Health & Safety Written by Fiona Riley, Chair of IOSH’s Education Group
Asbestos in schools: how big an issue is it?
all about the risks and how they can be managed, this is simply unacceptable. And it isn’t just teachers who could be exposed, of course; children are at risk. In fact, Government research has found that children who are exposed to asbestos are five times more likely to contract the disease than adults aged 30. There have been many estimates about Many schools built between the 1950s and 1980s may contain how many school buildings contain asbestos. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) asbestos, so how can they ensure people aren’t exposed to it? suggested in 2012 that 37 per cent of Fiona Riley, Chair of the Institution of Occupational Safety and buildings are likely to contain it, which Health (IOSH) Education Group, explores the issue equates to 11,000 schools. However, other estimates have suggested the figures may be If you go back a few decades, asbestos was How big a concern is as high as 75 per cent or even 83 per cent. viewed as the wonder material. Its versatility, asbestos in our schools? What is for certain is that many strength, and heat and chemical resistance Since 2001, more than 200 teachers schools contain this killer material. meant it was widely used in new buildings. have died across the country from Research by the BBC has found that just over How times have changed. We now mesothelioma, according to the half of schools in the North West are known know that asbestos is a killer – one National Education Union. to contain asbestos, but local authorities do which is responsible for 5,000 deaths Mesothelioma typically develops not know if 44 per cent of schools a year in Britain – which is why its use over 20 or more years following have the material or not. This is has been banned here since 1999. exposure to asbestos. So, because many schools (61 While this means buildings constructed since someone who dies this per cent) are outside local It is then don’t contain it, it doesn’t mean it has year is likely to have been education authority control, estimat been removed from those built before. In fact, exposed at some point including academies e at least d that it is estimated that at least 500,000 buildings in the 1990s or before. and free schools, and in Britain still contain it, many of them However, the fact are not obliged to building 500,000 schools. It can be found in many products that so many buildings report to them. still con s in Britain including roofing, spray coatings, lagging, still contain it gives The HSE, which tain asb estos, insulating boards, ropes, yarns and cloth. cause for concern that requires all employers to and ma ny Asbestos fibres are invisible to the people are still being notify them if asbestos schools are naked eye. When breathed in, they can exposed today and may is released into the stick into the lining of the lungs, causing be suffering the life-limiting air “sufficient to cause serious illnesses over time, including effects by 2040 or beyond. potential damage to the fatal cancers like mesothelioma. In an era when we know health of any person”, E Issue 24.3 | EDUCATION BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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