Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

The government should take action to produce a comprehensive national register in order to regulate more closely asbestos in schools.

That is according to the British Safety Council, which recently revealed that as many as 16 teacher deaths may be caused by asbestos each year.

Brian Nimick, chief executive of the council, said that ministers must try and do more to assess the risks that pupils and teachers in schools could face due to asbestos.

He added: "In 2009 it is estimated that more than 4,000 people who die from cancers caused by past exposure to asbestos in the workplace - making it the greatest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK."

The National Union of Teachers has now offered its backing to Mr Nimick's proposals, saying it would wholeheartedly support the creation of a register of asbestos in schools and a risk assessment process to support those people using school facilities.

Martin Blakemore, a lawyer at Taylor Vinters specialising in health, safety and compliance work said: "Under current legislation, all sites that have asbestos have to be assessed, surveyed and a proper policy adopted. 

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 are directed to those who manage non-domestic premises. Under its provisions there is responsibility to protect those who work in such premises from the risk to ill health exposure to asbestos causes. The measures are mandatory.

"We have worked with a number of clients to ensure that they satisfy their regulatory obligations."