by jbs022610 i3 — March 1, 2010—The Asbestos Testing and Consultancy (ATaC), the U.K. trade association for the asbestos management services sector, released a report February 22 that highlights the failings of numerous schools across the United Kingdom to protect students and staff from the danger of exposure to asbestos.
ATaC conducted a pilot assessment on schools that volunteered to take part. Assessment of Asbestos Management in Schools (.pdf file) found widespread failings in asbestos management, with some schools reportedly having no knowledge of asbestos management at all. The report argues that schools are not complying with their legal duty to manage asbestos, and training surrounding asbestos in schools is poor or non-existent.
According to ATaC, around 75 percent of schools in Britain contain the potentially deadly substance, and there have been cases of both teachers and pupils dying from the fatal disease mesothelioma, contracted from asbestos exposure. Regulations require stringent measures to be taken to effectively manage asbestos. The government’s current policy for schools is to leave the asbestos in place and manage it, rather than remove it, but without the necessary resources many schools are not managing their asbestos effectively or safely, says ATaC.
The Campaign Against Asbestos in Schools, which has joined forces with ATAC, is pressing for a working group to be set up, risk assessments and management plans to be effectively implemented, and full training to be introduced for teachers and school staff. Several other organizations and unions are also calling for urgent action to have the asbestos removed from schools.
ATaC notes that its members are highly qualified to deal with asbestos. The Asbestos in Schools Web site provides comprehensive information about asbestos in U.K. schools. BRE Training offers the course “The Duty to Manage Asbestos Containing Materials in Non-Domestic Premises” to provide detailed information, guidance and compliance with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.
