This is a presentation is intended to provide information only and must not be construed or considered to be a formal asbestos training session Further information on formal training is available from your Union or via the IATP 1 Disclaimer

Asbestos in Schools Paul Beaumont IATP Representative 2 Presentation developed by: Independent Asbestos Training Providers

Introduction This presentation is being delivered to provide an insight into the risks from and the requirement to manage asbestos in schools It is not a formal training session 3

From the mid 1800s, asbestos was used as a staple of the building industry in the UK. Risks were known by the end of the 1800s Use continued without restriction for over 100 years Its properties, availability, huge marketing and low cost lead to wide-spread usage It was used in every type of build In thousands of products Schools where no exemption from this 4

It is estimated that around 75% of the schools in the UK contain asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral fibre White – Chrysotile Brown – Amosite Blue – Crocidolite Longer, high levels of exposure are a greater risk Safe limit? Control Limit: 0.1 f/cm³ (100,000 f/m ³) Clearance Indicator: <0.01 f/cm³ (< 10,000 f/m ³) – Both regularly quoted as a “Safe Levels!” There is no safe level! All exposure must be prevented. 5 All are Category 1 human carcinogens

Where can it be found? Asbestos has been used in many buildings Millions of tonnes are still out there, somewhere! In the buildings we use, attend and occupy 6 CLASP -Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme SCoLA – Second Consortium of Local Authorities Many system built structures such as CLASP and SCoLA contained high levels of asbestos materials

Typical CLASP/SCoLA type Building 7

Asbestos fibre release Gap in casing joint Debris from casing base These are often lined internally with unsealed AIB resulting in the release of asbestos fibres

Slamming Fire Doors Slamming a Door containing asbestos five times 0.33f/cm³ (330,000 f/m 3 )

AIB in buildings

Broken AIB above suspended ceilings

12 “One of the most popular forms of heating schools” “If damaged, fibres can be readily circulated…” Scape CLASP asbestos handbook LA test measured 0.06 f/cm³ HSE test showed 0.05 f/cm³ (60/50,000 f/m ³) "All that matters is whether or not kids are breathing in asbestos and, until you find that out, everything else is hot air“ Prof. Julian Peto

13 Removing Stationery f/cm ³ Amosite (20,000 f/m ,000 f/m 3 ) Cleaning of cupboard f/cm ³ (70,000 f/m ,000 f/m 3 ) Classroom Cupboards backed with unsealed Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB)

14 Debris released due to extracting pins from AIB 0.05 f/cm³ 50,000 f/m³

There is no known safe level of exposure of asbestos. Our children are more at risk There is an urgent need for action 15

The Law Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 Duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises (Regulation 4) ‘…the duty holder must ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out as to whether asbestos is or is liable to be present in the premises...’ Identification of the presence of asbestos (Regulation 5) ‘An employer must not undertake work in demolition, maintenance, or any other work which exposes or is liable to expose employees of that employer to asbestos in respect of any premises’ 16

Control of Asbestos Regulations Information, Instruction and training training ( Regulation 10) ‘Every employer must ensure that any employee employed by that employer is given adequate information, instruction and training…’ Prevention or reduction of exposure from asbestos (Regulation 11) ‘Every employer must— prevent the exposure to asbestos of any employee employed by that employer so far as is reasonably practicable…’

Control of Asbestos Regulations Duty to prevent the spread of Asbestos (Regulation 16) Every employer must prevent or, where this is not reasonably practicable, reduce to the lowest level reasonably practicable the spread of asbestos from any place where work under the employer’s control is carried out. These are just a few of the main requirements of CAR 2102 Other regulations also apply

19 The Duty to Manage asbestos came in to force in May years on; where are we today? The Regulations are not requests, they are a legal requirement Now! When MUST it be done?

Over 406 teachers up to the age of 74 have died of Mesothelioma since records began in These teachers died of a preventable, occupational disease. Where would their occupation expose them to asbestos? Why bother? 20

School Teachers’ Mesothelioma Deaths

Southampton [2] [2] SOC 90,2000 3] 3] 2011 TOTALS Higher/Further Education Rate per annum School Teachers Teachers NEC Rate per annum TOTAL Higher/Further Education School Teachers. Teachers NEC Mesothelioma deaths School Teachers and Teachers and Lecturers aged [2] [2] HSE Mesothelioma occupational statistics: Male and female deaths aged Table 3,4 Southampton Occupation Group. 5 year time period excluding 1981 [3] [3] HSE Statistics Unit/Lees 21 Nov Mesothelioma deaths in the education sector for males and females HSE Mesothelioma mortality in Great Britain: Analyses by Geographical area and occupation 2005 Tables 11, 13 ( )

Too many! … and rising. Teachers are not the only ones, school support staff are also dying of mesothelioma School Caretakers School Cleaners School secretaries Teaching assistants School catering staff… 23 …ANYONE WHO ENTERS A BUILDING WHERE ASBESTOS ISN’T BEING MANAGED!

If there is a risk, we manage it. Schools have Fire Risk Assessments They have fire procedures, drills and registers They regularly check extinguishers and alarms They do this because fire kills around 400 people in the UK per annum! Asbestos kills over 4500 people every year in the UK, yet it is regularly and often, openly ignored Shouldn’t we be managing this risk too!? 24

AIS and JUAC aim to make all UK schools safe from asbestos. 25 JUAC and AIS call for: 1.National audit of the extent, type and condition of asbestos in all schools 2.Audit of the standards of asbestos management in UK schools 3.Reinstatement of proactive HSE inspections 4.Widespread air sampling 5.An Environmental Level for schools 6.Mandatory tailored asbestos training for all staff and Governors 7.National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management in Schools to include a programme of funded and prioritised phased removal 8.A policy of openness and transparency For more information please read the All Party Parliamentary Booklet – Asbestos in Schools.

Dianne Willmore

27 Elizabeth Bradford

28 What did Dianne and Elizabeth have in common? They were both exposed to asbestos in schools! They died from mesothelioma due to that exposure. Just two of many who should have been safe at school and work!

29 Carole Hagedorn 11 November 1950 – 20 June 2014 Member Mid-Essex NASUWT Essex Federation NASUWT Officer ‘Carole was an inspiration to all of us. She had been a teacher and was exposed to asbestos at school. Following her diagnosis of mesothelioma almost six years ago she fought hard and successfully to raise the profile of asbestos in schools and to ensure that others do not suffer in the way she has.’ Michael Lees MBE

30 For further information: Ver /14

Acknowledgements and thanks 31 Acknowledgments: The IATP (Independent Asbestos Training Providers) Mr Michael Lees – The Asbestos in Schools (AiS) group Mr Paul Beaumont – Beaumont (BIACS) Ltd Mr David Stanley – DS Environmental Ltd Mr Wayne Williams – DMW Environmental Ltd Mr Chris Gilliead – Pattinson Scientific Ltd The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) JUAC Join Union Asbestos Committee

This is a presentation is intended to provide information only and must not be construed or considered to be a formal asbestos training session Further information on formal training is available from your Union or via the IATP 32 Disclaimer