safer Maintenance Planning
Recognize activities that may disturb ACM or PACM and establish appropriate review and escalation steps before work begins.
Coordinate Contractors Effectively
Learn what information facility teams should request and how to coordinate with employers and qualified asbestos professionals.
Strengthen Communication
Improve communication with maintenance teams, occupants, contractors, property stakeholders, and safety personnel.
Improve Incident Preparedness
Understand the initial facility response to suspected accidental disturbance and the importance of controlled access and escalation.
Support Documentation and Oversight
Understand the value of work records, contractor documents, notifications, waste records, and project closeout information.
Related Career and Professional Development Opportunities
The course may support professional development in facility operations, property management, maintenance, and safety coordination. Employment eligibility and job responsibilities depend on experience, employer requirements, and any additional licenses, training, or credentials required for a role.
Facility Manager
Supports building operations and coordinates asbestos-related information and specialist services.
Property Manager
Uses asbestos management knowledge when overseeing property records, maintenance, and contractor activities.
Building Operations Manager
Integrates asbestos information into operational planning and building service coordination.
Maintenance Supervisor
Checks relevant building information and escalates potential ACM disturbance risks before work proceeds.
Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator
Supports hazard communication, safety documentation, and coordination with qualified professionals.
Renovation Project Coordinator
Considers asbestos information and applicable requirements during project planning and contractor coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos Management for Facility Managers
What is asbestos management in facility management?
Asbestos management in facility management involves maintaining relevant building information, communicating known or suspected asbestos hazards, planning work to avoid unintended disturbance, and coordinating qualified professionals when inspection, sampling, repair, or abatement is needed.
What are a facility manager’s responsibilities when asbestos is present?
Responsibilities depend on the facility, applicable standards, and the manager’s role. They may include maintaining and communicating available asbestos information, ensuring it is considered before maintenance or renovation, coordinating contractors, and escalating concerns to qualified personnel.
Which OSHA regulations cover asbestos in U.S. workplaces?
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1001 addresses asbestos in general industry. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 addresses asbestos in construction. Which standard applies depends on the work and workplace circumstances.
What is the difference between ACM and PACM?
ACM means asbestos-containing material. PACM means presumed asbestos-containing material and is a term used in specified OSHA contexts. The applicable definition and presumption depend on the standard and building circumstances.
When should a facility manager arrange an asbestos inspection?
A facility manager should follow applicable requirements and facility procedures when asbestos information is missing or insufficient, when planned work may disturb building materials, or when material condition or an incident raises concern. Inspection and sampling should be performed by appropriately qualified personnel.
What should a facility manager do if suspected asbestos material is damaged?
Stop or defer activities that could disturb the material, keep people away from the affected area, avoid actions that could spread dust, and promptly notify the designated safety contact and appropriate qualified asbestos professional. Follow the facility’s emergency procedures.
Does OSHA require building owners to maintain asbestos information?
OSHA asbestos standards include specific building and facility owner communication and information requirements in applicable circumstances. The precise duties depend on the standard and work involved; the course introduces these responsibilities rather than providing legal advice.
Does AHERA apply to commercial buildings?
AHERA primarily establishes asbestos inspection and management requirements for covered public and nonprofit private school buildings. It should not be treated as a general asbestos management law for every commercial property.
Can a facility manager remove asbestos after completing this course?
No. Completing this course does not qualify or authorize a learner to remove, disturb, inspect, or abate asbestos. Those activities may require specific training, accreditation, licensing, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Does this diploma qualify someone as an EPA-accredited asbestos inspector?
No. The OSHAA diploma is not, by itself, EPA or state accreditation. EPA’s Model Accreditation Plan and applicable state programs establish training and accreditation requirements for specified asbestos disciplines.
How is the course assessed?
The assessment consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Learners must achieve at least 70% to pass.
What are the entry requirements and course duration?
Learners must be at least 18 years old. A high school diploma or equivalent is recommended. The course is 30 hours across eight study units. Prior facility management or safety experience is beneficial but not mandatory.
Is the course available online or in person?
Available delivery formats depend on the OSHAA Approved Training Partner. Contact the selected partner to confirm online, classroom, or blended options, schedules, and fees.
How can I find an OSHAA Approved Training Partner?
Visit the OSHAA Approved Training Partner directory or contact support@oshamericana.com for assistance.
How to Study the OSHAA Asbestos Management Course
Learners enroll through an OSHAA Approved Training Partner, which confirms delivery arrangements, schedules, fees, and learner support.
- 1
Find a Training Partner
Choose an OSHAA Approved Training Partner or contact OSHAA for assistance.
- 2
Confirm Enrollment
Check the entry requirements, course fees, study format, and schedule with the partner.
- 3
Complete the Eight Units
Study the 30-hour course covering facility asbestos management and relevant U.S. requirements.
- 4
Complete the Assessment
Attempt the 100-question MCQ assessment and achieve at least 70% to pass.
- 5
Receive Your OSHAA Certificate
Successful learners receive the OSHAA course certificate after meeting the course requirements.
