Asbestos in Schools Poorly Managed, say ATaC

The UK’s leading group of asbestos testing and consultancy specialists has published a report which questions the quality of asbestos management in UK schools.

The report from the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association (ATaC) which is based on a sample of group of 16 schools found that “In the majority of these schools the systems of asbestos management are not of an acceptable standard, they are ineffective and at times dangerous”, suggesting that adequate funding has simply not been put in place to allow schools to properly manage the risk of asbestos in their buildings.

Commenting on the report’s findings, Richard Money-Kyrle, Partner at Oxford-based medical negligence and personal injury specialists Darbys Solicitors, said “Mesothelioma is a horrible, painful and unnecessary way to die. With a latency period of 20 - 50 years children are more likely to die from exposure than adults.”

Many fear that exposing today’s children to asbestos whilst at school could lead to an unnecessary increase in premature death in the decades to come. It’s not just children who are at risk, however. Figures show that the number of deaths from asbestos-related diseases among school teachers is far higher than expected for what should be a low-risk occupation.

Money-Kyrle continues, “It is outrageous that schools are not living up to their legal responsibilities to manage this life-threatening danger properly.”

Darbys Solicitors is one of Oxford’s longest established and most prestigious law firms. For more information on the dangers of asbestos-related illnesses, and details of how to make a subsequent claim, visit their website: http://www.darbys.co.uk/.

Contact Information

Richard Money-Kyrle

Partner

Darbys Solicitors

Contact via E-mail