Statement on ITN report on asbestos

The Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) has commented on the ITN report on asbestos in schools (15 February 2008: http://itn.co.uk/news/54d7c70c26cda4b9459b2084d00d97db.html).

PAT General Secretary Philip Parkin said: “These findings are of great concern.  It is now time for all schools to be checked and appropriate action taken. Where safety dictates, the asbestos must be removed and disposed of safely.

"Schools are generally safe places and the general picture of effective health and safety procedures in schools is to the credit of the school workforce and governors. These procedures are underpinned by informed risk assessment and proportionate control measures. Our  concern about the asbestos issue is the lack of information and basic knowledge available to schools and governing bodies.

"There has been no official national assessment of the extent of the asbestos problem in schools. Our experience is that, in local authority maintained schools, head teachers, staff and governing bodies have been neither adequately informed nor adequately trained. There are now increasing numbers of schools outside local authority control with direct responsibility for health and safety resting with the governors.

"It is believed that most staff working in schools do not know the locations of asbestos in their schools and there is no Health and Safety Executive guidance compelling schools to tell staff and parents. Apparently this is because the HSE believes in protecting the public from things that may cause alarm. The HSE believes people should be informed on a need-to-know basis rather than a right-to-know. PAT believes there is a right-to-know.

"The DCSF, HSE and others are doing good work on the sensible management of risk, but, in relation to asbestos, we don't know what the risk is and this is totally unsatisfactory."