Warwick Daily News - 29/09/2009

PARENTS of children in the state education system will have access from next week to an online register of asbestos sites in local schools, Education Minister Geoff Wilson said yesterday.

Concerns continue to be held about the danger of asbestos in schools, with a number in Warwick having undergone removal work within the last two years.

Mr Wilson's office yesterday declined to release details of any further such work scheduled for schools on the Downs and Granite Belt, saying asbestos registers had been available in hard copy at all schools “for some time”.

A spokeswoman said the online listing was intended to give parents even easier access to the information.

Warwick-based asbestos removal specialist Barry Ross of Allstruct said he was confident local schools were correctly maintaining their asbestos registers and management plans as they were required by law.

“The training regimes are in place to spot problem areas and from what I have seen these are working well,” Mr Ross said.

“Schools across the state are working through removal of roof sheeting and vinyl flooring which are two of the main problem areas.”

Asbestos is not considered to pose a health risk in ceilings, walls or flooring unless disturbed or damaged.