Shift in policy on asbestos removal
The National Education welcomes hugely significant comments made by HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon to the Work and Pensions Committee on 5 February about the removal of asbestos from public buildings.
For decades there has been no acknowledgement by either HSE or Government that removal should be the goal; instead, the focus has always been on leaving asbestos in place and managing the risk. So, the fact that the HSE has spoken positively about the need to understand the continuing risk of asbestos in the built environment, and that there appears to be agreement between HSE and government to ultimately look to remove asbestos entirely frum the built environment is positive news, as is the fact that the idea of an asbestos register is no longer being dismissed.
This is only a start, there is a long way to go, and we need a timeframe and much firmer commitments. Most schools still contain asbestos and every day that passes means that children and staff remain at risk of developing asbestos-related disease.
We are hugely grateful to Sir Stephen Timms for all his efforts in this area. The 2022 report that was published by the Work and Pensions Committee, while he was chair, examining the HSE’s approach to asbestos management, has laid the groundwork for this apparent shift. NEU will continue to make the case for a phased removal of asbestos from all our education buildings to begin as soon as possible.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral. It has been used widely for many years due to its properties of resistance to heat and chemicals. Many thousands of tonnes have been used in construction of public buildings and, although the use of most types of asbestos is now banned, much asbestos is still present in buildings today.
What should I do if I find out I have potentially been exposed to asbestos at school?
It is important to keep a record of any work-related asbestos exposure of which you are aware. This information would be valuable for anyone who develops asbestos-related disease in later life since a record of past exposure could help the NEU to pursue a claim for compensation against the responsible employer.
Complete the NEU asbestos exposure form. Send a copy to the HR Department of each employer that you believe may have exposed you to asbestos and request a written statement confirming that your name has been added to the employer’s ‘At Risk’ register. In addition, it is of great importance that you keep your own copy at home in case the employer’s copy goes astray and also report any exposure to your GP so that there is a medical record.'
There are three main types of asbestos:
- blue asbestos or crocidolite.
- brown asbestos or amosite.
- white asbestos or chrysotile.
Despite the reference to colours, the different types of asbestos cannot be identified by colour alone. All three types are classified as class 1 carcinogens. The import and use of blue and brown asbestos in the UK has been banned since 1984, and the import and use of white asbestos has been banned since 1999.
Where is asbestos found in schools?
The most common uses of asbestos in school buildings were:
- spray coatings, mixed with paint or water, for fire protection and insulation on concrete walls and ceilings and on steelwork
- insulation lagging, particularly around pipework, boilers and ducts
- insulation boards used, for example, in heating equipment and protective mats in laboratories
- asbestos cement products such as wall and ceiling panels, corrugated roof panels, tiles, gutters, pipes and decorative plaster-type finishes.
In March 2017, the Department for Education (DfE) published guidance for schools on where asbestos may be located.
Why is asbestos so dangerous?
Asbestos gives off very small and fine fibres which can be breathed in easily. The fibres can remain in the lungs or settle in the linings of the lungs and the chest cavity for long periods after exposure, and their presence can lead to many asbestos-related diseases.
These can include:
- asbestosis or fibrosis, a scarring of the lungs caused by an accumulation of fibres leading to chest pain, breathlessness and strain on the heart.
- lung cancer.
- mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs or stomach. The risks in schools are clear. Asbestos was widely used in constructing schools in the past but poor structural maintenance and vandalism make schools more vulnerable than other buildings to the risk of release of asbestos fibres.