School asbestos 'is safe' - council
HUNDREDS of schools in Lincolnshire contain potentially harmful asbestos, it has been revealed.
New information from Lincolnshire County Council shows 332 primary and secondary schools across the county contain asbestos.
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More than 80 are primary schools in the Lincoln area and more than 20 are secondary schools in the area.
But the county council, which is responsible for monitoring asbestos containing materials, has said the affected areas are safe.
The authority says it is adhering to Health and Safety Executive guidelines that state that if the asbestos has been deemed safe, it is safer to leave it than to move it.
This is because any disruption could release potentially harmful fibres. But any asbestos considered to be in poor condition has to be removed immediately.
Debbie Barnes, the council's assistant director of children's services, said: "It's safe if it's encapsulated and we would not want to risk that by removing it. If it's in poor condition, subject to regular inspections, then that's where the risk is and we would plan for a removal.
"The guidance is that it is more hazardous to remove it."
"Our schools have been here a considerable time. If we were building schools now, it would be a different."
Asbestos that is in poor condition can cause health problems including mesothelioma – a type of cancer.
It is a mineral fibre added to other materials to strengthen them and it can also be used to provide insulation and fire resistance.
While it is no longer used in the construction of schools or houses, when these county schools were built, it was common practice.
Schools have to use money from their own budget to have asbestos removed should any appear during repair and maintenance work.
4 Comments
by Adam, Crewe
Saturday, June 13 2009, 1:25PM
“Yes, usually, meaning far many more occasions than not.”
by Monika Stoneman, Ealing, London
Wednesday, June 03 2009, 10:51PM
“Usually...”
by Phil, Cheshire
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 9:34PM
“the duty is all about protecting yourself and other people from
exposure to asbestos fibres by managing any asbestos present in a building
properly. It is not about removing all asbestos! If the asbestos is in good condition
and not likely to be disturbed, it is usually safer.
Phil
Health and Safety Practitoner”
by Monika Stoneman, Ealing, London
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 9:23PM
“I can not believe it! How can organizations like schools where there are so many possible accidents and lots of little kids running around leave a deadly substance to threat all concerened for ever? There have been many people and few teachers dying from cancer already, it must be a lesson learned? But we all know why they decided to leave it, dont we, the schools can't afford to have it removed. They rather pay for regular inspections than this risky job. There should be some sort of help available as it is a growing problem, and the casualties will only be known in years to come as this stuf can fester in human body for a long while before it results in an ilness. One is sure, I would not want to work at those schools, or send my children there. Saying that we might have come across it already it has been widely used for so many years, the building boom starting in the 60's till 90's when it was used in most of jobs. Well if it is any concern, they still produce the stuf in Australia...”