What

Asbestos is a general name given to several naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have crystallised to form fibres. Asbestos fibres do not dissolve in water or evaporate, they are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation and are mechanically strong, all of which has made them seem like an ideal component of building materials for centuries. However, if disturbed, asbestos can be extremely hazardous to human health and, as such, its use as a building material in the UK was banned in 1999.

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Why

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 sets out certain duties for employers in regards to how they handle asbestos. Furthermore, given the extremely hazardous nature of asbestos if disturbed, ACE has a general duty to protect its employees, pupils and visitors from coming into contact with the substance.

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How

For more detailed information about exactly how we deal with asbestos within ACE schools, please refer to the ACE Health and Safety Manual. However, in summary, we follow the below procedure:

• ACE carries out asbestos management surveys at least every five years, with in-house annual inspections of all identified asbestos containing materials (ACMs). Each school has a site specific asbestos management plan.

• All ACE staff are briefed as to the locations of all ACMs within the building(s) in which they work, and staff who are more likely to into contact with ACMs during their course of their work (e.g. caretakers) are given specific asbestos awareness training. 

• Prior to any works that will or has the potential to alter the fabric of the building; a ‘refurbishment and demolition survey (R&D)’ (previously known as a Type 3 survey) will be procured in order to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the materials being disturbed prior to any works commencing.

 

In this section:

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