The Occupational Health Role in Tackling Asbestos In Schools
                     
Olive Learning



 
 

  

Olive Learning 
      

The Occupational Health 

Role in Tackling 

Asbestos In Schools 
 


   

asbestosawareness.training  +44 20 3579 7542 

A safe and supportive environment is 

essential for better learning, physical and 

mental health for students and staff. It is 

really important to carefully manage the 

school building to learn or work in a safe and 

healthy environment to prevent injuries and 

health issues.  

 

What is asbestos ? 

 

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which was a common construction 

material as it is very cheap and easy to use. It contains very minute fiber particles 

can spread in to air from damaged and broken asbestos.  

 

There are many asbestos-related diseases which can cause from the exposure of 

these fibers into the air. It is very easy to inhale these fibers by human beings, as 

the fibers in the asbestos are very small in nature. The main diseases from 

asbestos exposure are lung cancer, mesothelioma (which is cancer found in the 

lining of the lung) and asbestosis, a long-term lung condition makes difficult to 

breath.  

 

 

 

 


   

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Tracking and removing in the school building 

 

A year there is around 2,000 lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure from the 

ruined school building contains asbestos or school buildings built in 70’s and 80’s. 

High levels of exposure of asbestos can cause during the renovating and 

demolishing the school buildings contain asbestos. Exposure to the dust puts 

teachers and students at increased risk for asbestos- related diseases. 

Always remember to take proper precautions and asbestos awareness training 

before carrying all these tasks and make sure that all the staff and students in that 

building are safe. However, by 1980s most of this kind of work was stopped in 

Britain and the figures from lung cancer are slowly decreasing.  

 

The Education Department has reviewed its policy on asbestos management in 

schools and its environments. Effective management of asbestos in the schools 

can have many barriers as the asbestos fiber are invisible and difficult to identify 

easily. One of the most visually identifiable and visible asbestos products is 

corrugated cement roofing sheets. If cement-based products are presumed to be 

present, then samples will need to be taken to positively identify asbestos fibers. 

 

Steps to identify if you school building contains asbestos.  

 

• Check the manufacturer and product name on the insulation label 

• Do a web search to find out if it contains asbestos. 

• Look at joints. 


   

asbestosawareness.training  +44 20 3579 7542 

• Analyze surface patterns.  

• Inspect exterior building materials.  

• Investigate interior panels.  

• Check appliances and finishing materials. 

• Assess the location. 

 

Identifying the asbestos content in the school and surroundings will help to reduce 

asbestos-related diseases up to a certain limit. Remove the asbestos from your 

area by taking proper precautions or by appointing a certified asbestos removal 

contractor for safe removal without the exposure.