HSE issues enforcement notices against 10 councils over school asbestos
The Health & Safety Executive has issued enforcement notices against ten local authorities over their failure to make sure asbestos in schools is managed properly.
The ten councils were:
- Bedford
- Doncaster
- Harrow
- Kent
- Lambeth
- Medway
- South Gloucestershire
- Thurrock
- Waltham Forest
- Worcestershire
The enforcement notices were issued after a survey and follow-up programme covering the 152 local authorities in England with responsibility for providing education.
Of these, 110 satisfied the HSE that they had systems in place to meet their duties under section 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. HSE inspectors visited the remaining 42 authorities, with 32 councils being given further advice about practical improvements and 10 handed enforcement notices.
The survey and inspection programme were part of a series of initiatives aimed at ensuring councils and schools are addressing the risks posed by asbestos.
Rosalind Roberts, the head of the HSE's public services sector, said: "We are satisfied that most local authorities were taking their responsibilities seriously when it comes to managing asbestos in system build schools.
"Where local authorities had fallen below acceptable standards, we took action to secure improvements. There are key lessons for the whole education sector. Those responsible for managing asbestos must be properly trained and management plans which set out the measures to be taken to manage the risks must be in place and readily available.
"If asbestos is properly managed, remains undamaged and undisturbed then its presence alone should not be a cause for concern. However, there is no room for complacency; managing asbestos in buildings needs effective and ongoing attention. Those most likely to be exposed are tradesmen who may disturb it through their work – so it is essential that their work is carefully planned and managed."
For more information visit here. www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/managing/index.htm
Last month Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council was fined £5,000 after sending an employee to fix a water leak in a housing development without warning him that asbestos was present.
The HSE, which brought a prosecution against the local authority, described the incident as a “major failing” in the council’s procedures.
