Asbestos in Schools 'CLASP' Working Group Terms of reference

The work of the ‘Asbestos in CLASP and other System Buildings’ Working Group (AC&SBWG) is in response to new (autumn 2006) information about the potential for asbestos fibre release in CLASP schools built between 1945 and 1980 (see footnote 1).

AC&SBWG will be GB wide and will specifically address the issue of potential asbestos fibre release in CLASP and other similar system built schools (as described in footnote 1). However, any advice provided would be extended to other types of system buildings in the public sector constructed in the above period where the same scenario for potential fibre release exists.

The AC&SBWG will operate as an advisory group and its functions will be to:

• ensure that all school education duty holders are aware of the asbestos issues as they affect CLASP and other similar system built schools.
• obtain information from school education duty holders to establish their level of understanding of the issue and application of the advice for remedial action given by HSE (see footnote 2);
• evaluate the effectiveness of the remedial action advised by HSE (see footnote 2);
• obtain information on the level of compliance with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2006;
• provide further information and guidance to education duty holders;
• share information and guidance with the duty holders of other similar system buildings in the public sector.
• share information and guidance with other parts of HSE’s services sector where there are CLASP or other similar system buildings.
• liaise with the Field Operations Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive
• agree a proactive publicity strategy; and
• complete this work as quickly as possible and in all cases by 30 June 2007.

The AC&SBWG will produce the following outputs:

• Communication Strategy to include:
  • liaison with external stakeholders, HSE’s Field Operations Division and other parts of the services sector where CLASP and other similar system buildings exist
  • Proactive press statement announcing the establishment of the WG and its purpose
  • Proactive articles for presentation in relevant education journals and newsletters.
  • HSE will report to the WG on the inspection activity which will commence early in 2007 and continue into the new work year.
• Guidance
  A detailed briefing note for education duty holders to further illustrate the scenario for potential fibre release in CLASP and other similar system buildings and the action they need to take to remedy it. This advice will be extended to duty holders of other system buildings in the public sector where the same scenario may exist.
• Reports
  A report on the findings of HSL’s sampling and analysis of fibre release from remediated CLASP buildings to test the effectiveness of the remedial action advised.
• Inspection activity
  An inspection/enforcement activity programme for HSE’s Field Operations Division for work year 2007/2008

Membership of AC&SBWG will be limited to one representative from the following organisations:

• Local Government Employers ( England)
• Welsh Local Government Association
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• Institute of the Clerks of Works
• SCAPE
• Chief Building Surveyors Society (CBSS)
• Employee representative for teaching staff
• Employee representative for support staff
• HSE will provide the chairperson, secretariat function and technical expertise for the group. Representatives from the Department for Education and Skills will provide further technical support.

Footnote 1

Following some asbestos work at a CLASP school in late July 2006, contractors failed to obtain levels of fibre in air below ‘clearance levels’ when as part of deliberate disturbance procedures they struck parts of the metal casing around columns in the room. The evidence suggested that fibres were spreading from damaged column casing. The method used to count the fibres did not discriminate between asbestos and non-asbestos fibres. Later simulation work in a sealed area indicated that there was potential for exposure to persons in the room if the scale of disturbance was reproduced.

This information was reported to HSE mid September 2006. An investigation into the cause of the fibre release found that there had to be certain specific circumstances for the event to occur:

• There needs to be damaged asbestos (eg asbestos insulating board (AIB) or debris) present within the columns, for example, AIB which has been damaged by earlier maintenance or installation work,
• There has to be significant impact on the casings, i.e. casings being forcibly struck causing fibres to come off the exposed edges of the damaged AIB.
• There has to be a poor seal in some of the metal column casings which enclose the AIB, causing gaps through which fibres escape into the room. For example where window replacement has broken into the columns – contrary to advice from SCAPE.

Footnote 2

HSE circulated an advisory note to Directors of Education/Children’s Services in England, Scotland and Wales and to Governing Bodies of Foundation, Voluntary Aided and Independent schools informing them of the potential for fibre release and requiring them to identify CLASP buildings in their control and take action to seal gaps in the structure through which fibres could escape, to prevent any potential asbestos fibre release.