Asbestos in schools including answers for parents
How can I find out if my child's school
has asbestos?
If a school has asbestos, is my child
safe from exposure?
Do schools have information on where asbestos
is located within their structures?
If the school is being renovated is it
safe for my child to attend?
What happens is asbestos is damaged while
my child is at school?
Answers
How can I find out if my child's school has asbestos?
The school principal should be able to provide you with this
information. Where asbestos is present at the school, an asbestos
register should be in place detailing its location.
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If a school contains asbestos, is my child safe from exposure?
Provided the asbestos material is in good condition (i.e.
wall sheeting not broken or damaged) there is no risk of
exposure from asbestos fibres. The risk to health only exists
where asbestos fibres have been released into the air and
have been inhaled.
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Do schools have information on where asbestos is located
within their structures?
Schools that contain asbestos in structures or fixtures should
have an asbestos register setup that identifies the asbestos
location/s. The register is generally held at the school administration
and in most cases is controlled through the school registrar.
The school principal is able to advise you on where asbestos
is located in the school.
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If the school is being renovated is it safe for my child
to attend?
Yes, the school will have procedures to ensure children
are not exposed to risk by any work being carried out. In
addition any work involving asbestos will were practicable
be undertaken out of school hours. Any work involving asbestos
is controlled through safe working procedures as outlined
under the National
Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition
[NOHSC:2002(2005)].
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What happens if asbestos is damaged while my child is at
school?
The damage must be reported immediately to the school principal
who will ensure that the site is isolated to keep children
and staff out of the area.
The principal will contact the relevant authorities to implement
the appropriate controls of the damage site.
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Other FAQ Categories
General asbestos questions
Health risks
Handling asbestos
Testing for asbestos
Asbestos in remote communities
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