HSE Investigation Puts Spotlight On Local Authority

Thurrock Council must do all it can to improve its record on asbestos management in schools, a leading injury and illness expert has claimed.

Guy Darlaston of Irwin Mitchell reacted after the local authority was revealed to be one of ten told by the Health and Safety Executive to up its game in relation to the issue.

In addition, the Thurrock Gazette reports that the body is the only one in the country to be given a prohibition notice, after a boiler room in one school was ruled to be unsafe due to its levels of asbestos.

While the council has claimed to have dealt with that specific case, Guy Darlaston of Irwin Mitchell said lessons must be learnt to ensure it does not happen again.

He explained: “Thurrock Council is not the only local authority to be recently served notices in relation to its asbestos management, but the details which have emerged in relation to the school boiler room are a great concern.

“So many of the cases I deal with showcase the terrible impact that asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma can have on both victims and their loved ones.

“The HSE’s recent work in the area is an excellent step forward to addressing the use of the materials in schools and we hope that Thurrock Council and other local authorities take on board everything that has been said.”