Anxious parents assured: No asbestos removal during school hours

Sep 10 2009 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

OFFICIALS this week sought to allay parents’ fears that asbestos is to be removed from a Blantyre primary school during school hours.

St Joseph’s, which is situated in Glasgow Road, was built in 1955. However, it is due to be torn down later this year to make way for a new campus.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman confirmed that asbestos is present within the building – but strongly denied that any of the material would be removed while children were in class.

She added: “The council operates a strict policy that no asbestos removal works are carried out in our school buildings during school hours.

“I can therefore confirm that no such works are planned for St Joseph’s Primary School.”

Materials containing asbestos were commonly used in the construction of many property types throughout the UK up to and including the early 1990s.

The spokesman added: “South Lanarkshire Council has undertaken, via its UKAS accredited environmental consultant, a programme of asbestos surveys within all schools, including St Joseph’s Primary School, specifically to identify and risk assess all asbestos-containing materials in all occupied rooms and other areas to ensure that they remain safe for occupation and use.

“Council policy based on Health and Safety Executive guidance recognises that undisturbed asbestos maintained in good condition is safe.

“The policy is therefore to manage asbestos and maintain it in good condition rather than remove it.

“I can confirm that the location type and condition of asbestos present within St Joseph’s Primary School is known, risk assessed, cyclically re-assessed and appropriately managed in accordance with HSE Guidelines and the Control of Asbestos Regulations and remains safe for continued occupation.”

Last month, a concerned parent told the Advertiser he had a telephone conversation with a large building firm rumoured to be involved in asbestos removal at the school.

He claimed that a spokesman had confirmed the removal of the substance at St Joseph’s Primary during the school term.

He said: “I was alarmed to say the least. For myself, and I am sure for all the parents at the school, the safety of the children is paramount. However, I was shocked and worried to hear that my children may be put at risk during building work at the school.

“Obviously they have not started any work yet, but the company wouldn’t tell us any more information about it.”

In July, planners recommended approval of the St Joseph’s Primary blueprint to move the school from Glasgow Road to nearby Park Lane, despite 224 objections and a 603-signature petition in opposition to the plans.