April 2016: In aid of ‘Global Asbestos Awareness week,’ Euro Environmental offers free Asbestos management training to UK schools.

‘Global Asbestos Awareness week’ is an established campaign, which runs between 1st – 7th April, originally initiated by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organisation (ADAO). It aims to reduce the levels of Asbestos in the world to protect against the risks of Asbestos related diseases, such as Mesothelioma, Asbestos related Lung Cancer, Asbestosis and Non-Malignant Pleural Plaques.
Euro Environmental Ltd is supporting the cause by offering free Asbestos management training to maintenance staff in schools throughout the UK. Many established school buildings were developed before the year 2000, so there is a high risk that Asbestos containing materials may have been used in the construction process. In fact, it is estimated 75% of schools built in the post war era still contain Asbestos today (The Guardian, 2015). As Asbestos in the Education sector is a very sensitive, high priority issue, Euro Environmental understands the need for staff to be trained appropriately to enable them to respond to threats effectively and discreetly.
Matthew Aizlewood, Contracts Manager, articulates, “Asbestos use was prevalent in schools as the majority of the buildings were built between the 1950’s and 1980’s – the height of Asbestos use in this country. As a result, many schools were unknowingly left with an unfortunate legacy of having to manage potentially dangerous material and relevant individuals were often unaware of the extent of the threat or the locations of hazardous materials. Asbestos only poses a risk if it is damaged or disturbed, therefore correct management of the material is essential and the first step in safely managing Asbestos is to know it is there i.e. Asbestos awareness.”
Asbestos containing materials can be safe if they remain in-situ, provided the material is managed well, which is another reason why Education is a high risk sector. Many of the schools containing Asbestos are coming to the end of their useful lives. Old buildings will require frequent maintenance updates and upgrades, which may cause disturbance of hazardous materials. Due to the amount of individuals frequenting the premises – staff, children and parents – if Asbestos is not managed appropriately, there is the potential for exposure to lethal Asbestos fibres.
Lee Hall, Managing Director, says that Asbestos awareness is only the first step. Relevant personnel need to make sure knowledge is also applied correctly and they must follow up on report recommendations. He explains, “As schools everywhere will appreciate, adequate education is the key first step from which everything else follows.”
School decision makers are encouraged to contact Euro Environmental for further information, if they wish to benefit from the free training, by visiting www.euroenvironmental.co.uk. The offer of training is only valid for the month of April, but following this period education providers will still be able to maintain contact by opting to receive free email downloads and updates relevant to their needs.

Guardian reference: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/may/19/schools-asbestos-buildings-unable-get-rid