Asbestos management software is a useful tool for businesses, schools and agencies that are required to conduct asbestos surveys and testing.

Asbestos abatement and containment in homes and commercial spaces is not simply a desired environmental goal. Asbestos is a highly toxic substance; federal and state agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA), set out stringent standards and regulations, with attendant fines and sanctions, for failure to institute an appropriate asbestos management plan.

Software for asbestos management helps keep your business in compliance with laws and regulations related to asbestos removal and containment. Asbestos management software creates a database of asbestos surveys, testing results, and abatement efforts that allows you to provide necessary reports and information to federal and state authorities as well as tenants and employees. Using asbestos software, you will be able to provide more accurate and reliable information by collecting data, as well as photographs, drawings, building plans, and electronic reports, in a single repository.


Find the right asbestos software solution for your business by:

1. Determining whether your business should add an asbestos management system by learning more about federal and state regulations regarding asbestos.
2. Assuring that you have in-house knowledge about asbestos management systems.
3. Contacting asbestos management software providers and evaluating products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use OSHA asbestos software to review federal standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Asbestos Advisor provides specific guidance to help you determine whether your business needs an asbestos management system.

I recommend: Download OSHA's Asbestos Advisor. Use the tool to understand how OSHA's asbestos standards may apply to your business. Determining your obligations in relation to state and federal regulations will be key in deciding whether you need asbestos software and what the best asbestos software solution is for your business.

Compare asbestos tracking software

Once you've determined your business needs, look at what each asbestos management software provider has to offer.

I recommend: Test a range of products. Download trial versions of asbestos software, such as ADAM from Ecologic Systems, or contact other asbestos management software providers, such as eClipSys, to get a demonstration of the product; ask to pilot the software before you buy.

Find an asbestos management software provider that can address all your environmental needs

Partner with a provider that supplies not only your asbestos software solution, but can offer other environmental software solutions or services.

I recommend: Look for an asbestos management software provider that can offer management systems for other environmental issues. For example, some suppliers also carry software that can help you test for and comply with regulations on lead paint or indoor air quality.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Investigate whether data will be stored in your own databases or outside of your firewalls, and determine which is best for you. Involve your legal department to assure the confidentiality of any information stored with the asbestos management software supplier.
• •  Your asbestos management system will probably be administered by only a few people. Some software providers offer 'read only' versions of the data, reports, and other information stored in the asbestos software application. If you want to share the data widely in your organization, select an asbestos software supplier that offers this option.
• •  Select an asbestos software application with mobile recording instruments that allow data to be transmitted electronically from off-site locations.