Fines for unsafe removal of asbestos in schools

Failure to refer to existing asbestos registers and management plans when undertaking works that may disturb asbestos or asbestos containing materials may lead to fines for both schools and contractors. In a recent case, an academy trust and its maintenance contractor both pleaded guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and were fined £3,000 with £4,785.37 costs and £2,000 with £4,701.37 costs respectively. The breaches occurred when a new heating system was being installed in the school building.

In order to reduce the risk of potential breaches, schools should follow Health and Safety Executive guidance which includes:

• assessing and managing the risks from asbestos within the school building;
• recording and implementing management plans to manage the presence of asbestos within the school building;
• referring contractors to existing asbestos registers; and
• ensuring a plan to manage the risks of work related to any asbestos containing materials is in place.

If you have any concerns about asbestos in schools, more information about how to manage asbestos in schools can be found here. Our team of education and HR experts are also able to provide support to schools and academies on these kinds of issues.