The Trust Network is warning schools to make sure they are aware of the continuing threat posed by asbestos in educational buildings

Between March 2018 and February 2019, the Department for Education (DfE) carried out a survey of the then 22,072 state-funded schools in England to enhance its understanding of their management of asbestos.

A total of 88.4% (19,522) of schools responded and the findings, set out below, were published by the DfE in its Asbestos Management Assurance Process (AMAP) report issued in July 2019.

A total of 18,846 (95.9%) of participating schools had an asbestos register and an asbestos management plan, or confirmed absence of asbestos.

But a total of 15,796 (80.9%) of participating schools stated asbestos is present on their estate.

Asbestos should be removed when it cannot be managed effectively in situ, as highlighted in your asbestos management survey

The report reveals that 15,684 (98.9%) have taken professional advice to assist in the management of asbestos; 15,653 (98.7%) have commissioned a management survey to highlight the location of asbestos-containing materials; 15,723 (99.1%) of schools with asbestos present have an asbestos location register (ALR); and 15,145 (95.4%) of schools with asbestos present have an asbestos management plan (AMP).

It also states that 14,815 (93.6%) have assessed the potential risk from asbestos-containing materials; 14,909 (94.2%) have said they review the risks from asbestos-containing materials; and 15,767 (99.6%) have said precautions are in place to ensure anyone who may disturb asbestos-containing materials is provided with information about any asbestos present.

It must be remembered, of course, that 2,550 schools (11.6%) did not participate in the survey, meaning that the state of asbestos-containing materials (if any) in these schools is unknown.

 

What is the health risk from exposure to asbestos?

Exposure to asbestos can lead to increased risk of asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

Asbestosis is a serious lung condition, and mesothelioma is a form of cancer; and both are incurable.

While the use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, due to the 15-45-year time lag between being exposed to asbestos and developing asbestosis or mesothelioma, the number of deaths is now significantly more than the number in the 1970s, according to the Health & Safety Executive.

 

Who is responsible for managing asbestos?

The legal responsibility for the safe management of asbestos lies with the duty holder which, for schools, is the Responsible Body.

The duty to manage asbestos is contained in Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

It requires the duty holder to:

• Take reasonable steps to find out if there are materials containing asbestos in non-domestic premises, and if so, its amount, where it is, and what condition it is in.
• Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
• Make, and keep up to date, a record of the location and condition of the asbestos-containing materials or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos
• Assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified
• Prepare a plan that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed
• Take the necessary steps to put the plan into action
• Periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements to act on it so that the plan remains relevant and up to date
• Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them

There is also a requirement on others to co-operate as far as is necessary to allow the duty holder to comply with the above requirements.

 

When should asbestos be removed?

Asbestos should be removed when it cannot be managed effectively in situ, as highlighted in your asbestos management survey.

Examples taken from school asbestos management reports include:

• Asbestos insulation residue on the walls in boiler rooms and lining pipework
• Asbestos insulating boards on ceilings in storage and maintenance rooms
• Asbestos insulating boards covering up fireplaces in Victorian classrooms
• Asbestos insulation debris in roof voids

 

If your school contains asbestos, what action do you need to take?

The following action should be taken:

• Ensure that you have an asbestos management survey carried out by a suitably qualified professional
• Ensure that you have an asbestos management plan in place based on the information contained in your asbestos management survey and that it is being adhered to
• Ensure that the asbestos-containing materials listed in the asbestos management plan are inspected regularly
• Ensure all staff are informed of the asbestos management plan and given appropriate training regarding what to do if they believe any asbestos-containing materials have been disturbed
• Ensure your asbestos management survey and plan are available at reception for inspection by contractors

The Health & Safety Executive has developed an Asbestos management checklist for schools which you can be accessed via:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/education/asbestos-management-checklist.htm

This is a helpful document for reporting to senior leaders and trustees your trust’s current level of compliance.

For more-detailed information on managing asbestos see the Health & Safety Executive’s document, A comprehensive guide to Managing Asbestos in premises can be accessed via:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg227.pdf