Asbestos kills nearly 4000 people a year and is found in over 3000 products internationally. Used primarily for insulation, fire protection and strengthening building products, it has been imported and used in thousands of different building applications in the UK over the past 100 years.

Head Teachers by virtue of their wider Health and Safety responsibilities also have duty holder responsibilities under the asbestos regulations. The actual degree of responsibility may vary depending on ownership of the school premises and whether it is supported by the state or financed privately. Either way, it would be prudent for all Head Teachers to have a basic understanding of whether asbestos is likely to be present within the building fabric of their respective premises.

In essence, the new Survey Guide (HSG 264) provides guidance on the legal requirements of conducting asbestos surveys and it is aimed at those with Dutyholder responsibilities within buildings such as those managing asbestos in schools and those with legal responsibilities to their employee’s such as consultants and contractors working within schools. The benefit of the document is better clarity for the manner in which a survey should be planned, implemented and reported which will protect lives, reduce costs of maintenance, improve planning and make development and refurbishment at each school much easier to implement and manage.

Silverdell actively supports the continuous campaign regarding asbestos in schools and regularly posts up to date news stories on the topic here.