UNISON Asbestos in Schools Survey 2015

We are seeking information on the management of asbestos in schools and are requesting that one UNISON rep from each school complete this short survey. This is to establish a picture of how asbestos in schools is being managed. More than 75 per cent of Britain’s schools contain asbestos. Much of that is badly maintained, meaning that children and staff are exposed to this killer fibre. Over 140 school teachers have died from mesothelioma in the past ten years. An unknown number of cleaners, admin staff and caretakers have also died. The number of children who have died as a result of exposure to asbestos while at school is unknown but in the US it was estimated that for every teacher’s death nine children will die. That would mean that over 100 people die every year in the UK as a result of exposure when they were at school. Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, schools must maintain and regularly update an asbestos register with the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials in the school.