Schools managing asbestos in summer maintenance
As schools and colleges prepare to welcome students back for the new academic year, Northamptonshire-based asbestos removal and cleaning company Specialist Remediation Solutions (SRS) are ready for a breather, having spent the summer break making education buildings safer for children across the UK.
Many schools and colleges are aware that they have asbestos present and choose to manage the hazardous substance rather than remove it, which can be the safest option.
Because of this, any works happen when the children are on holidays, to ensure they avoid any potential risk and any disruption to day-to-day teaching.
In the last six weeks, SRS experts, based in Desborough, have removed asbestos from boiler rooms, as well as roof sheets and textured coatings from hallways and classrooms in education settings nationwide.
They have also fitted blinds on contaminated walls, as drilling must be carefully considered with the help of professionals, and worked with electrical contractors to do any rewiring as this also can involve drilling into contaminated walls.
Elena Paunete, SRS Operations Director, said: “It has been another busy summer for our team as so many schools, colleges and universities would rather we did our work when the students aren’t present. The school holidays are renowned for being a chaotic time in our industry for that very reason.
“It works both ways though, as it is easier for us to work uninterrupted and without having to navigate people constantly moving around the site.
“Managing asbestos rather than removing it can often be the safest option so we are mindful of this and approach each situation separately to assess how best to proceed. Often people are unaware of the different ways that we can help.
“It’s only six weeks until the October half term so any schools who need assistance or advice can book us in for future school holidays too.”
As well as asbestos removal services, SRS, of Desborough, also offer biohazard cleaning services including crime scene and trauma clean ups, virus decontamination and house clearances.