Asbestos in Our Schools

Asbestos in Our Schools

Asbestos in Our Schools has never been a more pressing issue than it is now. It is estimated that asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are present in over 90% of the schools and colleges in the UK.

Research conducted by the trade association which represents asbestos testing laboratories in the UK (ATaC - Asbestos Testing and Consultancy) has shown that in over 80% of cases, asbestos management is not being carried out effectively within schools and colleges, and as such, teachers, students, visitors, maintenance staff and external contractors are being put at risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

Any building constructed before 2000 might reasonably contain ACMs. Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006 requires that the Dutyholder (i.e. person responsible for asbestos management within a particular building) creates an Asbestos Management Plan. This document should outline how the Dutyholder intends to minimise the risks of persons being exposed to airborne asbestos fibre while on their premises and is a specific requirement of the regulatory compliance under Regulation 4 (Duty to Manage) of CAR2006.

Bradley Environmental are the leading voice in the Asbestos in Our Schools and Colleges Campaign, the aim of which is to improve the effectiveness of asbestos management policies and procedures within the UK's school and college buildings. As part of this campaign, Bradley Environmental are offering local schools and colleges a confidential, Free of Charge Asbestos Management Review

Should you feel that such a review would benefit your organisation, one of our expert consultants can undertake a desktop study of your existing asbestos records and carry out on-the ground inspections to assess the effectiveness of your asbestos management procedures. The information gained will be used to produce a bespoke report for your site which outlines the effectiveness of your current asbestos management strategies and, where necessary, will make recommendation as to how they can be improved. 

The asbestos management strategy for your site can be broken down in to six simple steps as outlined below. These are the initial criteria our consultant would use to assess and review your current asbestos management policy:

1. Identification - Identify and assess the ACMs that are present within your building, recording details such as their location, type and condition;

2. Priority Risk Assessment - Assess the risk of exposure to the identified ACMs for the building occupants (i.e. your employees, students, visitors, staff, contractors etc);

3. Prepare and Implement a Management Plan - Prepare a written plan that outlines how you intend to manage the risk posed by the ACMs present on your site. This should clearly outline your strategy for ensuring no-one is exposed to asbestos on your premises;

4. Asbestos Awareness Training - Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006 states that employers have a duty to provide training to 'those persons who are liable to be exposed to asbestos whilst carrying out their normal everyday work'. This will include maintenance staff, site managers and caretakers.

5. Provide Information to Others - The report highlighting the location and condition of all ACMs present within the building (i.e. the type II or management survey) should be made available to all persons who are likely to disturb them (i.e. estates services, maintenance engineers, external contractors etc.), as well as to the emergency services.

6. Periodic Review - The information upon which the management plan is based (i.e. the survey), should be updated periodically as ACMs are removed, treated, or their condition alters. As a minimum, this should be carried out annually by a competent person, and the management plan updated accordingly.

For more detailed guidance on how to effectively comply with this legislation, please refer to HSE Document A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Asbestos in Premises (HSG227), which is available from the HSE's website at www.hsebooks.co.uk.

To take advantage of this unique opportunity to undertake a review of your asbestos management strategy, please click on the following link to go to our main contacts page or simply use our quick contact form below selecting Asbestos in Our Schools and one of our representatives will be in touch as soon as possible.

Alternatively contact Steve Flynn on sflynn@bradley-enviro.co.uk.

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