Asbestos

Asbestos is a deadly threat and should be removed from schools, hospitals and all public sites as soon as possible

asbestos tape on building
Asbestos

A major public health issue

Asbestos causes 5000 deaths per year (HSE), making it the single biggest cause of occupational related deaths

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos in buildings can be disturbed by everyday activities, as well as by maintenance and renovation activities. Exposure to Asbestos can cause lung cancer and cancer of the lining of the lung (mesothelioma). These diseases can take 15 to 60 years to develop and there is no cure for mesothelioma. 

Deaths among school staff linked to asbestos exposure have risen sharply since records began in 1980. Between 1980 and 2021, 431 teachers under the age of 75 in Britain died from mesothelioma. All individuals working and learning in schools are at risk, and children particularly so, given the long latency period.

The situation and what UNISON wants

Around eight in 10 schools still contain asbestos materials, and there is growing concern about the increasing number of education workers being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers.

The current Health and Safety Executive (HSE) policy of managing asbestos as “safe in situ” is not sustainable: we want it removed safely, professionally and as soon as practicable. 

We urgently need a government-led strategy to make public buildings safer from the dangers of asbestos. This must include implementing the recommendations set out in the Work and Pensions Select Committee report.

What UNISON is calling for

Asbestos and the wider condition of the public estate, including the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), shows the need for a coordinated national building‑safety programme. RAAC failures in schools, hospitals and other public buildings highlight the consequences of decades of underinvestment and poor oversight. UNISON’s 5 top‑line points on RAAC and asbestos:
  • 1 Collect and share data centrally on the extent, type and condition of all asbestos in public buildings: for government to work with HSE to develop a central digital register of asbestos in all non-domestic buildings.
  • 2 Prioritise the highest risk buildings and make public a register of every incidence of the fatal fibre.
  • 3 Develop a programme for the phased removal of all asbestos in public service establishments, starting with the most dangerous first, with adequate capital funding made available. This plan should integrate with proposals for the upgrading of the built environment.
  • 4 Support duty holders by funding mandatory training on asbestos risk and management, and information to stakeholders, including staff and parents.
  • 5 Commit to a sustained increase in asbestos inspection and enforcement activity, and back this with appropriate and adequate funding over the medium term for regulation and enforcement.

UNISON resources

 

Not a member?

Join to get support and protection at UNISON

Join UNISON
Timeline of events

Asbestos

No data found