Council faces serious scrutiny after breaches in asbestos safety
The local authority could be made liable to possible prosecution or fines if these issues aren't addressed.
Asbestos safety breaches at two schools have landed Dumfries and Galloway Council in hot water, it has been revealed.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – the national regulator and watchdog for public health and safety – has hit the local authority with a legal notice.
The action took place following inspections of two unnamed schools in the region last year.
The serious issue is due to be discussed by councillors at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s audit, risk, and scrutiny committee next Tuesday.
A council health and safety report for 2024/25, which will be tabled at the meeting, reads: “The council health and safety team were notified of a HSE notice of contravention of health and safety legislation towards the council during this reporting period following HSE visit to two schools on May 15, 2024 in respect to asbestos management arrangements.
“Improvement actions have since included purchase of asbestos management MODUS software, and revised guidance and e-learning packages to enhance support lead
occupiers and managers.”
A notice of contravention (NoC) is a formal notification from the HSE that they believe an organisation has breached health and safety laws.
It is not formal enforcement but acts as a precursor to formal action, potentially including prosecution.
The NoC will detail the specific legislation the council has contravened and may result in fines and further legal action if not resolved promptly.
In the same council report, officers underlined their ‘main focus areas for operational health and safety activities’ last year, and asbestos was top of a long list.
Other health and safety priorities included an operational review of the council’s material biological treatment facility on the outskirts of Dumfries, aswell as inspecting premises at higher risk of fire.