Posts Tagged ‘asbestos exposure’
NUT publishes all-party report on Asbestos in Schools
This report, from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health, exposes the level of danger from asbestos in Britain’s schools, and makes a compelling case for urgent action. It not only outlines the problem but makes six clear and simple recommendations on how future asbestos exposure in schools can be prevented.
Published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Health and Safety the report makes six clear recommendations:
Report Recommendations
The All-Party Group recommends that:
- The Government should set a programme for the phased removal of asbestos from all schools, with priority being given to those schools where the asbestos is considered to be most dangerous or damaged.
- Standards in asbestos training should be set and the training should be mandatory. The training should be properly funded.
- It is recommended that the DfE and HSE jointly develop asbestos guidance specifically for schools and that current standards be reviewed.
- A policy of openness should be adopted. Parents, teachers and support staff should be annually updated on the presence of asbestos in their schools and the measures that are being taken to manage it.
- Pro-active inspections to determine the standards of asbestos management should be reinstated, with a view to reducing future costs.
- Data should be collected centrally on the extent, type and condition of asbestos in schools and this becomes an integral part of the data collection of the condition of the nation’s schools. Read More
Belvedere school closed following asbestos discovery
A Belvedere school has been closed following the discovery of asbestos in the school hall.
Traces of asbestos were found at Belvedere Infant School, in Mitchell Close, on November 17 and the school was closed as a safety precaution the following day.
All lessons have been suspended until December 1 and the school itself is not expected to open again until February next year.
Bexley Council is working with the school to provide alternative arrangements for children while the school remains closed.
The school assures parents children will be taught in the same class groups and by the same teachers when the school re-opens.
Headteacher Linda Mulley said: “This is an unexpected period of disruption for our children and I appreciate the patience that children, parents and carers have shown while we are putting final arrangements in place. Read More
£19,300 fine for working without an Asbestos Licence
Fadil Adil, of Coniston Road, Bromley, has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for overseeing a demolition project which involved asbestos removal without an asbestos removal licence.
The project involved the demolition of a building which had a restaurant on the ground floor and flats above; the project was being supervised by a Fadil Adil from South East London. The HSE have prosecuted the contractor for running a construction site which led to workers being exposed to asbestos-containing-material.
The demolition took place between the 21st to the 29th of June 2010, where asbestos insulating boards were present in the ground floor restaurant ceilings. The ceilings were broken up by three workmen using sledgehammers and hand-operated breakers meaning there is a strong possibility that the workmen were exposed to asbestos fibres.
An investigation by the HSE found that the defendant did not have a licence permitting him to work with asbestos nor was he trained in construction management.
HSE regulations state that an asbestos survey needs to be carried out on construction sites where asbestos might be present; this will ensure that guidance and training is provided to the workmen in order to make them aware of asbestos containing areas. Investigation found that there was no survey and that workers were not informed.
Ian Seabrook, an HSE Inspector said: Read More