Schools, Asbestos, and the Growing Pressure on Duty Holders

For years, asbestos in schools has remained one of the UK's biggest building safety challenges. While asbestos was banned in 1999, thousands of school buildings across the country still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), creating an ongoing responsibility for schools, trusts, local authorities, and facilities managers. Recent debate around a proposed national asbestos register for schools has once again brought the issue into the spotlight. Despite calls for a central database, the government has maintained that responsibility for identifying and managing asbestos should remain with individual duty holders.

Why Schools Are Still a Major Focus

Many school buildings were constructed during the decades when asbestos was commonly used in ceilings, wall panels, insulation, service ducts, and boiler rooms. As these buildings continue to age, managing asbestos safely becomes increasingly important.

The challenge is that schools are busy environments. Daily wear and tear, maintenance works, refurbishment projects, and even accidental damage can all increase the risk of asbestos-containing materials becoming disturbed. Government guidance continues to stress that asbestos must be actively managed and monitored, particularly in buildings constructed before 2000.

The Importance of Active Management

One of the biggest misconceptions about asbestos is that a survey completed years ago is enough. In reality, asbestos management is an ongoing process.

Schools should ensure they have:

• An up-to-date asbestos survey
• A current asbestos register
• A documented asbestos management plan
• Regular inspections of known ACMs
• Clear communication with contractors before any work begins

Recent HSE guidance has highlighted that inspectors are increasingly focusing on whether asbestos management plans are actively maintained rather than simply existing on paper.

What Happens When Schools Get It Wrong?

Failure to properly manage asbestos can lead to:

• Exposure risks for staff, contractors, and pupils
• Enforcement notices from regulators
• Costly emergency remediation works
• Delays to maintenance and refurbishment projects

The Department for Education continues to emphasise that schools must know where asbestos is located and ensure anyone carrying out work on site has access to that information.

Planning for the Future

As discussions continue around long-term asbestos strategies within public buildings, schools are likely to face increasing scrutiny over how asbestos is monitored and managed. The direction of travel across the industry is clear: better records, improved survey standards, and stronger compliance expectations.

How ICEASBESTOS Can Help

Whether you're responsible for a single school or an entire education estate, ICEASBESTOS provides professional asbestos surveys, management plans, inspections, and licensed removal services. Our team helps schools stay compliant, protect occupants, and manage asbestos safely for the long term.