Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response
Act (AHERA) – Worker Level Exam
Questions With Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the Asbestos Hazard
Emergency Response Act (AHERA)?
A. Regulate hazardous waste disposal
B. Protect school occupants from asbestos exposure
C. Regulate lead-based paint activities
D. Establish OSHA construction standards
Correct Answer: B. Protect school occupants from asbestos
exposure
Rationale: AHERA was enacted to address asbestos-containing
materials in schools and to protect students, teachers, and
other building occupants from asbestos exposure through
inspection, management, and response actions.
,2. AHERA primarily applies to:
A. Residential homes
B. Industrial facilities
C. Public and private non-profit elementary and secondary
schools
D. Commercial office buildings
Correct Answer: C. Public and private non-profit elementary
and secondary schools
Rationale: AHERA specifically requires inspections and
management plans for public and private non-profit
elementary and secondary schools.
3. Under AHERA, asbestos-containing material (ACM) contains
asbestos in concentrations greater than:
A. 0.1%
B. 0.5%
C. 1%
D. 5%
Correct Answer: C. 1%
Rationale: EPA defines ACM as any material containing more
than 1% asbestos as determined by approved analytical
methods.
,4. Which federal agency administers AHERA?
A. OSHA
B. EPA
C. CDC
D. NIOSH
Correct Answer: B. EPA
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
developed and enforces AHERA requirements.
5. Friable asbestos-containing material is material that:
A. Is waterproof
B. Contains less than 1% asbestos
C. Can be crumbled by hand pressure when dry
D. Is found only in schools
Correct Answer: C. Can be crumbled by hand pressure when
dry
Rationale: Friable ACM can easily release asbestos fibers when
disturbed because it can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced
to powder by hand pressure when dry.
6. Which of the following is an example of friable ACM?
, A. Vinyl floor tile in good condition
B. Cement pipe
C. Thermal system insulation
D. Asphalt roofing shingles
Correct Answer: C. Thermal system insulation
Rationale: Thermal system insulation is often friable and can
readily release fibers if disturbed.
7. The individual designated by a school to ensure AHERA
compliance is known as the:
A. Competent Person
B. Building Engineer
C. Designated Person
D. Safety Director
Correct Answer: C. Designated Person
Rationale: AHERA requires schools to appoint a Designated
Person responsible for ensuring compliance with AHERA
requirements.
8. Asbestos exposure occurs primarily through:
A. Skin absorption
B. Ingestion only