Internal Auditors Call For Improvement In Management Of Material

Glasgow City Council has been urged by internal auditors to improve its records related to the presence of asbestos materials in its buildings, with the warning that current policies on the issue are out of date.

The city’s Evening Times reports that the asbestos monitoring system Modus needs to be kept updated, with auditors identifying that policies on the management of the deadly material had not been updated since 2003.

They have also called for an asbestos ‘tsar’ to be appointed to ensure they keep on top on the issue, as well as the introduction of a central register of recommendations from asbestos surveys to be implemented.

A council spokesman told the newspaper: “We audit our processes and procedures because we want them to be as robust as they possibly can.

"In this case, we found weaknesses in the way we share and record information about some of our estate and, quite rightly, those are being challenged and improved as a matter of priority.”

Opposition leaders described the report as “damning” and added that the council must “get a grip” of the situation.

Expert Opinion

These are very worrying reports which have emerged in relation to the management of asbestos in public buildings in Glasgow and it is welcome that work is already underway to address this issue. <br/> <br/>"However, the fact matters were allowed to get this way must also be placed under some scrutiny, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that the same problems are not allowed to emerge again. <br/> <br/>"We represent a number of people whose lives have been touched by the legacy of asbestos exposure, including a growing number who have come into contact with the material in public buildings such as hospitals and schools. <br/> <br/>"This is the latest in numerous stories we have seen raising concerns related to asbestos management in such buildings and it is vital that further investigations are considered into this issue to no one is put at risk of exposure."