Operations and Maintenance Program

An operations and maintenance program, or O&M program, is a set of written procedures for managing asbestos that has been left in place in a building, so that it is not disturbed or, if it is, the work is done safely. It covers training, notification, cleaning, work practices, inspections and record-keeping.

Origin

EPA promoted managing asbestos in place rather than tearing it out, explaining the approach in its 1990 guide Managing Asbestos in Place, often called the Green Book. AHERA rules require O&M programs in schools with friable asbestos, and OSHA rules set related duties for custodial and maintenance work.

Significance in Asbestos Context

Leaving asbestos in place can be safer than removal when the material is intact, but only if the O&M program is followed. Maintenance workers, custodians, electricians and HVAC technicians are the people most likely to disturb asbestos in buildings, and an O&M program is supposed to tell them where it is and how to work around it. When a program exists on paper but is not followed, or when workers are not told about it, those workers can be exposed during routine jobs like drilling into walls, replacing ceiling tiles or repairing pipes. Program records, training logs and work orders can show what was known and what was done.

Example Sentence

The hospital's O&M program required work permits before anyone entered the ceiling space, but the electricians testified they were never told asbestos was there.

Related Terms

Asbestos Management Plan, AHERA, OSHA Class I–IV Asbestos Work, Encapsulation, Abatement, Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM)

Notes

• If you did maintenance work in older buildings, write down the buildings, years and tasks you did.
• Keep any asbestos awareness training records or work permits you received.