Background
Somerset Council is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across all school sites. The HSE, as part of their continuing campaign to reduce the risks associated with exposure to asbestos in public buildings including schools, visited Somerset Council earlier this year. The inspection looked at 6 sites across the portfolio of buildings including a secondary school. The feedback received from the HSE Inspector was that Somerset Council have robust procedures which on the whole enable the management of asbestos providing a safe environment for all user of our buildings. However they did highlight a few areas where they felt could be improved. These are as follows:
Actions Taken by Somerset Council
Information on Asbestos – it is a requirement to provide all employees with the information on the location of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) within the building where they work. This can be achieved in various ways.
At the secondary school, due to the significant number of accessible ACMs present within the buildings, it was felt that the best way forward would be to physically label the visible ACMs. The items were labelled by the Asbestos Team during the half-term break to minimise disruption. Alternative warning labels were used, as agreed with the school’s management and in line with HSE guidance. Communication was sent to all employees at the school explaining the labelling and its significance.
Emergency Procedures
Somerset Council’s Asbestos Emergency procedures were amended slightly for the 2 scenarios:
- The unexpected discovery of materials that could contain asbestos.
- Accidental damage by contractors or others to materials that may contain asbestos.
Copies of the latest version of the Emergency procedures must be added to the site’s Asbestos Folders as detailed in the Asbestos Guidance. Staff and contractors must be made aware of these procedures.
Risk Assessment
The Asbestos Local Management Plan (F21a) template has been revised to include a risk assessment template to enable a further risk assessment to be completed by the person on site who is identified as having the delegated day to day responsibility for the management of asbestos. This further risk assessment is required in the event that there are changes to:
- The specific use of areas where ACMs are present.
- The number of people using these areas which may increase the likelihood of disturbance.
- The condition, accessibility, and vulnerability of ACMs.
These changes may result in the requirement for additional controls to be put in place.
There is a risk assessment completed for each ACM during the initial Asbestos Management Survey (completed by the SC Asbestos Team). During the Annual Re-inspection carried out by the SC Asbestos Team the risk assessment for each ACM is reviewed. Remember that the Local Asbestos Management plan must be reviewed annually and updated following any changes relating to the local arrangements for asbestos management.
Organisational Awareness
The Health and Safety Service has raised organisational awareness of the HSE inspection and updates have been shared with the Council’s Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Group and the Executive Leadership Team. Trade union representatives were also informed via the Joint Consultative Committee.
Summary
The changes outlined above are designed to ensure the safety of staff, pupils, and visitors. All schools must review their asbestos management arrangements and implement the updated procedures.
For copies of the schools asbestos survey reports (Management or Re-inspection) please contact the Asbestos Team asbestosteam@somerset.gov.uk or Tel: 01823 355906.
As part of your local management responsibilities please check that the relevant staff have completed Asbestos Awareness Training. This training is required bi-annually. The following training dates/locations are available, bookable via SSE:
19th November Brympton Way, Yeovil
13th January, Shape Mendip, Shepton Mallet
11th February 2026, Broughton House, Taunton
Further information:
Asbestos & You – Work Right
Ensuring Safety Compliance – Sharing Asbestos and Fire Safety Information with External Users
