The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have a planned programme of inspections in schools to assess their management arrangements for controlling the risks associated with asbestos containing materials (ACMs). It is important that schools have effective arrangements to ensure that ACMs are maintained in a sound condition and are not damaged by foreseeable activities within the premises.
These visits follow on from a similar programme of work carried out in 2022/23, where 421 schools were inspected by HSE.
Key findings from these inspections: Management of asbestos in school buildings 2022/23
Most schools were found to be managing asbestos in their buildings effectively. A small number of schools (7%) had significant enough failings in their systems, meaning enforcement action was required to address them.
Schools which have ACMS’s need to ensure that they have:
- An Asbestos Management Survey (conducted within the last 5 years)
- An Asbestos Reinspection (within the last 2 years)
- An Asbestos Management Plan which is reviewed annually which contains the details of the Duty Holder and Responsible Person, the visual inspection regime, emergency procedures and the management of contractors
- Communicated with colleagues regarding the presence of ACM’s in the building
- That those who have responsibilities for managing asbestos have undertaken an Asbestos Management training.
The HSE have advised that there is an ongoing programme of school visits, so please ensure that your processes and documentation are all up-to-date.
