THE HEALTH and Safety Executive (HSE) has served Thurrock Council with an Improvement Notice for failing to train its Head-teachers in asbestos awareness.
With concerns that with the cancellation of Building Schools For The Future (BSF) the fabric and quality of schools may decline, the HSE has targeted organisations that have “may need prompting” in safety regulations.
A Thurrock Council spokesperson said: “In previous years the council arranged an initial programme of training for staff in schools raising awareness of asbestos requirements. The HSE have identified that a further programme of refresher training is now needed and that subsequent ongoing training will be needed to take into account changes in school staff, ensuring that staff continue to be aware of the requirements when dealing with this material.
“The council has already responded to the advice from HSE and has developed new updated training programmes and arranged training for staff in schools, which will include headteachers”.
