Asbestos in schools ‘CLASP’ Working Group meeting held Wednesday 13 December 2006

Asbestos in schools ‘CLASP’ Working Group
Health and Safety Executive
Hope Room, Rose Court,
2 Southwark Bridge,
London SE1 9HS

Attending

• Rosalind Roberts - HSE, Head of Public Services Sector
• Lorraine Shepherd - HSE, Public Services Sector, Education
• Kevin Walkin - HSE, Asbestos Policy Unit
• Martin Gibson - HSE, Specialist Group, Scotland
• Garry Burdett - Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL)
• Steven Sumner - Local Government Employers (LGE)
• Jonathan Lloyd - Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
• Donald Findlay - Convention Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA)
• David Mackness - SCAPE (trading arm of CLASP)
• Richard Daniels - DfES, Building Services
• Fiona Fanning - DfES
• Bob Johnson - NASUWT
• Francis Lee - UNISON
• Simon Morley Nottinghamshire - County Council - Surveyor

Apologies

• Phil Singleton - Institute of Clerks of Works

1. Background

1.1 The working group was established to address the issue of potential asbestos fibre release in CLASP schools built between 1945 and 1980. The circumstances necessitating the establishment of this working group were summarised as follows:

• 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.
• 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 (e.g. 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 that were meant to 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.
  • 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 asbestos could escape, to prevent any potential fibre release.

1.2 David Mackness from SCAPE provided an explanation of the CLASP system build structure. A copy of his presentation is attached to this note for information. Some key points to note are:

• Total number of CLASP projects in the UK is 3,134 in 155 ownerships.
• The largest number of projects is in local authorities; others within the public sector include hospitals and MOD sites. Only about 200 projects are in private ownership.
• Marks 2, 3, 3B, 4, 4B, and early 5 CLASP building systems will contain asbestos materials.
• Other system build schools will have used similar construction techniques and are likely to contain asbestos.
• Metal casings around the columns may be insulated with asbestos insulating board and in some cases this is adhered to the casing.
• Gaps are most likely to occur at certain points in the metal casings around the columns (see diagrams in attached presentation)
• These gaps are most likely to be present if the metal casing has been cut in some way, for example, by maintenance and installation work or if the casing has been removed and then repositioned.
• However, where none of these activities have occurred and the casing remains intact and has been routinely painted over the years then gaps are not likely to be found.
• Not all columns will contain asbestos insulating board. It may only be present in those that provide fire protection.
• Asbestos material will also be present in window infill panels.
• Asbestos products may have been used as unrecorded substitute items where there were material shortages and/or poor supervision. In addition excess or waste asbestos may have been left hidden inside columns or panels, all as a result of poor working practices at construction. Consequently, asbestos may be found in unexpected locations, and the presumption should be that asbestos is present around columns concealed by the metal casing.

1.3 The SCAPE archive contains system drawings, layouts and building lists. SCAPE can identify most CLASP buildings and their owners. Out of the 3,155 CLASP buildings in the UK, the owners of most have been written to and advice given. Only 47 owners had not been identified.

2. Draft Terms of Reference

The working group (WG) made a number of comments on the draft terms of reference. These will now be revised to take account of the following points:

• Extend advice to other types of system built schools where the same scenario for potential fibre release exists.
• The WG will share information and guidance with other parts of the services sector where there are CLASP buildings.
• The functions of the WG will be clarified in an action plan and expanded to include:
  • the WG’s liaison role with stakeholders and HSE’s Field Operations Division
  • HSE will advise the WG on inspection activity commencing early in 2007 and continuing into the new work year (April 07 to April 08).
• Expand the footnote to clarify the circumstances that were evident in the school where the release of fibres occurred.
• Set out the products that the WG will deliver.

3. Assessment of remedial work in CLASP constructed schools

Garry Burdett, HSL provided a preliminary summary of his investigation into the effectiveness of sealing the column casings in CLASP construction schools.

3.2 There are two areas which may require sealing (a) the casing which encloses the structural steel column (and the AIB) at room level, and (b) the tops of columns which are located in the suspended roof void. The casing at room level will be sealed using a silicon sealant and further protected with strong adhesive tape. The top of the column will be enclosed by spraying with expanding foam.

3.3 Preliminary results from the investigation suggest that both a) and b) are effective in reducing airborne fibre releases into the respective areas. This is further supported through additional sampling work in CLASP buildings where remediation has taken place. The results of this further work will be made available to the WG at the next meeting.

4. Local Authority Survey Results

Steve Sumner, National Health and Safety Policy Adviser for LGE gave a presentation on the position in Local Education Authorities with respect to asbestos management in English schools.

A telephone questionnaire carried out by the LGE yielded 33 responses from the 65 Local Authorities contacted over a period of 2.5 days. The results provide a positive picture with regard to the LAs knowledge of CLASP and the action being taken in line with HSE’s recommendations. A copy of his presentation is attached for information.

Jonathan Lloyd from WLGA reported that the picture in Wales was also positive with LAs already doing surveys and taking appropriate action under the ‘duty to manage’ requirement. Donald Findlay from CoSLA undertook to recommend that CoSLA carry out a similar survey exercise as LGE to ascertain the position in Scottish LAs. Simon Morley, surveyor for Notts County Council explained the actions they were taking in the 600 CLASP schools under their control. He also indicated that Notts CC would be happy to take part in any further assessment work by HSL.

5. Guidance for duty holders

5.1 Further detailed guidance was being prepared for duty holders. It was agreed that HSE would review and revise this in light of the discussions that had taken place at the meeting. Simplified drawings and photographs would be included to help clarify the locations for potential fibre release within the CLASP buildings. Consultation with WG members would be done via email.

6. Press Strategy

It was agreed that a short statement to announce the establishment of the WG and its purpose should be issued and distributed via members’ networks. In addition to this, proactive articles would be prepared for presentation in relevant education journals and newsletters. HSE representatives will confirm arrangements for these two strands of activity with HSE’s press office.

7. Date of next meeting

7.1 The next meeting of the WG will be held in February 2007. Proposed dates will be circulated shortly.