School Asbestos Discovery and Work Restart Record
- Version
- v2
- Updated
- 7 October 2026
- Audience
- Primary and secondary schools in England, including maintained schools and academies, and contractors working under school control. Use only when unexpected asbestos or suspect material is found during applicable work.
- Jurisdiction
- england
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Complete this record when unexpected asbestos or suspect material is found during school-controlled maintenance, construction, refurbishment or demolition work. It records the discovery, immediate area controls, stop-work action, reassessment, revised work information and authorisation to restart.
1. Discovery and work details
Date of discovery
RequiredEnter the date on which the asbestos or suspect material was identified.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Time of discovery
RequiredUse the local 24-hour time.
HH:MM
School or site name
RequiredRecord the school or site where the discovery occurred.
Written response
Exact location of discovery
RequiredInclude the building, floor, room or work area and any useful location reference.
Written response
Work activity underway
RequiredDescribe the maintenance, construction, refurbishment or demolition activity being undertaken.
Written response
Contractor or organisation undertaking the work
RequiredRecord the organisation responsible for the work at the time of discovery.
Written response
Name and role of person who identified the material
RequiredRecord the person who identified or reported the asbestos or suspect material.
Written response
Material status at discovery
RequiredSelect all descriptions that apply based on what was observed. Do not treat this selection as confirmation of asbestos content.
Choose all that apply
- Suspect material encountered
- Additional asbestos-containing material indicated
- Material damaged or disturbed
- Debris or fragments present
- Extent or location not yet established
- Other
If other, please specify
Description of material and discovery
RequiredDescribe its apparent form, condition, location, disturbance and any visible debris. Do not make an unverified identification.
Written response
2. Immediate work stoppage and area controls
Confirm that the affected work was stopped
RequiredComplete this only where work was stopped following the discovery.
- Tick when complete
Confirm that the affected area was made safe
RequiredComplete this only where reasonable immediate controls were applied to prevent access or further disturbance.
- Tick when complete
Immediate area controls applied
RequiredSelect all controls applied at the time of discovery.
Choose all that apply
- Access restricted
- People withdrawn from the affected area
- Work equipment or tools stopped and left safe
- Material or debris left undisturbed
- Area isolated from adjoining work areas
- Responsible school or project person notified
- Other
If other, please specify
Details of immediate controls and notifications
RequiredRecord barriers, isolation arrangements, access restrictions, people notified and any matters requiring follow-up.
Written response
Potential exposure or disturbance details
RequiredRecord who may have been in the area, the duration of relevant activity and any visible disturbance. Do not include medical conclusions.
Written response
3. Reassessment before any restart
Date of reassessment
RequiredRecord the date on which the work and controls were reassessed.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Person responsible for reassessment
RequiredRecord the name and role of the person who completed or led the reassessment.
Written response
Reassessment findings
RequiredExplain how the discovery affects the planned work, the affected area, people who may be exposed and the controls needed before any work can restart.
Written response
Revised work information
RequiredSelect the documents or information revised, replaced or obtained as part of the reassessment.
Choose all that apply
- Risk assessment revised
- Method statement revised
- Work plan or sequence revised
- Available asbestos information reviewed
- Specialist advice sought
- No restart information yet available
- Other
If other, please specify
Revised controls and work requirements
RequiredDescribe the controls, competence requirements, sequencing, exclusion arrangements and other conditions required before work can restart.
Written response
Current restart status
RequiredSelect the status at the time this record is completed.
Choose one
- Work remains stopped
- Reassessment complete; restart authorisation pending
- Restart authorised for the defined work and area
- Work scope changed before any restart
4. Authorisation and record closure
Name and role of person authorising restart or continued stoppage
RequiredRecord the person responsible for the decision recorded in the current restart status.
Written response
Date of authorisation or status decision
RequiredRecord the date on which the current restart status was decided.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Authorisation conditions or reasons
RequiredState the scope, location, conditions and limitations of any restart authorisation, or the reasons work remains stopped.
Written response
Outstanding follow-up actions
RequiredList actions still required, the person responsible and the target date. If none are known, state that explicitly.
Written response
Related project, work order or incident reference
Enter an existing reference used by the school or contractor, if applicable.
Written response