| Reviewed by: | Suzanne Deadman, 06 05 2025 |
| Ratified by: | Resources Committee, nxt mtg: 05 06 2025 |
| Next Review: | Summer term 2026 |
Contents
Introduction
It is the policy of Oakbridge Federation to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, no persons are exposed to risks to their health due to the exposure of any asbestos containing materials (ACM) that may present within the premises. This includes pupils, teachers, staff, parents, visitors, contractors and others who are reasonably expected to be present on the premises.
This document sets out the policy, management plan and procedures for managing asbestos at Oakbridge Federation.
The presence of ACMs does not in itself constitute a danger. However, it is hazardous when disturbed or damaged and must be treated accordingly.
Activities which give rise to airborne dust, e.g., abrasion, breaking, sawing, cutting, drilling or machining ACMs, are most likely to present risks.
Staff and contractors are not expected to work with or be exposed to asbestos on the school site.
Asbestos Management Plan
Oakbridge Federation recognises the responsibilities and duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, to provide as healthy and safe an environment as is reasonably practicable for all employees, pupils, contractors, visitors and members of the public.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 the school recognises and accepts its duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. This plan relates solely to the management of ACMs, it is a live document and will be reviewed periodically as and when new legislation, Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and good practice is changed.
Asbestos Policy
The School Asbestos Policy conforms to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
The Policy, Plan and Procedures apply to all parts of the school without exception.
The policy is in place to prevent exposure to the hazards associated with asbestos containing materials by:
- Promoting awareness of the hazards of asbestos containing materials and the policy, management plan and procedures through training of staff
- Providing and maintaining an Asbestos Register
- Freely providing information on asbestos
- Implementing an effective asbestos containing materials management plan so that appropriate measures, such as monitoring, encapsulation, sealing, labelling, inspection or removal of the material are undertaken
- Regularly reviewing the School Asbestos Policy, Asbestos Management Plan and Procedures.
Responsibilities
All those who have responsibility for the control and maintenance and/or repair have the school premises have a duty to manage the asbestos present in the buildings.
Executive Head Teacher and Chair of Governors
The Executive Head Teacher in accordance with the Chair of Governors will:
- Take reasonable steps to determine the location and condition of materials likely to contain asbestos.
- Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not.
- Ensure there is an up-to-date survey in place which records the location and condition of the asbestos materials and the presumed asbestos materials in the school.
- Assess the risk of the likelihood of anyone being exposed to fibres from asbestos materials
- Prepare a plan setting out how the risks from the asbestos will be managed.
- Review and monitor the plan periodically
- Provide information on the location and condition of the materials to anyone who is liable to work on or disturb them.
- Provide information and instruction to all staff on the location of asbestos within the school.
- Provide training to staff that may as part of their role encounter asbestos materials and have a duty to inspect and monitor them.
Premises Manager
The Premises Manager will:
- Visually inspect areas where ACM’s have been identified and monitor the condition
- Presume materials to contain asbestos unless there is evidence not to do so.
- Following initial Asbestos Survey, plan and arrange annual re-inspections with approved contractors including updating and maintaining a written record of the locations of asbestos and presumed asbestos materials.
- Assess the risk of exposure and document actions necessary to manage the asbestos.
- If working in the location of any known ACMs, to ensure that contractors have signed to say that they have seen the Asbestos Register and have completed an Asbestos ‘Permit to work.
- Ensure the survey is kept up to date and shall provide a record of the location, condition, maintenance and removal for all ACMs on the School’s site.
- To repair, seal, label or remove asbestos, if there is a risk of exposure due to its condition or location then request a competent contractor attend.
- Ensure arrangements are in place so that work which may disturb the ACMs comply with current legislation.
Employees’ Responsibilities
School staff will:
- Report any defects or damage to asbestos containing materials to the Premises Manager.
- Make full and proper use of any control measures put in place for managing any asbestos in their work areas e.g., not pinning displays to areas containing asbestos.
Surveys
Companies undertaking asbestos surveys and analysis shall be UKAS accredited.
Asbestos survey reports shall be presented in a format compatible with the current School asbestos register and shall provide the following minimum information: –
- Purpose and date of survey
- Annotated floor/site plans indicating sampling points and unique references
- Asbestos material assessment
- Priority Assessment, to be prepared in consultation with the Premises Manager
A Refurbishment and Development survey will be carried out before any intrusive works are planned. The programme for asbestos removal and environmental cleaning work shall continue in accordance with the School Asbestos Policy and within available budgets
Training
The Premises Manager will strive to raise awareness of asbestos materials and encourage school staff to check the asbestos register prior to commencing any work activity.
Awareness training will be provided to premises staff and School Business Manager / Head Teacher within the School and will ensure asbestos is considered in all activities and that appropriate checks are made from the asbestos register.
An Aide Memoire will be sent to each employee at the beginning of each academic year. (Appendix 1) Posters (guidance and instruction) will be displayed around the school site. (Appendix 2)
Records of training will be held by the School Business Manager.
Emergency Procedure
The following procedure should be followed whenever suspected ACMs have been disturbed / damaged:
- Work must stop immediately.
- The area isolated – doors and windows shut
- Warning notices displayed to inform people in the immediate area and request that everyone keep away.
- Immediately inform the Head Teacher and provide details of the occurrence.
- The Premises Manager will check the register to establish whether ACMs are present.
- An appropriate risk assessment and control procedures shall be agreed and implemented to avoid exposure of ACMs to any persons on site.
- A competent contractor will be called to assess the situation by the Premises Manager to undertake sampling, analysis and reassurance testing.
- Encapsulation, treatment, or removal of disturbed / damaged asbestos materials shall be carried out in accordance with current legislation before areas are re-occupied.
- Refer to Lewisham Council’s Asbestos Policy (Version 7.0)
- If an exposure (to any person) has been confirmed a RIDDOR must be completed by the School Business Manager and reported to the Health and Safety Executive.
- Lewisham Estates Management and Lewisham Schools Health and Safety Advisor will be informed.
Contractors
The school shall actively select contractors that can demonstrate their competence and understanding of asbestos issues and provide evidence that staff have received asbestos awareness training.
All contractors (regardless of the works being undertaken) will be given a copy of the most recent asbestos survey to look and they will sign to acknowledge receipt. (Appendix 3 – Contractors Code of Conduct)
Review of Asbestos Management Plan
The Asbestos Management Plan shall be reviewed annually by the Premises Manager and School Business Manager in respect of changes made to relevant legislation, changes in key staff, school working practices or the School Asbestos Policy on an annual basis.
Footnote
Forster Park “ Recent survey confirms that there is currently no asbestos left in the school that needs to be inspected or resurveyed, however during any intrusive works, all untested materials will be presumed asbestos until confirmed otherwise.
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Asbestos Aide Memoire
Appendix 2 – Asbestos Poster
What is Asbestos Poster? – Poster