The recent UK Budget has opened up new opportunities for schools and hospitals to access funding for refurbishment and safety improvements. If you’re involved in building maintenance or development within these sectors, this is a critical moment to ensure you’re fully informed about how to leverage these funds effectively—while also adhering to important safety regulations, especially regarding asbestos management.
To help you navigate these changes, we’re hosting a free webinar on December 5th, 2024, featuring Darren Evans, AEC’s Technical Director. During this one-hour session, Darren will share valuable insights on the latest budget announcements and the key opportunities for improving school and healthcare estates. He’ll also provide guidance on managing asbestos safely during building and refurbishment works, ensuring compliance with regulations.
This session is perfect for facilities managers, estate teams, contractors, and anyone involved in the maintenance, refurbishment, or development of school or healthcare buildings.
Register now to secure your spot and gain the knowledge you need to manage your projects safely and effectively.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how the latest Budget can benefit your refurbishment projects, and how to stay compliant with asbestos management regulations!
24th November 2024 marks 25 years since the UK Government’s landmark decision to ban the use, importation, manufacture and sale of all forms of asbestos, a move that was hailed as a victory for public health and safety. This decisive action, which came into effect after decades of growing evidence about the dangers of asbestos, sought to eliminate a material once widely used in construction, manufacturing, and insulation.
However, despite this quarter-century milestone, one harsh truth remains: while asbestos may no longer be used, it has not gone away. The dangers it poses continue to linger in our buildings, and our workplaces.
A deadly legacy
Asbestos-related diseases, specifically lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer affecting the lining of the lungs), take decades to manifest. For many, the diagnosis comes far too late, often in the later stages of the disease when treatment options are limited. The UK is still grappling with the consequences of its past reliance on this material, and the UK asbestos legacy is perhaps the worst in the world. The UKs importation and use of asbestos, and particularly amosite asbestos, has led to one of the worst asbestos fatality rates per capita in the world.
The HSE reports that approximately 5,000 deaths a year in the UK are attributable to asbestos-related diseases, which include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and today to a much lesser extent, asbestosis. The exact number can vary slightly depending on the year, but this is the commonly cited figure, whereas the ONS states that for every mesothelioma death there is a lung cancer death attributed to asbestos exposure. However, other studies put that figure not at 1:1 but 6:1 or 8:1.
Regarding the comparison to road traffic fatalities, this is based on public statistics from organisations like the Department for Transport (DfT), which report that road traffic fatalities in the UK typically range between 1,500 and 2,000 annually, far lower than the number of asbestos-related deaths.
The hidden danger
Asbestos may have been banned, but the material is far from eradicated. Many buildings, especially older ones, still contain asbestos in various forms. The material can often be found in the fabric of homes, schools, hospitals, factories, and other public buildings, where it can remain undisturbed for decades. When disturbed – whether by renovation, demolition, or simply through wear and tear – asbestos fibres can be released into the air, where they pose a serious health risk.
The challenge today is not just about awareness, but about ensuring that asbestos-containing materials are safely managed or removed. The asbestos ban has led to increased regulation and a greater focus on asbestos management, but a failure to properly identify and deal with it continues to put people at risk. Often, the material is hidden behind walls, ceilings, or floors, making it difficult to detect unless a professional survey is carried out.
Sadly, there is a perception these days that asbestos is an historical problem, and no longer an issue. This isn’t the case. As stated above, in deteriorating properties, asbestos is a real problem. Moreover, the asbestos disease statistics indicate an increase in deaths of those working in education and health i.e. teachers and nurses, who will not have physically worked on asbestos-containing materials.
The importance of safe management and awareness
While the UK’s ban was a crucial step in reducing the risks posed by asbestos, it is essential that we continue to focus on the safe management of asbestos, raising awareness and providing robust training, as required by Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Workers in construction, maintenance, and demolition industries are particularly at risk, but asbestos also affects non-trades, such as staff in education and healthcare settings. That’s why it is crucial that duty holders are provided with training to ensure competence to adopt a safety culture when it comes to managing their buildings.
The future: what needs to be done
As we reflect on the 25th anniversary of the asbestos ban, it is essential to remember that the fight is not over. Continued efforts are needed to:
Asbestos might be banned, but it’s not gone
As we look back, let us renew our commitment to ensuring that asbestos is safely managed and that those affected by its deadly legacy are never forgotten.
If you need any support in the safe management of asbestos in your buildings our team of experts can support you with management plans, asbestos surveys and training. Call us on 0161 872 7111 or visit aec.uk for more information.
The recent UK budget announcement has generated excitement in the education sector by allocating significant funds for school refurbishment and building works. The figures published are £1.4billion for the school rebuilding programme, and also a £2billion investment into schools’ maintenance.
This financial boost is poised to address longstanding issues related to aging infrastructure and inadequate facilities in schools. Which one would think includes asbestos. But does it? There is no specific allocation or mention of asbestos in this budget. The Department for Education allocates funds based upon a ‘condition data collection’ survey. This does ask if there is asbestos in the school, in that they ask about compliance with Regulations 4, so is there a survey, and an asbestos management plan (AMP). But the document explicitly states that there will be no review of the content of the AMP. Therefore, this document does not take into account the condition of the asbestos, nor the asbestos products, and therefore there is no allocation of funding based upon risk.
This is in a sector where asbestos related deaths are increasing. Where once the ONS considered education to be a ‘low risk’ occupation, this has now changed, with a fivefold increase in asbestos-related deaths in this sector between 2011 and 2021. In addition ONS figures by sector do not include the over 75s, and only consider the last job. Furthermore, it is only teaching professions rather than school administrators or maintenance staff. Therefore, some studies put teachers at an increased risk factor of up to 4 times that of other professions, and comparing the ONS annual death rate for teachers of 23 compared to claims made to the Department for Work and Pensions at 70 deaths per annum. One thing we do know: Teachers, like nurses in the NHS which has similar figures, did not install asbestos in a previous life, nor did they work on it. They are exposed at work, in schools, which contain deteriorating asbestos materials.
Therefore, as schools plan their refurbishment projects, it’s crucial they prioritise safety measures, particularly through comprehensive asbestos surveys. If a school contains asbestos, any maintenance or refurbishment project must include asbestos in the plans.
Further to this, the Government discussed ‘fixing the NHS’. A huge undertaking! This included ‘with over £1billion to tackle dangerous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and make inroads into the existing backlog of critical maintenance, repairs and upgrades across the NHS estate – protecting staff and patients and boosting NHS productivity.’ When one considers that the estimated NHS maintenance backlog is £11billion, this figure is unlikely to make a real dent in the problem.
The government’s commitment to investing billions in school infrastructure is a much-needed response to years of underfunding. Many schools face urgent challenges, including crumbling buildings and outdated facilities that hinder the learning experience. With this new funding, some schools will be able to tackle immediate repairs and undertake significant refurbishment projects, ensuring students learn in safe and supportive environments.
While the new funding opens the door to much-needed renovations, schools must also prioritise safety during these projects. All of the above works require planning, and part of this planning must consider asbestos. A key aspect of ensuring a safe environment is conducting thorough asbestos surveys.
Conclusion
The new budget funding announcement in the UK represents a transformative opportunity for schools to enhance their infrastructure and provide better learning environments for students. This is of course extremely welcome!
It was noticeable that during the budget speech the chancellor addressed recent tragedies such as the infected blood and the post office scandals, and funding for the victims. This follows closely on the heels of the Grenfell inquiry. However, it is disappointing that asbestos victims are seldom mentioned, and that asbestos was not a key part of the funding for schools (and hospitals).
However, as schools embark on these important projects, they must prioritise safety by conducting thorough asbestos surveys, or at the very least including asbestos and review of asbestos management plans as part of all work. By ensuring that all refurbishment and building works are carried out safely, schools can protect the health of their students and staff while making necessary improvements. This holistic approach will not only lead to better educational outcomes but also foster a culture of safety and responsibility within the school community.
– Create a national online database listing every non-domestic building that contains asbestos
– Use this register to set up a programme to remove the deadly substance, starting with schools and hospitals
Read the full Daily Mail article here
With the launch of HSE’s campaign ‘Asbestos – Your Duty’ for duty holders in January 2024, it’s a pertinent reminder that awareness of workplace health and safety risks is one of the most valuable tools that duty holders and construction leaders have to make informed decisions that protect people efficiently, cost-effectively, and in a compliant manner.
With this in mind, we’re taking this chance to shine a light on the key health and safety events in asbestos, Legionella and occupational hygiene in 2023, and explain what we collectively need to learn from them.
If you work with asbestos, Legionella or on worksites where people may be exposed to construction dusts, you know that ensuring the health and safety of those in your care is your absolute priority.
Only have a minute? See our video summary here.
In January, two trade unions released landmark reports, highlighting the extent to which asbestos remained a risk in the NHS:
This situation pushed the TUC in particular to renew calls for a National Asbestos Register, as well as a 40-year deadline to remove asbestos from all non-domestic buildings.
Why does it matter?
While the statistics are new, the problem isn’t. The BBC called this situation a ‘ticking time bomb’ in 2017. The debate about whether to manage asbestos or remove it at a national level is ongoing, but for duty holders and construction leaders, as long as asbestos remains in their workplaces, or a part of their refurbishment or demolition projects, they need to ensure they act to remove it or keep it safe and monitor its condition.
This involves providing support and training to those who are making day-to-day decisions about the operation and maintenance of buildings.
In the first half of the year, the HSE launched two campaigns focused on making young tradespeople aware of the risks of asbestos (‘Asbestos and You’) and construction dusts (‘Dust Kills’).
In particular, ‘Dust Kills’ supported over 1,000 inspections of workplaces for compliance, and reported on its findings here – highlighting both good practices and cases where no controls had been put in place.
Why does it matter?
Many young constructors entering the workforce were born after asbestos was banned, and simply do not know the risks that it can present unless they have the correct support and training. Likewise, they must also be appropriately protected from construction dusts – which goes well beyond just wearing appropriate Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE).
Asbestos fibres and many construction dusts are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and they have a long latency period before exposure results in respiratory health problems.
This is why construction leaders must take action now to help young people minimise health risks – and awareness training is the vital first principle.
The Sunday Times’ ‘Act Now on Asbestos’ campaign launched, publicising the nature of the asbestos risk affecting over 21,500+ schools in the UK, as well as sharing the personal stories of those afflicted by decades of exposure – a legacy that continues to this day.
The outcome of this campaign was far-reaching and nearly immediate, compelling the HSE to launch a programme of inspections into school asbestos management procedures.
Why does it matter?
Much like the reports focusing on asbestos in hospitals, the ‘Act Now on Asbestos’ campaign targeting schools shows the extent to which the nature of the asbestos risk is changing.
Though tradespeople remain at risk, ‘occupational exposure’ caused by working in an environment with asbestos is an increasingly pressing problem. We explained how in this blog.
This changing ‘face’ of the problem presents a challenge for duty holders, who can’t just look at asbestos safety from project to project, but as a challenge of day-to-day management.
In August, Legionella bacteria hit the headlines in a high-profile case, wherein 39 asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge had to be temporarily evacuated due to the presence of Legionella.
Our Technical Director, Bob Harris, was invited by BBC News to explain the Legionella management issues that could have played a part.
Why does it matter?
Behind the high-profile nature of this case, it served as a reminder that, even without the risk of a major public relations incident, duty holders must remember their fundamental management steps:
1) Assess the risk of Legionella in your system.
2) Implement the recommended control measures from your risk assessment and carry out remedial works to make your systems safe.
3) Monitor the risk with ongoing inspection and testing.
You can download a full Legionella risk management flowchart here.
In the last months of 2023, HSE released its annual report into occupational health – revealing that over 12,000 people lose their lives each year due to historical exposure to respiratory hazards, including over 5,000 deaths related to asbestos exposure.
However, there is important additional context that suggests the HSE’s numbers (which we summarise here) aren’t fully reflective of the changing nature of the problem – or its true scale.
The year concluded with Mesothelioma UK, presenting groundbreaking findings to Parliament about one of these issues – the risks asbestos still poses in schools and hospitals.
Why does it matter?
With over-75s and certain groups of teaching and educational staff not being included in the HSE statistics, there is likely to be a greater number of deaths attributable to asbestos than suggested.
Moreover, with 19,000 people a year developing respiratory illnesses, duty holders need to immediately be aware of just how potent asbestos and construction dust exposure can be – regardless of how long it takes for symptoms to manifest – and act to protect those in their care.
It’s very difficult to predict exactly what will happen: there’s no guarantee that a register or a national asbestos removal plan will happen, despite these being up for debate in the House of Commons, for example.
However, this shouldn’t be disheartening for duty holders and construction leaders, simply because the measures to protect those in their care are effective, and within their control:
Most importantly, however, seeking expert advice is vital – whether you are unsure of where to start, or whether you need to delegate these management priorities to a trusted expert that will keep you compliant and your projects on track.
AEC have over 25 years’ experience keeping workplaces safe, working efficiently, pragmatically and cost-effectively.
If you work with (or have a duty to manage) asbestos or Legionella, or need to protect site workers from construction dusts, simply call us at 020 3384 6175 for tailored advice on your next project.
Protecting ‘at-risk’ patients and staff, managing projects cost-effectively, and juggling these with other vital health, safety and energy-efficiency demands – whilst the regulations governing asbestos safety aren’t unique to the NHS, the scope and scale of challenges you face are. If you are ready to seek that support from a pragmatic, competent partner, get in touch with AEC .
Darren Evans is AEC’s Technical Director. He is also a member of the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association (ATaC) Management Committee, and British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management Committee.
We hope that this guide has resolved your doubts about asbestos awareness training. If you need to organise training (or a refresher), you can see our full course catalogue. If you have any questions about the right training for you, you can email us at [email protected] or call (0)161 872 7111.
Looking after every asbestos-related compliance responsibility is a challenge that can be difficult to carry out alone. AEC can help you with every stage of your project – from expert project management support to carrying out legally-required surveys that can give you the green light to start that work.
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