17 Feb HSE Asbestos Inspection – Are You Ready?
Warning: Pre-2000 Schools at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Prior to 2000, asbestos was commonly used in the construction of schools in the UK, in wall and ceiling insulation, roofing material and floor tiles. Asbestos fibres can become airborne if disturbed and when inhaled can cause serious and sometimes fatal disease such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Are you ready for a HSE Asbestos Inspection?
HSE inspectors will be contacting schools in your area to arrange a suitable date and time for an asbestos inspection. They will need to speak to someone* with knowledge of how asbestos is managed by your school and will ask to see documentation in advance of the visit e.g., your asbestos register and management plan. This plan should include an inventory of asbestos containing materials, a regular schedule for inspections, and procedures for removal and containment. Schools should also demonstrate asbestos awareness training for staff, teachers, and students.
*Those responsible for maintenance and repair – duty holders – are responsible for protecting others, who work or use the premises, from exposure to asbestos. In some schools, the responsibility for maintenance or repair is shared, for example, between a local authority as employer and the school. In other schools, the responsibility may fall solely to a governing body as employer.
If you answer ‘no’ to any of the following questions, please get in contact with RS Asbestos, the industry experts for a FREE asbestos health check.
Is your school management team aware of who has overall legal responsibility for the management and repair of the school building?
Has your duty holder carried out a management survey?
Has the management survey highlighted the location of asbestos containing materials?
Does the duty holder have a management plan detailing how to manage the risks from any ACMs at your school?
Are any in-house staff who may undertake maintenance work, adequately trained?
Are precautions in place to ensure contractors such as electricians, builders, plumbers, carpenters etc ** who may disturb asbestos containing materials, are provided with information about any asbestos present?
Is your school management team aware of who has overall legal responsibility for the management and repair of the school building?
Has your duty holder carried out a management survey?
Has the management survey highlighted the location of asbestos containing materials?
Does the duty holder have a management plan detailing how to manage the risks from any ACMs at your school?
Are any in-house staff who may undertake maintenance work, adequately trained?
Are precautions in place to ensure contractors such as electricians, builders, plumbers, carpenters etc ** who may disturb asbestos containing materials, are provided with information about any asbestos present?
**Please note Only licenced contractors must be used for most work with asbestos insulation, asbestos insulating board and asbestos coatings. If unsure about the content or location of any materials in the first instance contact RS Asbestos, the industry experts.
As a school you are obliged to demonstrate the management of asbestos. Inspections will be assessing how schools are managing the risks from asbestos within the school estate and meeting the ‘duty to manage’ (DTM) requirements under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR).
No matter your situation, RS Asbestos will be able to help, let our industry expert team take away the stress, simply email enquiries@rsasbestos.co.uk or call 01706 839082.
