Asbestos remains a prevalent health concern, being present in thousands of UK buildings constructed before 2000, including schools and hospitals. Complying with asbestos regulations and following the correct procedures in schools is crucial to maintaining a safe and healthy learning space.
What Is Asbestos and Why Should I Be Aware of It?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals, popular for their resistance to heat, electricity and corrosion. These attributes led the minerals to be used for fireproofing and were incorporated into many building materials and insulation. Hence, asbestos was extensively used in the construction of schools and public buildings from the 1940s. This has led to at least 21,500 schools in Britain containing asbestos according to Asbestos Justice.
However, the use of asbestos was banned just before 2000 due to its potentially life-threatening properties. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos leads to fibres becoming trapped inside the body, which over time can lead to inflammation, scarring and cancer. The microscopic size of asbestos fibres poses a particular struggle in preventing these complications, making it almost impossible to spot once airborne. Thus, it is of such high pertinence for any outstanding uses of asbestos to remain undisturbed unless handled by trained and certified contractors.
Asbestos in UK Schools:
Due to the sheer volume of schools in Britain identified to contain asbestos, this figure being 80%, the number of children and staff exposed to asbestos and its risks are vast. This means the buildings used in everyday life pose potential dangers if the correct protocols and procedures are not adhered to. Asbestos exposure to children makes them particularly at high risk due to their exposure at such young ages. For these reasons, it is understandable why increasing pressure is being placed on schools and local authorities to implement and improve their levels of asbestos management.
Why Is Asbestos a Prominent Issue Within Schools?
Issues regarding asbestos in UK schools have been prominent in recent news articles, with local authorities, the government, and parents fearing the dangers of asbestos-containing materials. In light of this, the DfE (Department for Education) has allocated £1.8 billion to invest in improving the conditions of schools, for the 2023-24 financial year. However, the HSE also suggests that as long as asbestos-containing materials are in good condition, well protected, and unlikely to be disturbed, it is more beneficial for them to remain in place.
Asbestos Regulations:
Current asbestos regulations place a legal duty on employers to provide information, instruction and training to any of their employees who are likely to be exposed to asbestos as part of their work.
The DfE’s latest guidance on the management of asbestos in schools outlines the necessity of up-to-date and implemented asbestos management plans to be well-prepared for emergencies and accidental asbestos exposure.
Failure of the dutyholder to comply with The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 can lead to prosecution, giving reason to make the understanding of the guidelines as simple and efficient as possible.
Who Is the Dutyholder for Asbestos in Schools?
This responsibility is delegated depending on the type of school. However, the guidance provided by the Department for Education (DfE) with support from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is aimed at headteachers, governors, other members of the school management team, and local authorities who manage schools or oversee the maintenance and repair of their school buildings.
What Is the Asbestos Management Plan for Schools?
HSE states that all schools should have asbestos management plans in place that clearly identify individuals’ specific roles, with regularly scheduled checks for the monitoring of asbestos-containing materials. HSE also state that all contractors should receive appropriate and thorough asbestos training.
HSE also provides an asbestos management checklist for schools, which is not a mandatory requirement but aims to yield confidence in asbestos precautions.
How Can EntrySign and UKNAR Improve Compliance With Asbestos Regulations?
EntrySign provides a comprehensive visitor and contractor management system, making it easy to ensure contractors view important information when they arrive at your school or organisation. When incorporating UKNAR’s solution into EntrySign’s check-in process, contractors are presented with an Asbestos SMART QR code and an asbestos management notice. Scanning this QR code allows contractors to download a copy of a clear and easy-to-understand asbestos register.
The Asbestos SMART database allows dutyholders to make their asbestos information instantly and freely available while fulfilling their legal obligations. This makes compliance easier to follow, removing stress and easing responsibility. Furthermore, it allows contractors to easily identify any known locations of asbestos onsite, before undertaking any work, and so helps to eliminate the risk of asbestos disturbance.
EntrySign can record that the contractor has read and understood the register and confirm whether asbestos awareness training has been completed. From this, EntrySign can generate a report with this information for use in future audits and inspections.
The collaboration between EntrySign and UKNAR aims to streamline the asbestos compliance process, making it easier for schools and organisations to manage asbestos information, ensure awareness, and meet legal obligations for the safety of individuals in buildings containing asbestos.