Download and adapt our asbestos management plan template

KeyDoc: asbestos management plan template

Site managers in schools are required to have a plan that sets out in detail how they are going to manage the risk of asbestos. This is explained in guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Our management plan template is based on the following guidance:

• Write your asbestos management plan – HSE
• Managing asbestos in your school – DfE

See an example management plan from the HSE

The HSE also has a sample plan, which includes an action plan and communication plan.

Model policy from The Key

We found that a number of schools refer to asbestos within their wider health and safety policy. 

Use and adapt our model health and safety policy, which includes a section on asbestos and a template asbestos record.

Reviewing your arrangements

You must update your asbestos management plan if:

• There are changes in the identified responsible people or organisations
• You get new information; for example, from refurbishment or demolition surveys
• Work is done that affects asbestos-containing materials
• Asbestos-containing materials are removed, or any damage or deterioration to them is noticed
• Significant building works are undertaken which might confuse the documented location of identified asbestos

When you review your asbestos management arrangements, you should consider questions such as:

• Is the school management team aware of who has overall legal responsibility for managing maintenance and repair?
• Has the duty holder carried out a management survey that highlights the location of asbestos-containing materials?
• Has the duty holder assessed the potential risk from any asbestos-containing materials?
• Does the duty holder have a management plan detailing how to manage the risks from any asbestos-containing materials?
• Are precautions in place to make sure anyone who may disturb any asbestos-containing materials is provided with information about any asbestos present?
• Are any in-house staff members, who may undertake maintenance work, adequately trained?

These questions are outlined in an HSE document called 'asbestos management – checklist for schools'.

See example school policies/plans

Maintained primary in Devon

The asbestos management policy from Hatherleigh Community Primary School covers:

• The maintenance of the asbestos register
• Risk assessment
• The emergency procedure following the disturbance of asbestos

It also sets out this emergency procedure in a flow chart in appendix 2 of the policy.

Secondary academy in Kent

The asbestos management plan from Hayes School includes:

• The responsibilities of the duty holder
• The arrangements required to prevent asbestos-related hazards
• An emergency action plan