Discovery of asbestos closes school in Cumbria

On the 24 April, Whitehaven Academy in Cumbria reported that a routine survey found “there had been a disturbance to building materials containing asbestos”.

It was decided that the school should temporarily close whilst further survey work and a risk assessment was carried out and to only reopen once its management was “in a position to give the necessary reassurances”, the trust managing the school said.

This story further highlights the disturbing fact that asbestos is present in most UK schools. It is widely accepted that any school building built before the year 2000 is likely to contain some form of asbestos.

Asbestos Surveying and Consultancy

Global Environmental has extensive experience of providing asbestos surveying and consultancy to the education sector with particular focus on schools and higher and further education colleges. Key issues that need to be managed include: segregation and out-of-hours working (weekends, evenings, school holidays); tight deadlines, liaising with Caretakers/Business Managers etc. and robust re-instatement to withstand the additional wear/tear.