Asbestos in schools


Unions held their first national conference to discuss the protection of children and staff from the dangers of asbestos in schools and colleges was held in Birmingham earlier this month. 


The Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC) conference heard that the continuing presence of asbestos in schools is a scandal, as is the “shocking lack of consistency in the way in which it is managed”. Over eight in 10 schools (86%) contain asbestos and deaths from mesothelioma are increasing, with children and teaching staff at increasing risk from exposure to asbestos. 


NUT general secretary Kevin Courtney said that the conference aimed to bring together representatives from government, the Health and Safety Executive, the medical profession, employers and trade unions in order to share a better understanding of the need to begin a national phased programme of removal.

www.juac.org.uk/juac-asbestos-in-schools-conference-4-july-2017