Posted By Dennis Bray From the limited information you have given the location of the ACM being removed suggests it could be asbestos lagging or similar materials. Therfore that whole area should be enclosed in order to prevent escape of asbestos fibres. Attached to this enclosure should be the decontamination unit. The removal procedure should also have been submitted and approved by the HSE depending on the risks involved. I would suggest further enquiries of the school and/or LEA and/or HSE.

Posted By Ron Hunter I'll offer a differing opinion. Particularly where the work enclosure opens into the open air, there is no need to have the hygiene facilities physically 'attached' to the enclosure. The test of reasonable practicability applies. What Debbie describes is permitted by the Regs - see para 135 of ACoP L28. Without seeing the site, we cannot judge or test sfarp. There may be overrriding issues such as fire/emergency evacuation. The real issues here are (a) a probable failure to plan work effectively (i.e. outwith term time), and (b)failure to properly inform parents. Proper initial and rigorous decontamination on leaving the work enclosure will result in negligible risk to the public.

Posted By Jack - - and, of course, you have the right to see it under Freedom of Information. Just ask.

Posted By Dave Wilson AARRGHH!!!!!!!! Debbie, I work as the HS&E Manager for an asbestos removal company and I hope I can put your mind at rest here. The first issue with working during term time, this is always and I mean always at the request of the client / contractor to fit in with their project time scales. We have to notify the removal works 14 days in advance to the HSE before we are allowed to even set foot on the site to set up, the client / contractor cannot do any work in the area until the asbestos has been removed, so 2 week notification, 6 day job - contractor cannot start for at least 3 weeks, so get Asi guys in 3 weeks before school closes and then we have the whole of the summer term to do our work! From what I can make of your brief observations ASI contractor is doing nothing wrong, the cleint / Contracrtor / School should have been more forthcoming with what is happening however if they tell the parents the response is normally, "NO Bloody Chance whilst my kids are at school" but has to be done sometime etc so then the main work cannot be done in time for end of term. NO win for all concerned, WE get this every year during this time, Visits from the HSE /EHO etc etc because of parents and whistleblowers etc, it is a hard, dangerous job, which is very well controlled, with trained and competent staff, I just wish the Planning Supervisors, Clients, Contracts Managers, heads got better informed about this subject and dealt with it in a more professional manner it would stop all the scare mongering. Email if you want a further chat.