Asbestos Management in Schools

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used in building products between 1950 and 2000 and is likely to be found in any building built or refurbished within this period. 

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) are perfectly safe if they are kept intact and in good condition. 

In order to ensure this we have strict processes to identify, manage, and monitor ACM’s and ensure that any maintenance processes are carried out within these processes to minimise risk to contractors and occupants. 

When ACM’s are identified and found to be in good condition the safest way to deal with them is to manage them in situ. 

The removal of ACM’s that are in good condition is not advised by the Health and Safety Executive as removal will always involve disturbing asbestos. 

Torfaen County Borough and the School Management Teams take their responsibility as duty holders very seriously and ensure that all relevant actions comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and any other relevant guidance.

Asbestos Management Arrangements

In line with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, each school built before 2000 has been subject to an Asbestos Management Survey which shows the location, type and condition of the ACMs present in the building. The condition of ACMs is monitored regularly at site level and as a minimum on an annual basis by a professional surveyor. 

The council’s asbestos management process also includes:

• Asbestos Management Plans for each premises which outlines how ACM’s need to be managed;
• Annual Inspections of any ACMs left in situ;
• Ensuring that any contractors engaged to work on the building have received training in Asbestos Awareness;
• Ensuring that contractors/staff check the asbestos management plan if they are working on the building, minimising the risk of accidental disturbance of any ACMs;
• Premises Manager training for key staff (e.g. Headteacher, Caretaker);
• Asbestos Awareness Training from a trainer accredited by the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) for all Caretakers or Premises Managers;
• Access to specialist Health & Safety and Asbestos Management advice within Torfaen County Borough Council;
• Audits of asbestos management processes;
• A contractor management policy to ensure that suitable, competent contractors are used to undertake any work on the fabric of council buildings.

The council has a system of planning for the removal of any ACMs, including those that will be affected by planned refurbishment work.

Where refurbishment of an area is planned any ACMs will be considered for removal.

The schools listed below have asbestos containing materials that are managed by an asbestos management plan.

Primary Schools

• Brynteg Nursery Abersychan
• Coed Eva Primary School
• Croesyceiliog Primary School
• Cwmffrwdoer Primary School
• George street Primary School
• Greenmeadow Primary School
• Griffithstown Primary School
• Henllys Church In Wales Primary School
• Llanyravon Primary School
• Maendy Primary School
• New Inn Primary School
• Our Lady of The Angels RC Primary School
• Penygarn Community Primary School
• Ponthir Church in Wales School
• Pontnewydd Primary School
• St David's R C School
• Victoria Primary School
• Woodlands Community Primary School
• Ysgol Bryn Onnen
• Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran
• Ysgol Panteg (Kemys Fawr Site)
• Ysgol Panteg (Griffithstown Site)

Secondary Schools

• Abersychan School
• Croesyceiliog School
• Cwmbran High School
• St Albans RC High School
• West Monmouth School
• Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw

Anyone requiring more detail can contact the school via the usual communication process.

If you want to find out more about the law in relation to managing asbestos in schools please visit the Health and Safety Executive website for frequently asked questions.