The majority of local authorities in England with system-build schools have procedures and precautions in place to manage asbestos safely, according to a survey and follow-up inspection programme.
Of the 152 councils in England that have responsibility for providing education, 110 satisfied the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), via an online survey, that they have systems in place to meet their duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

The other 42 authorities were visited by HSE inspectors to ensure they were also managing the risks from asbestos. These inspections resulted in 32 councils being given further advice about practical improvements and 10 authorities receiving enforcement notices to improve asbestos management standards. The notices covered issues such as training and the need to provide information for tradespeople carrying out work at the schools.

'We are satisfied that most local authorities were taking their responsibilities seriously when it comes to managing asbestos in system build schools,' said Rosalind Roberts, the head of HSE's public services sector.

'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 their work is carefully planned and managed.'

The survey and inspection programme was carried out in conjunction with the Department for Education (DfE), and is the latest in a series of initiatives to ensure local authorities and schools responsible for system buildings are managing the risks from asbestos.

In 2006, the Asbestos in Schools Working Group was established and produced guidance on managing asbestos. This was followed by an inspection programme in 2007/08 to check compliance with the duty to manage asbestos requirements.

Another survey and inspection initiative will be undertaken between October 2010 and March 2011 to check compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 in those schools that fall outside local authority control.

The results from the joint HSE/Department for Education survey (and any resulting follow-up inspections) of all 152 local authorities (LAs) in England with responsibility for education provision are available at www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/information.htm#asbestos