Asbestos
Contact: Mike Burke, mjb7@psu.edu814-865-6391

Asbestos was widely used in building materials from around the 1940's to the early 1980’s and since most University buildings were constructed during that time, asbestos management is a major program. The University's current policy is that of in-place management. That is, asbestos is only handled or removed when necessary, prior to renovations, demolitions, when the material could be disturbed, or when the material is damaged. Several federal and state agencies also regulate asbestos-related activities at Penn State, including EPA, PA DEP and the PA Department of Labor and Industry.

Penn State’s Asbestos Management Program was developed and implemented by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). The major components of the program are listed below:

Services Offered

• Training
• Surveys and inspections of suspected materials
• Evaluations of potential hazards
• Asbestos project designs, coordination and inspections

Program Support Information

• Asbestos Awareness Training
• Asbestos Blockplans
• Asbestos Contractor Prequalification Procedures  
• Asbestos Identification - EPA Sample List of Suspect Materials 
• Asbestos Identification - PSU Quick Reference 
• Asbestos Management Program Manual 
• Asbestos Removal Performance Specification  
• OPP Asbestos Worker and Supervisor Standard Operating Procedure  
• Demolition/Hauling Contractor Prequalification Procedures

More Information

• Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) - Asbestos and Air Quality Regulations
• OSHA Fact Sheet: Asbestos  
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP)
• Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (PA L&I) - Asbestos Regulations
• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)