School Asbestos Information and Emergency Communication Guidance

School asbestos information and emergency communication

This guidance applies where people may work in or use school buildings containing asbestos or suspected asbestos, including out-of-hours and community use.

Information for people using the building

People who work in or use areas containing asbestos or suspected asbestos should be given information about the relevant asbestos locations in the rooms or areas they use.

They should also be told which work or activities to avoid because they may disturb asbestos materials, and what to do after accidental damage. The current arrangements are available from [asbestos information contact role] via [asbestos information contact method].

Contractors and people undertaking work

Before work is undertaken, relevant asbestos information should be communicated to contractors and others whose work may disturb asbestos materials. Contractors should receive the applicable information and training arrangements before undertaking such work.

Work that may disturb asbestos materials should not be undertaken unless the relevant asbestos information and arrangements have been addressed. Queries should be directed to [asbestos information contact role] via [asbestos information contact method].

Parents, carers, visitors and community users

Information made available to parents, carers and other visitors should reflect the asbestos materials that may be disturbed, as identified through the applicable risk assessment.

Where buildings are used out of hours or by community users, the arrangements for communicating relevant asbestos information and controlling activities that may disturb asbestos should be identified in the school's asbestos management arrangements.

Accidental damage

If accidental damage to asbestos or suspected asbestos occurs, follow [accidental damage action route] and provide the information required by the school's asbestos management arrangements.

Emergency services

Information about the location and condition of asbestos or suspected asbestos should be made available to emergency services.

An up-to-date copy of the asbestos register should be available to emergency services without requiring access to the building. The access arrangement is [emergency services asbestos information arrangement].

Communication arrangements

The school's asbestos management arrangements should identify how relevant information is provided to staff, contractors, visitors, parents, carers, community users and emergency services. The responsible contact is [asbestos information contact role].