QUESTIONS have been raised over management of asbestos by Waltham Forest council, again, after suspected asbestos dust was removed from the town hall, one year after the authority said all dust and debris had been removed.

When LBWF appeared in court in May of this year it admitted putting staff and visitors in danger by failing to deal with levels of asbestos in the Forest Road town hall.

In court it was revealed in 2002 the authority was warned about asbestos, but no action was taken.

In 2012, a survey discovered all three kinds of asbestos and hundreds of bags of documents were removed from the site because they were contaminated.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted and Waltham Forest council was fined £66,000.

Before sentencing, the authority said it had spent over £300,000 rectifying the problems and that it ‘deeply regretted’ putting people in danger.

However, documents seen by The Guardian have come to light showing that in late 2013, presumed ‘loose asbestos’ was found in the town hall.

A survey was carried out at the council HQ by Spectra Analysis Services Ltd on December 13, 2013 by a Mr Richard Beer.

Documents show that asbestos was found in locations on the second, first, ground floor and basement levels.

It was discovered in electrical cupboards, on floor tiles, in meeting rooms, in a kitchen and a number of corridors.

In July 2012, council staff received an internal message stating the problem had been dealt with.

Some items were ordered to be removed because they were contaminated with ‘asbestos debris’.

It read: “From 24th February - 19th May, the contractor carried out the decontamination work removing all dust and debris. 

“Where positive readings were recorded, any files that were exposed were deemed potentially contaminated. In some areas this is substantial.”

But, documents list nine locations where the ‘material risk score’ is over 10.

This means that these items have the ‘potential to release fibres’.

Then, the ‘material assessment schedule’ lists five locations where items must be removed because of contamination.

In the basement, loose asbestos was presumed, giving the area a risk factor rating of 14.

A council spokesperson said the report does not necessarily suggest the council failed to comply with regulations.

He added: “Asbestos was regularly used in building materials within buildings until the late 1990s, which is why any new and ongoing works that are carried out in the Town Hall are done so in accordance with the Asbestos Management Plan we have in place, and with input from English Heritage.

“As required of any building that was built in the first half of the 20th century, we carry out a programme of ongoing planned and reactive maintenance and improvement works for the Town Hall – and fully adhere to this management plan as part of the process.”

Nick Tiratsoo and Trevor Calver brought the whole case to light when were told documents they requested under the Freedom of Information Act were contaminated with asbestos in 2012.

After contacting the HSE the court case began.

The duo have raised questions about the level of care taken by the council, again.

A joint statement said: “'We are appalled by these latest revelations.

“Clearly, LBWF's claim that it completely removed highly dangerous asbestos contamination from the Town Hall in 2012 lies in tatters.

“In addition, local council taxpayers will wonder why they have had to pay for an asbestos survey of a building used by hundreds of people each day that is in several important respects "confusing". 

“It all goes to show that where asbestos is concerned, the council simply cannot be trusted.”

Many older buildings do contain asbestos which can be managed and remain safely in place.

However, an expert in the field told the Guardian that once it has been identified, it should be managed appropriately so that it does not reach the ‘high risk’ category.

If any building work disturbs the asbestos it should be cleaned and managed immediately.