Asbestos exposure is often considered a legacy issue—that belongs to the past. However, it remains a very present and pressing danger for thousands of public buildings across the UK, particularly schools and hospitals.
AT A GLANCE
- Uncover the scale of the hidden asbestos crisis in UK schools and hospitals.
- Discover why “safe if undisturbed” is no longer a viable asbestos management strategy.
- Understand what the latest calls for stronger legislation mean.
- Learn how SEAS can provide support for asbestos investigation, removal, and remediation solutions.
- Gain practical advice for property owners, duty holders, and managers.
The materials are ageing and in many cases, deteriorating, making them far more likely to release harmful fibres when disturbed through everyday maintenance, repair works, or simply due to wear and tear. The risk is no longer confined to traditional high-risk workers—it’s teachers, nurses, support staff, and even children who are now most at risk.
Jamie: Unfortunately, we’re lagging behind our European neighbours. A 2022 Parliamentary report called for the creation of a national asbestos register and a phased 40-year removal programme, with schools and hospitals taking top priority. However, the government rejected both proposals in favour of continued in-situ management strategies.
The issue is that this passive approach simply doesn’t reflect the real conditions on the ground. A 2022 survey of over 700,000 asbestos samples found that 71% were damaged. That’s a staggering statistic, and unmistakable evidence that ‘safe if undisturbed’ is not a sustainable strategy for public buildings where constant maintenance, high footfall, and natural degradation occur.
From my perspective, we need bold, decisive action—starting with a fully transparent national asbestos register, backed by independent auditing. We also need a funded national plan to safely and responsibly remove asbestos from our public estate. The longer we defer, the greater the risk, not just in human terms, but in the cost of reactive remediation when buildings inevitably deteriorate.
Other countries have recognised that proactive removal is the only long-term, sustainable solution. Why aren’t we doing the same? We have the knowledge, technology, and skills in the industry. What we need now is leadership, investment, and a desire at the government level that reflects the seriousness of the risk.
We offer comprehensive asbestos investigation and surveying services, from management surveys to full-scale refurbishment and demolition assessments. But what’s equally important is what comes next: a realistic and risk-based remediation plan.
“Asbestos isn’t a problem of the past, it’s a present and growing risk in the places we trust the most, like our schools and hospitals. It’s time to move beyond managing asbestos and commit to removing it safely and sustainably.”
JAMIE PURDON
ASBESTOS DIRECTOR, SEAS
Jamie: I’d say: look at the human cost. Asbestos within buildings isn’t just a facilities issue, it’s a health crisis. I’ve spoken with nurses, teachers, and even parents blindsided by a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Their shock and devastation stem from the fact that they never even knew they were at risk.
We can’t continue kicking the can down the road. Other countries are making progress with phased removal policies, and the UK must follow suit. Every year we delay is another year of risk, exposure, and preventable suffering.
Jamie: Thank You. I’m delighted to have the opportunity, and hopefully, some of the advice will help the UK’s property owners, managers, and building consultants navigate the complexities of asbestos in buildings. Safety in construction is vital, and asbestos identification, removal, and remediation are vital for safeguarding people within certain property types, including our hospitals and schools.
Supporting your property asbestos and environmental identification, removal and remediation for a more sustainable future.