The HSE are visiting educational facilities from September 2022 onwards to assess asbestos in schools and how it is being managed. Are you ready?
What is happening?
HSE will be carrying out a programme of inspections to primary and secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales from September 2022 onwards to assess asbestos in schools.
The 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).
The regulations place duties on those with responsibility for the maintenance of work premises, including schools, to manage the risk from asbestos. For the majority of schools, this will be the employer.
Who will be carrying out the inspections?
HSE inspectors will contact the school before visiting in order to arrange a suitable date and time for the inspection.
Someone with knowledge of how asbestos is managed by the school will need to be present and the Inspector may also ask to see certain documentation in advance of the visit this could include, your asbestos register and management plan.
What should schools do to prepare for these inspections?
In advance of the inspections, schools may wish to review their current arrangements and check that they are meeting their duties under CAR, which includes requirements to:
- take reasonable steps to find out if there are asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the school premises, and if so, the amount, where it is and what condition it is in
- presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
- make, and keep up to date, a record of the location and condition of any ACMs – or materials which are presumed to contain asbestos
- assess the risk of anyone being exposed to fibres from the materials identified
- prepare an asbestos management plan (AMP) that sets out in detail how the risks from these materials will be managed
- take the necessary steps to put the plan into action
- periodically review and monitor the plan and the arrangements, and act on the findings, so the plan and arrangements remain relevant and up to date
- provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on, or disturb them
How can we help?
We would be happy to offer assistance in the following areas:
- Consultancy Services
- Asbestos management Survey
- Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys
- Reinspection of identified asbestos materials.
- Asbestos management plans.
- External asbestos management.
- Removal and disposal of licensed and non-licensed asbestos materials within buildings and soil.
- Soft Strip and demolition.
- Emergency call outs.
- Free quotations and advice.
Helpful Links
Helpful guidance can be downloaded free of charge directly from the HSE website in order to assist you in better understanding your Duty of Care.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the documentation you hold within your place of education or require any other asbestos related assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
