Asbestos? Found in school ...help!!!

[Sturdee]

Finally send copies of this to the TV current affairs shows and/or talk back radio stations like (in Vic) 693-3AW.

After posting this I caught the tail end of a story on Today Tonight about asbestos found lying around in schools, I think it was NSW. At the end of the story there was a reference that their website had links as to what to do if it happened at other schools.

Worth checking out.


Peter.

[jackie123]

Hello Graham, I will PM you shortly probably in the am. Not sure how to do it on the forum but I am sure I can work it out in the morning.

[jackie123]

Hello all, I must say it's been really great having you guys to help me with all this and thanks so much for everyones guidance and help, it's really appreciated. I have been taking your suggestions and putting some of them into action but I have to say still they do nothing to my knowledge.... it's unbelievable. I dont get it!!! honestly am I being overeactive with this? is it not important to anyone? is it not urgent? or is it something that I should just accept? I dont know cause this is how I am starting to feel. It's like asbestos is not an issue. Am I missing something or just being concerned about nothing? Well maybe they are working on something and not telling me? all I can say everything appears the same. Must being getting tired, will keep you posted and if you think of anything else just let me know.

[justinmcf]

hi jackie, you are not being over active, i think you are doing the right thing.
i have been working as a carpenter for 20 years, when i find asbestos on a construction site, i take it very seriously, it is not something we dismiss easily.

the fact that i have to deal with it every other week was the reason i went to the HIA and received the class B licence last year.

there are protocols to handling and removing asbestos, the fact that no one at the school is taking action immediately is bizzare and unprofessional.

it might be time to get professional advice from a building inspector and maybe you should contact a solicitor also. your health is at risk too.

regards, justin.

[Carry Pine]

Here's the Official Dept of Ed NSW Info:

(You probably won't be able to access the links but I'll include some)

Asbestos Fibro

The Department of Education and Training has established a State Contract for the survey of DET facilities. Details regarding this contract can be found in the following Memoranda and brochure information distributed to Principals, Institute Directors and Regional Directors by email on Friday 16th November 2007.
a. DN signed by GM, with b. 2100BrochureB

The survey period is from November 2007 to May 2008.
Once materials testing results are integrated with the survey data an asbestos register will be issued to schools or TAFE. A hardcopy will be provided to schools or TAFE with electronic versions available through the Asset Management System (AMS) accessible by regional Asset Management Unit (AMU) staff.
Asbestos and asbestos containing materials (e.g. Fibro) may be present in school buildings (as building products) and in school grounds, usually as fibro fragments.
What You Need To Know About Asbestos-Containing Materials

The Department has developed a plain English asbestos management guideline titled: What You Need to Know About Asbestos-Containing Materials. It has been developed for use by Principals, staff and the school community. This guideline outlines the processes to be followed if asbestos materials are identified in a school/TAFE site. This publication gives an overview of asbestos and its risks, how DET manages asbestos related issues and sources of information regarding asbestos.

• Please follow the link below for the What You Need To Know About Asbestos-Containing Materials brochure
  
  Download the PDF version here (Size: 111 kB)

Asbestos Management Plan

• Asbestos Management Plan - September 2008 (PDF Size: 2.74 MB)

This is a technical document detailing how asbestos issues are dealt with by DET and the responsibilities within DET and other government agencies.
Use of imported fill on School Sites

A significant number of asbestos remediation projects on school grounds have been required in response to unauthorised imported fill containing asbestos materials and other contaminants. Advice was distributed to principals in 2006 DN/06/00362 which is based on earlier advice in the School Asset Maintenance Guidelines (see page 25 'Development Applications' and page 30 'Grounds Maintenance').

2)

What you need to know about Asbestos-containing materials

Information for NSW Schools and TAFEs - June 2007
Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Asbestos Issue
  
  • What is asbestos and where is it found?
  • Bonded and friable asbestos?
  • When is asbestos a problem?
• I think I have found some asbestos - What happens next?
• Management of Asbestos containting Material
  
  • How does the Department manage asbestos-containintg material?
  • What has the department done so far?
  • What are the methods of controlling asbestos hazards?
  • What are the School's/TAFE responsibilities?
  • How do I know if work on or near asbestos-containing materials is being done safely?
  • What licences and approvals are required by the contractor completing the work?
  • What do I do if it appears unsafe practices are occuring?
• Where can I get more information?
  
  • Department of Education and Training Intranet
  • Other Government websites
  • Asbestos related laws and codes of practice in NSW

3)
What you need to know about Asbestos-containing materials

I think I have found some Asbestos - what happens next?


If you identify a possible asbestos hazard at your School or TAFE:

• Don’t panic – Be reassured that asbestos that is properly managed represents a negligible health risk; and
• Immediately advise the School Principal / College Director.

The School Principal / College Director will:

• See if the material has already been identified in the Asbestos Register (usually located in the main administration area);
• Isolate the immediate area in instances where the material has not previously been identified or where the condition of the material has deteriorated;
• Contact the Department’s Regional Asset Management Unit on 132 779 as soon as possible; and
• Communicate to all affected staff, students and the school / TAFE community as required how the identified hazard is being managed.

The Regional Asset Management Unit will:

• Arrange inspections and testing if necessary;
• Arrange treatment or removal of material if required; and
• Advise when the area can be returned to normal use.

The School Education Director will (for Schools Only):

Assist the School Principal and Asset Management Unit in the communication and management of the asbestos issue on site.

Hope this helps. There is much more (in the links) but it's secret from the public.
Graham