03-28-2025 - LEA (Local Education Agency) Designated Person - IL - Willowbrook, IL

Why Should You Take This LEA (Local Education Agency) Designated Person Course?

Local education agencies (LEAs) must safeguard children from airborne asbestos fibers in schools. This LEA (Local Education Agency) Designated Person course provides the required training under AHERA for Local Education Agencies (LEA's) to comply with the Asbestos Containing Materials in schools rule. This training provides information on an LEA's responsibilites for asbestos inspections, reinspections, abatement projects, non-friable floor tile removal, management plans and record-keeping in schools. 

Responsibilities of the LEA:

The Illinois Asbestos Abatement Act and Code requires a designated person in each LEA to oversee all asbestos management plan activities. This person must receive adequate training, as required by the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), about asbestos and its various uses and forms and about the health effects associated with asbestos exposure. The designated person must also know the locations of asbestos-containing building material (ACBM) identified in school buildings and recognize deterioration and delamination of ACBM. The person whould also be aware of the availability and location of the school's management plan and have knowledge of upcoming renovation projects to determine if they will impact asbestos-containing materials (ACM).

Education or Experience Requirments:  There are no prerequisites for this course. 

Intended Audience:  School peronnel, maintenance personnel, the principal will desginate this janitorial person to oversee the asbestos removal activities. All he does is make sure the electrical contractor, building contractor knowing where the asbestos is so they do not disturb.

Each LEA shall ensure the following:

• Anyone who conducts any inspections, reinspections or abatement projects; develops of updates management plans; or performs operations and maintenance that will disturb ACM are licensed asbestos professionals.
• All custodial and maintenance staff have received a two-hour asbestos awareness training and 14 hours of operations and maintenance training as described in AHERA.  
• The parents, teachers and employee organizations are notified on an annual basis of all inspections, response actions and periodic surveillance that are planned or in progress in regard to asbestos in each school building.
• Short-term workers (i.e. telephone repair workers, utility workers or exterminators) are informed of the locations of ACBM in school buildings.
• Warning signs are posted immediately adjacent to ACM in routine maintenance areas. 
• Parents, teachers, and employee organizations are notified in writing on an annual basis of the availability of the school's management plan.
• Records are properly maintained. 
• Each management plan contains a statement, signed by the designated person, that certifies the LEA's responsibilities have been or will be met.
• Reinspections are conducted at least once every three (3) years after a management plan is in effect and the school reinspection form is sent to the Department within 30 days after the inspection.

Topics To Be Covered Include: 

• Detection of asbestos-containing material 
• Identification of asbestos-containing material
• Assessment of asbestos-containing material
• Health effects of asbestos Exposure
• Controlling asbestos-containing building material,
• Asbestos management plans
• Federal and state regulations

Governing Body and Compliance Code:  Illinois Department of Public Health, part of the AHERA program. Illinois Asbestos Abatement Code: 105 ILCS 105 855.300