This article explains the importance of contacting our Asbestos team (Somerset Scientific Services) and following their advice if you need to arrange the removal of Asbestos from your school.

Prior to the appointment of the contractor, the council Asbestos Team advised the office staff at the school that they required the Risk Assessment and Method Statement, known as RAMS (specific for the removal of the asbestos at the school) from the contractor. It was also advised that the contractor completing the works would be required to be trained and insured to complete asbestos removal works of Non-licensed Asbestos Materials. The contractor sent these documents to the Asbestos Team, but they were incorrect and did not show details of the exact work being completed, show the relevant training or specific insurance for working with asbestos, there was also no Risk Assessment for working with asbestos. Further advice was given to the school to ask the contractor for training records in the removal of asbestos and to check that they had the correct insurance in place,  along with updated RAMS, and if they didn’t, the school would need to cancel the work. The RAMS must be dated, be specific to the site and describe how the work is going to be completed.

The contractor advised the school that they had everything needed and had sent it to the Asbestos team, so the work was booked in by the school and it went ahead. This was not the case; no further information was received, and the school did not check back with the Asbestos Team to ensure the RAMS were received and approved.

In line with the Somerset Council procedures, a member of the Asbestos Team at Scientific Services then visited the school and carried out a Visual Inspection of the area where of where the removal had been completed (this inspection should be completed with the contractor present). Asbestos cement debris was found following the Asbestos removal, so the inspection failed. There was also evidence of a fine dust. This amount of debris is typically seen when a contractor takes no account of the correct procedure and the controls required to remove an asbestos material.

This area was immediately kept out of bounds until the Asbestos team arranged for the area to be cleaned by a specialist Asbestos removal contractor. Once completed, the Asbestos team completed a further Visual Inspection and Reassurance Air Monitoring which deemed the area safe to be returned to use.

The follow up for this incident included an investigation from the Health & Safety Service which involved filling in the F18 Report which is completed after a significant H&S incident. This report was shared with the Assistant Director of Education for Somerset Council, the school’s Governing body and the Head of Scientific Services. The report included details of what happened, why, how, and when and then asks what next?  The school were tasked with completing their F21a Asbestos Management Plan (which outlines the school’s Asbestos management arrangements) and key members of staff attended Asbestos awareness training. The contractor was also contacted and removed from the Council’s supplier list. Failure to comply with the council’s H&S policies may result in disciplinary action and can result in school H&S audits being undertaken more frequently.

Asbestos Awareness Training

As part of the asbestos management process for schools, at least 2 people from each school should have attended Asbestos Awareness Training. Please check that this is the case, if not contact Sharon Larkman to book the next session on Wednesday 8th May, 10.00 – 12.30pm. The training is completed via TEAMS.

The 5 yearly Premises Manager Training provided by the Health and Safety Service does provide some information on the council’s processes of asbestos management, however this is not a substitute for Asbestos Awareness Training. This training must be completed in addition to Premises Manager Training.

Adding the Asbestos Inspection Report and Plan to your grab bag

An emergency grab bag can be a useful addition to the school office, to be taken outside when the fire alarm sounds or the building is evacuated, should a critical incident occur. A copy of the Asbestos Register and plan should be in this bag.

Learn more:

SC Asbestos Policy (HS021)
Asbestos Management Plan (F21a)
Asbestos Emergency Procedure document