Asbestos in schools – fears for 1,000 British schools after increasing number of teacher deaths

A new report has expressed ‘extreme concern’ as up to 1,000 schools could contain asbestos in the UK.

A report, published by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has revealed that 700,000 pupils are learning in ‘unsafe’ schools that need major rebuilding or refurbishment.

The report has criticised the school estate, adding that the number of pupils learning in poorly maintained or potentially unsafe buildings is ‘unacceptable.’ Many concerns raised are related to the ‘serious RAAC’ issues, but the committee has also called for the government to work up a ‘full picture’ of asbestos in schools.

According to the report, since 2011, around 11 teachers or ex-teachers have died from asbestos-related conditions each year, Health and Safety Executive data suggests. The report urges the Government to develop a package of support and good practice, targeted at helping mitigate the negative impact on pupils and teachers of schools that are in poor condition but cannot yet be fixed.

The report found that, as of July 2023, the DfE was unsighted on asbestos in just over 4% of schools. While this has fallen from 7% at May 2022, this still represents almost 1,000 schools. Both RAAC and asbestos can be present in the same building, complicating any works to tackle the issues.

Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Committee, said:

“A significant proportion of children in this country are learning in dilapidated or unsafe buildings. This is clearly beyond unacceptable, but overcoming the consequences of this deficit of long-term infrastructure planning will not be easy.

“The images of classroom ceilings collapsed onto empty school desks released in recent months are not just searing indictments of a deteriorating school estate. They are chilling reminders of absolute catastrophe averted through sheer luck.

“Given the poor condition of so many of these buildings, the Government’s prime challenge now is to keep the safety of children and staff absolutely paramount.”

The report also stated that the school leadership union, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said that shared occupancy of school buildings by adults and young people can lead to a higher risk of asbestos disturbance than in other workplaces and that even normal school activities can routinely disturb asbestos.

It added that this leads to increased risk for everyone in the school environment. However, the DfE confirmed that its policy is not to remove all asbestos in the school estate, as this would be expensive and dangerous.

What is asbestos?

Exposure to asbestos can cause serious, and sometimes life-threatening health implications. Asbestos was used as a building material in the late 1900s as it was thought to be a cost-effective, fire-resistant and easily mined. However, it was later found that exposure to the material can cause serious illness.

Asbestos becomes dangerous if it is disturbed, as the toxic fibres will enter the atmosphere and can be inhaled. This usually happens during building works, DIY or renovations.

Symptoms of asbestosis

It can take 20 to 30 years after being exposed to asbestos before symptoms appear. If asbestosis is left untreated, it can develop into other serious illnesses including lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma and pulmonary hypertension.

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent cough
• Wheezing
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Pain in your chest or shoulder
• In more advanced cases, clubbed (swollen) fingertips

Further reading

Mesothelioma/Asbestos-related claims – Oakwood Solicitors

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