Neil Carmichael has called for local authorities, governing bodies and responsible partners to develop better management plans and training for the management of asbestos in our schools, following an Education Select Committee hearing into the issue yesterday.
Asbestos was used widely as a building material in the UK from the 1950s to the 1980s, and it is estimated that up to 75% of school buildings contain some asbestos containing material (ACM).
The Department of Education expects schools to have an active asbestos management plan and provides guidance for schools based on Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.
However, in HSE evidence to the committee it emerged that inspections had resulted in enforcement and improvement notices being issued on some local authorities and individual schools covering issues such as training and information for maintenance staff and contractors and keeping asbestos management plans up to date. In some schools there was confusion over roles and responsibilities for management.
Neil said,
"Whilst the vast majority of asbestos in buildings does not pose a risk unless its disturbed, what the HSE evidence highlighted to me was the need for local authorities and school governing bodies to keep their management plans up to date, with clear responsibility and training for staff and contractors."
The Committee will be responding to the evidence presented shortly.
Asbestos was used widely as a building material in the UK from the 1950s to the 1980s, and it is estimated that up to 75% of school buildings contain some asbestos containing material (ACM).
The Department of Education expects schools to have an active asbestos management plan and provides guidance for schools based on Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.
However, in HSE evidence to the committee it emerged that inspections had resulted in enforcement and improvement notices being issued on some local authorities and individual schools covering issues such as training and information for maintenance staff and contractors and keeping asbestos management plans up to date. In some schools there was confusion over roles and responsibilities for management.
Neil said,
"Whilst the vast majority of asbestos in buildings does not pose a risk unless its disturbed, what the HSE evidence highlighted to me was the need for local authorities and school governing bodies to keep their management plans up to date, with clear responsibility and training for staff and contractors."
The Committee will be responding to the evidence presented shortly.
