❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses asbestos management in schools, including reporting, policies, testing, training, and removal plans. The response details existing procedures and rationale for current practices.
AnsweredQoN 1082Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many reports regarding asbestos in schools been received since 2009: (a) what actions, if any, where taken to investigate and address such reports? (2) What documented policies and processes, if any, are in place to identify the presence of hazardous asbestos in schools: (a) where can schools, Regional Offices and Central Office access these documents? (3) Is testing for airborne asbestos particles prescribed as part of the completion of a building condition assessment, and if not, why not? (4) Have any schools with asbestos containing materials been tested for airborne asbestos fibres since the completion of their last building condition assessment, and if so: (a) when were these tests conducted; (b) what were the results of this test; (c) which agency or company conducted the sampling and analysis; and (d) what action was taken as a result of the analysis? (5) What training, if any, do Departmental employees receive in relation to the identification of hazardous asbestos in the workplace for: (a) Schools; (b) Regional Offices; and (c) Central Office? (6) Does the Department have a plan to eliminate all asbestos containing materials from schools?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2013
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Education
Response time
36 days
(1) It is estimated that approximately 250 reports, including telephone calls, pertaining to minor issues regarding asbestos in schools have been received by the Department of Education since 2009.
(a) The actions taken have varied depending upon the nature and significance of each issue. In some cases, the action taken has amounted to providing verbal advice on the telephone to a school principal or business manager; in other cases it has resulted in the removal of some asbestos-containing materials.
(2) The policies and processes relating to asbestos-containing materials in schools are contained in the Department of Education's
Management of Asbestos Containing Material in Schools and Other Workplaces
policy, which is referred to as the Asbestos Management Plan. It outlines procedures for providing information, identification of materials containing asbestos and recording data relating to location, exposure and treatment.
(a) The abovementioned policy is available on the Department's Policies website. A school-specific Asbestos Register is located in each school and at the Central Office of the Department of Education. A copy of the Asbestos Management Plan is also located at each regional education office.
(3) No. Air monitoring is not considered to be a necessary part of the building condition assessment process.
(4) Yes.
(a) During the period February 2011 to June 2013.
(b) In each case, a negative result was reported.
(c) Most of the testing was conducted by Analytical Reference Laboratory (WA) Pty Ltd.
The majority of the remaining testing was arranged by asbestos-removal companies, who arranged air monitoring as part of their management processes while work was in progress at schools.
(d) The action taken in each case was to inform the school of the negative results.
(5)(a)-(c) Information relating to the identification of asbestos in the workplace is contained in the Asbestos Management Plan, which is available to departmental employees in schools, regional education offices and Central Office. This information is also available on the Department's intranet.
(6) No. Asbestos is removed where it represents a hazard. A blanket program of asbestos removal, regardless of risk, is contrary to the principles contained in the occupational safety and health legislation, which operates on the basis that asbestos should only be removed when absolutely necessary and should not be disturbed unless a risk assessment dictates otherwise.
(a) The actions taken have varied depending upon the nature and significance of each issue. In some cases, the action taken has amounted to providing verbal advice on the telephone to a school principal or business manager; in other cases it has resulted in the removal of some asbestos-containing materials.
(2) The policies and processes relating to asbestos-containing materials in schools are contained in the Department of Education's
Management of Asbestos Containing Material in Schools and Other Workplaces
policy, which is referred to as the Asbestos Management Plan. It outlines procedures for providing information, identification of materials containing asbestos and recording data relating to location, exposure and treatment.
(a) The abovementioned policy is available on the Department's Policies website. A school-specific Asbestos Register is located in each school and at the Central Office of the Department of Education. A copy of the Asbestos Management Plan is also located at each regional education office.
(3) No. Air monitoring is not considered to be a necessary part of the building condition assessment process.
(4) Yes.
(a) During the period February 2011 to June 2013.
(b) In each case, a negative result was reported.
(c) Most of the testing was conducted by Analytical Reference Laboratory (WA) Pty Ltd.
The majority of the remaining testing was arranged by asbestos-removal companies, who arranged air monitoring as part of their management processes while work was in progress at schools.
(d) The action taken in each case was to inform the school of the negative results.
(5)(a)-(c) Information relating to the identification of asbestos in the workplace is contained in the Asbestos Management Plan, which is available to departmental employees in schools, regional education offices and Central Office. This information is also available on the Department's intranet.
(6) No. Asbestos is removed where it represents a hazard. A blanket program of asbestos removal, regardless of risk, is contrary to the principles contained in the occupational safety and health legislation, which operates on the basis that asbestos should only be removed when absolutely necessary and should not be disturbed unless a risk assessment dictates otherwise.
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