Teachers and parents are frequently surprised to learn that asbestos is still present in schools.

As asbestos experts and surveyors, we frequently come with asbestos in varying degrees of repair within school buildings. In this blog article, we’ll discuss what should be in place for schools and how we can help ensure that the next generation of students is secure in the classroom today.

The National Education Unions’ information website on asbestos in schools has further basic information.

THE ISSUE
Between the 1950’s and 1980’s, asbestos materials were extensively employed throughout the United Kingdom in a variety of structures. Asbestos is now well recognised (and has been for some time) as a health hazard and a major concern.

Asbestos was widely used in schools across the country. Asbestos is present in a variety of various regions and materials across buildings and was not outlawed until 1999.

Over the previous two decades of dealing with schools, we’ve discovered that the primary issues we see when it comes to asbestos in schools are as follows:

Surveys conducted in the past Are of low quality that failed to identify asbestos in buildings

Maintenance of asbestos goods has not been carried out on a regular basis, hence increasing the dangers.

Regular re-inspection and management activities have been neglected or omitted.

Paperwork has been misplaced or lost as a result of employee changes or office relocations.

Due to a lack of or outdated knowledge of the norms and standards, the school and duty holder are held accountable.

There is no oversight of contractors on-site, resulting in inadvertent asbestos damage.

Are you unaware of the duty holder’s identity? Alternatively, who is accountable for asbestos.

The aforementioned issues are diverse but more prevalent than they should be in this day and age.

If you are facing any of the aforementioned difficulties, we can provide you with free and unbiased advice on how to regain control of your asbestos management.

WHAT INSTALLATIONS SHOULD A SCHOOL HAVE FOR ASBESTOS?
School buildings, like any other structure constructed prior to 2000, are regulated by The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

This imposes a legal obligation on the person responsible for the building (Duty Holder) to guarantee the safety of individuals who enter and to comply with all asbestos management and regulatory obligations.

The fines, responsibility, and significant health hazards associated with failing to do these activities properly or at all are severe.

Typical asbestos management actions include the following:

Conducting asbestos surveys and re-inspections of previously found asbestos materials in order to determine the current material dangers and necessary remediation

Establishing an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) to monitor and identify all necessary tasks and those accountable for its completion

Executing needed removal or abatement work (usually identified within the re-inspection survey or when damage is caused to a material)

Examine the existing AMP and make necessary modifications when regulations, site conditions, duty holders, employees, or activities change.

Ascertain that staff is properly trained and knowledgeable about asbestos-containing materials on the job.

Ascertain the safety, management, and assessment of contractors and visitors as they enter and operate in the building.

Consult an expert as necessary.

To individuals who are not directly involved with asbestos activities, the list of essential actions may appear daunting. As such, we provide a variety of services to aid and relieve head teachers, facilities managers, deputy heads, and caretakers of their stress.

Many school staff members have discovered themselves not just teaching but also dealing with a slew of building maintenance and facility issues they never anticipated. Additionally, they lack the necessary skill set to carry out the needed acts completely and confidently since they have not obtained the necessary training.

If you believe the things above describe your school’s situation and would need assistance or just want to seek advice, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your asbestos concern.

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